Top 5 Things to Know About Licensure: Before you choose your degree program!
Do you want to be a nurse, social worker, school counselor, or principal? Or one of the hundreds of other professions or occupations that require permission to work in that field? As you plan your career path and research degree programs, you likely already know that these careers require a license or certificate from the state you want to work in. But do you know if the program you choose will help you get that license?
So many factors go into choosing a degree or program. Cost, time, reputation, opportunity for research, location, student demographics, and more. But one important, yet often overlooked, factor is if you’ll be able to work in your state after you receive your degree.
In order for your education to pay off, you must figure out if your program meets the professional licensing or certification requirements in your state. If it doesn’t, you may be stuck with a big bill - and no job.
What is licensure anyway? A state’s government provides a license as permission for someone to practice a profession in that state. A license is required in order to practice, or in other words work, in that field in that state. Sometimes a state calls this permission certification or registration. The U.S. Department of Education has general information about licensure available on their website.
The names of licenses, their requirements, and other specifics - such as if the state has a single license and or a tiered system, vary from state to state. A state licensing board or agency typically has legal authority to issue licenses, set application processes and resolve complaints against licensed professionals. Understanding how the state licensing board or agency will review your license application is critical to ensuring you can do your job in that state.
Licensure is high stakes! According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics*, a professional license or certification is required for nearly 25% of positions in the U.S. In 2018, more than 43 million people in the United States held a professional certification or license. Qualifying for a license or certification is now a critical part of many people’s career paths - and is likely part of yours.
Licensure is different in every state. Each state gets to determine which professions or occupations require a license or certification, and what the educational requirements are to earn it. The information that colleges and universities provide also varies. Many colleges and universities provide information only on licensure availability in the state where their campus is located. This is not enough! Because licensure is determined by each state, qualifying for a license in one state does not mean that a graduate will necessarily qualify in another state. You need to know how to get licensed in the state in which you want to work.
As you research degree programs, here are the most important things to know about professional licensure or certification before you enroll in a program:
You shouldn’t have to figure this out on your own. Has the college or university determined if the program meets your state’s licensing requirements? If this is not clearly stated on their website, ask. If it is not, ask why it isn't. Universities and colleges are required by federal and state law to figure it out or tell prospective students that they haven’t yet figured this out, and then provide you with the information to contact your state’s licensing board or agency.
While it’s true that licensure boards and agencies ultimately make the decision on each individual’s application, colleges and universities know their programs better than anyone else, and should be able to provide you with information on how the program meets the educational requirements in your state. If you aren’t getting all the answers or support you need from the college or university, we can HELP! Schedule an appointment for licensure coaching.
Accreditation -- specialized and institutional. For all professional and many occupational licenses, states require the student to complete a program from a college or university that is regionally accredited. This type of accreditation is known as institutional accreditation. This means that the educational institution is accredited at the college or university level, not for a specific degree or program. Many states also require completion of a program that holds specialized accreditation. This is at the school, degree, or program level. These accreditations are typically connected to one specific profession--for example, counseling or nursing.
Coursework. Many states require students to complete specific courses in order to meet educational requirements for a license. These courses may or may not be required for programs based in other states. For example, in Arkansas and California licensed professional counselors need to complete a course in psychopharmacology, which may not be a standard, required course for master’s programs in counseling. Also, many licenses have a specific number of credits required for the degree. You may even have to prove you have completed a certain number of credits in specific course content areas. Aligning courses can be overwhelming! If you need support, set up a licensure coaching session with us!
Field or Clinical Experience. Many states require students to receive supervised, hands-on experience in the field as part of their program. This often includes the student completing a practicum or internship. These are a specific number of hours or credits, specific activities, supervisor qualifications and other detailed requirements. Be sure the college or university can help you complete a practicum or internship in your state, and that they can support your field or clinical experiences.
Exam prep. After a student completes their degree program, they need to apply for a license from the state. Since you will likely be required to pass a licensing exam in your state (most states require this), be sure your degree program has integrated test preparation or offers support to prepare students for the exam. If not, expect to spend a few hundred to over a thousand dollars, and lots of time, on exam preparation.
If you need support figuring out your pathway to licensure, we can HELP! We provide licensure coaching so that you can have confidence knowing your state’s requirements and how your degree program lines up. Contact us today.
*Evan Cunningham, "Professional certifications and occupational licenses: evidence from the Current Population Survey," Monthly Labor Review, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, June 2019, https://doi.org/10.21916/mlr.2019.15.