Updated: Top 5 Things to Know About Licensure Before You Choose Your Degree Program
Do you want to be a nurse, a social worker, a school counselor, or a 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. What you might not know is that choosing the wrong degree program can keep you from getting it.
So many factors go into choosing a degree or program—cost, time, reputation, research opportunities, location, student demographics, and more. But one important, yet often overlooked, factor is whether you’ll be able to work in your state after you receive your degree.
You must figure out if your program meets the professional licensing or certification requirements in the state where you want to work. If it doesn’t, you may be stuck with a big bill - and no job.
What is licensure anyway? Licensure is the state’s official permission slip that allows you to work in a particular profession. A license is required to practice, or in other words, work, in that field in that state. Sometimes a state refers to this permission as “certification” or “registration.” If you want the big-picture definition, the U.S. Department of Education has general information about licensure available on its website.
License titles, requirements, and other specifics - such as tiered licensure - 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 Statistics (2019) and the National Conference of State Legislators (2022), roughly one in four jobs in the U.S. require a professional license or certification. That means qualifying for a license isn’t a niche concern anymore; it’s a defining step in many career paths - and is likely part of yours.
Licensure is different in every state. Every state determines which professions or occupations require a license or certification, and what the educational requirements are to earn it. Some colleges and universities only provide information on licensure availability in the state where their campus is located. This is not enough! Because licensure rules differ by state, qualifying for a license in one state does not mean that a graduate will necessarily qualify in another state. The requirements that matter to you are the ones in the state where you plan to work, so be sure you know them before you choose your program.
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 for it. Federal and state law requires colleges and universities to determine whether their programs meet or do not meet licensure requirements in the states in which they enroll students. They must disclose this information to students.
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 most licenses, states require students to complete a program at a regionally accredited college or university. Regional accreditation is “institutional accreditation,” meaning the entire institution meets quality standards. Institutional accreditation is not for a specific degree or program. But many states go a step further and also require completion of a program that holds specialized accreditation, which applies to a particular school, degree, or program within the institution. These accreditations are tied directly to the profession — for example, counseling, nursing, and teaching.
Coursework. Many states require specific courses to qualify for a license. These courses may or may not be required for programs based in other states. For example, Arkansas and California both require licensed professional counselors to complete a psychopharmacology course, which may not be included in the degree program. 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. These experiences often include 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 can support your field or clinical experiences.
Exam prep. Since you will likely be required to pass a licensing exam in your state (most states do), be sure your degree program has integrated test preparation or offers support to help students prepare 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 you can have confidence in understanding your state’s requirements and how your degree program aligns. Contact us today.
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Cunningham, E. (2019). Professional certifications and occupational licenses: evidence from the Current Population Survey. Monthly Labor Review. https://doi.org/10.21916/mlr.2019.15
National Council of State Legislators. (2022). The National Occupational Licensing Database. https://www.ncsl.org/labor-and-employment/the-national-occupational-licensing-database
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