As part of HELP’s Behind the Curtain series, we’re spotlighting the experts and rigorous research that make The Bookmark a trusted licensure resource. Check out the other posts in the series, including conversations with Nan Kalke, Emily Bogus, and The Bookmark research team.
Kris Maul, Co-Founder and Principal, Higher Education Licensure Pros
When colleges and universities need help navigating the maze of professional licensure requirements, they often turn to one of the nation’s leading experts: Kris Maul, JD.
As Co-Founder and Principal of Higher Education Licensure Pros (HELP), Kris brings more than 15 years of experience in higher education licensure compliance, regulation, and policy.
Before launching HELP, he spent over a decade leading state authorization and professional licensure efforts at a large online university – work that gave him a deep understanding of how complex, nuanced, and essential this compliance can be for institutional success and student outcomes.
Today, Kris is recognized nationally as a subject matter expert in professional licensure and state authorization. He has presented at major conferences and compliance events including WCET, NASASPS, and regional SARA meetings, helping institutional leaders interpret policy shifts, strengthen their compliance programs, and translate regulation into student-centered practice.
Staying Ahead in a Changing Landscape
Over the years, Kris has worked with hundreds of colleges and universities across the country – public, private, nonprofit, for-profit, large research universities, and small community colleges alike. Through that experience, one theme has stood out: the institutions that excel at licensure compliance embrace change rather than resist it.
“Like any compliance work, there will be changes,” Kris says. “The best teams approach it with a willingness to roll with things as they come.”
That’s where The Bookmark, HELP’s signature platform, comes in. The Bookmark is the only tool in the market that houses thoroughly researched licensure information for every U.S. state and territory – all in one place. Each entry is curated by trained legal researchers and verified by experts like Kris, ensuring institutions can trust the data they rely on.
“Our members get direct email alerts whenever educational requirements change,” Kris explains. “And within The Bookmark, they can see a full update history showing what changed, when, and for which license type. It keeps everything in one place so compliance teams can spend less time tracking updates and more time focusing on students.”
Compliance with Purpose
While some institutions approach licensure compliance as a box-checking exercise, Kris urges a shift in perspective and one that focuses on student success and public trust.
“There are different attitudes to compliance,” he says. “Some focus on the bare minimum – what do we have to do to comply? But the real purpose of these regulations is to protect students and taxpayers.”
The U.S. Department of Education designed licensure regulations to ensure that graduates are eligible for licensure and employment where they plan to work. Enrolling students in programs that don’t meet those standards risks not only noncompliance, but students’ futures.
“When institutions design policies and processes around that intent – helping students reach their goal of being employed in their profession – they create stronger, more meaningful compliance programs,” Kris says.
The People Behind the Work
When asked what he enjoys most about working with HELP clients and Bookmark members, Kris’s answer reflects both humility and admiration.
“The folks who handle licensure compliance are some of the most genuine people at colleges and universities,” he says. “They’re usually juggling many responsibilities, but they still make time to do this work right because they know how much it matters to students.”
That commitment – to doing the work right, for the right reasons – is what drives both Kris and HELP’s mission.
“At the end of the day, it’s about helping students succeed and, ultimately, strengthening our communities,” Kris says. “That’s why we do what we do.”
About Kris Maul, JD
Kris Maul is Co-Founder and Principal of Higher Education Licensure Pros (HELP), where he leads client engagement and compliance expertise for higher education institutions nationwide.
A nationally recognized subject matter expert, Kris has presented at conferences and programs hosted by WCET, NC-SARA, and NASASPS on topics related to state authorization, professional licensure, and student consumer protection. His work bridges regulation and practice – helping institutions translate complex regulation into actionable, student-centered compliance programs.
Why Teams Trust The Bookmark
The Bookmark by Higher Education Licensure Pros is the only platform with verified, up-to-date licensure information for every state and territory, curated by legal researchers and verified by experts like Nan, so your institution can stay compliant and focused on student success.
Explore The Bookmark → https://www.higheredlicensurepros.com/the-bookmark
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