Will Your Degree Lead to a License? Checking Programs for Nursing, Teaching and More
For licensed careers, a degree is only half the requirement. The other half is whether your state’s licensing board will accept it.
Nursing, teaching, counseling, social work, physical therapy, accounting and many other careers require a state license. Each state’s licensing board decides what education counts, and the rules differ from state to state. A program can be fully accredited and still not qualify you for a license where you live.
What colleges must tell you
Under federal rules for schools that take federal student aid, a college must disclose, for each program designed to lead to a professional license, whether the program meets the educational requirements in each state, does not meet them, or whether the school hasn’t determined it. For distance education, schools also have to notify students located in states where the program doesn’t meet requirements.
Look for a “professional licensure disclosure” page on the program’s website, and ask for it if you can’t find it.
Field by field
| Field | Who decides | Extra checks |
|---|---|---|
| Registered nursing | State board of nursing | Program approval by the board; NCLEX pass rates; clinical placements |
| Teaching | State education department | A state-approved educator preparation program; student teaching; licensure exams |
| Counseling | State counseling board | Required credits and supervised hours, which often differ by state |
| Social work | State social work board | Accredited program for many license levels; supervised practice |
| Accounting (CPA) | State board of accountancy | Total credit requirements, often 150 semester hours |
Questions to ask the program
- Does this program meet licensure requirements in my state? Get the answer in writing.
- What are your graduates’ licensing exam pass rates?
- How are clinical placements, internships or student teaching arranged, and do I have to find my own?
- Is the program accredited by the agency my state requires? See college accreditation explained.
- What happens if I move during the program?
Caution: Don’t rely only on an admissions representative’s verbal assurance about licensure. Check the state board’s own website or call it, especially for online or out-of-state programs.
Comparing several licensure programs? The College Scorecard shows debt and earnings by field of study, and our list of questions for admissions representatives covers cost and transfer credit.
In brief
- Licensing requirements are set by each state’s licensing board, not by the college.
- Federal rules require colleges to disclose whether licensure programs meet requirements in each state.
- Nursing programs must be approved by the state board of nursing for graduates to sit for the NCLEX.
- If you might move, check the requirements in the state where you plan to work, not just where you study.
Readers ask
What if the school says it hasn’t determined whether the program meets my state’s requirements?
That’s a legitimate answer under the disclosure rules, but it puts the work on you. Contact your state licensing board directly before enrolling.
Do online programs count for licensure?
They can, but the requirements for clinical hours, student teaching or supervised practice still apply, and some states have extra rules for out-of-state programs. Ask how and where placements are arranged.
Does programmatic accreditation matter for licensure?
Often it does. Some boards require graduation from a program accredited by a specific agency, such as in nursing, counseling, psychology or law.
Admission rules, accreditation status and licensing requirements change. This guide is general information for students in the U.S.; confirm the details with the school, its accreditor or your state licensing board before you enroll.