Professional Licensures

Professional Licensure

The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) offers degree programs that may lead to professional licensure, and licensure requirements vary from one profession to another and from state to state. If you are interested in obtaining professional licensure, please refer to the links below to confirm with the appropriate licensing body in the state where you intend to practice. UAH has made every effort to provide accurate information; however, state laws/regulations are subject to change at any time. Enrolled and prospective students are strongly encouraged to contact their state’s licensing body for information and guidance on licensure requirements for the state where they are located or where they plan to practice.

Per the Department of Education (September 2020):

Regulated professions in the United States are generally licensed at the state level, and most licensed professions require some formal postsecondary education or training as a prerequisite for entry. The competent authority for recognizing professional qualifications is generally the appropriate state or territorial licensing authority in the jurisdiction where one intends to work.

Since professional licensure is generally regulated at the state level, it is usually necessary to obtain a separate license for each state in which one wishes to practice. In some instances, reciprocity agreements are in place to make it easier for someone who already holds a license in one state to obtain a license in another state. However, the degree to which such reciprocity exists can vary widely depending on the profession and the states involved.

The term “certification” generally refers to a function administered by a nongovernmental organization, which is intended to further recognize professional competence based on having met the quality standards of the organization.

Professional licensure and certification requirements vary from state to state. Federal Regulations 34 CFR §668.72(c)2 and 34 CFR §668.43(a)(5)(v) require UAH to provide public or general disclosures on educational programs designed to meet educational requirements for a specific professional license or certification, that is required for employment in an occupation, or is advertised as meeting such requirements.

These disclosures are strictly limited to the program’s determination of whether its educational program, if successfully completed, would be sufficient to meet the educational licensure requirements in a particular state. This determination is based on the educational and curricular requirements of each state for licensure (excluding any special or temporary licensure that may be granted) and does not imply that other requirements for licensure do not exist or have been determined to have been met by this program or that any necessary approvals for clinical placements have been secured at the time of enrollment. UAH cannot provide verification of an individual’s ability to meet licensure or certification requirements unrelated to its educational programming. Such individual determinations are made by state licensing boards. These disclosures do not provide any guarantee that any particular state licensure or certification entity will approve or deny a student’s application.

Out-of-state applicants click here to determine whether the University is authorized or accepting applications from the state where you are currently residing, or if any special restrictions exist for your academic program of interest. For more information on the University's specialized academic program accreditation, click here.

Possible Changes in Licensing Requirements

Licensure information on this site is reviewed and updated in the Spring of every year. While UAH has made every effort to provide accurate information, state laws and regulations are subject to change at any time. A student who intends to pursue licensure outside of the state of Alabama should check with their state’s licensing board for changes in requirements. Changes in educational requirements may impact the program’s ability to meet any new educational requirements for licensure in a student’s home state. Enrolled and prospective students are strongly encouraged to contact their state’s licensing body for information and guidance on licensure requirements for the state where they are located or where they plan to be licensed.

Relocating during the course of a program

Licensing and authorization requirements vary by state, and relocating during the course of a program to another state may impact a student’s course of study. Specifically, a student may not be able to continue in their chosen program, meet the eligibility requirements of the new state, and/or receive financial aid for their program of study. Students considering relocating during the course of a program should contact the new state’s licensure board to check for authorization and licensure eligibility requirements.