Professional Licensure Programs & Degrees
Some professions (e.g. speech pathologists, lawyers, teachers, psychologists, etc.) require that you obtain licensure or certification beyond your degree in order to hold a position in that field. Professional Licensure regulations and requirements vary from field to field, and from state to state. Each stateÌýandÌýU.S. territory has an authority, be it public or private, that is responsible for overseeing the licensureÌýrequirements of the various professions in that state.
For students that are considering enrolling in, or are currently enrolled in, a program that leads to professional licensure, CU Boulder strongly recommends you to contact the appropriate department or programÌýto determine the educational requirements and review whether or not the education provided at CU Boulder will allow you to sit for the applicable licensing exam in the state where you are located or intend to later seek employment.Ìý Â鶹ÒùÔº should also consider contacting the applicable licensing board to determine any additional requirements, beyond the degree program, that may need to be fulfilled in order to obtain licensure in a particular state as some licensing boards and states may require additional post-graduation examinations or coursework, additional experience, licensing fees, criminal background checks, or other actions prior to you obtaining licensure.
Below, you can review the list of programs that lead to professional licensure as well as those that have not been designed to lead to licensure, but may assist you in achieving a professional licensure or certification in a field later, as well as the states and territories where, upon completion of your degree, you would be eligible for the licensure exam and the contact information of the applicable state regulating agency.
Please note: Licensing requirements are often evolving, and CU Boulder will make every effort to keep this information up to date, however students are encouraged to inquire with the appropriate licensing board in your state (or the state where you intend to practice or work) in order to ask any questions regarding licensure and confirm that you understand the requirements for licensure or reciprocity.
Current and prospective students will be notified directly via email should it be determined they are applying to or enrolled in academic programs that do not meet the educational requirements for licensureÌýin the state in which they are located.ÌýFor this reason, it is important that CU Boulder students update their location should it change while completing their education.ÌýCurrent students can change or update their locationÌýaddress in Ìýthrough their profile and should regularly review their location information for accuracy.
Degree programs in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) and Audiology are designed to provide a theoretically and clinically rich learning experience for students planning to work as audiologists or speech-language pathologists in medical, educational, and private practice settings. ÌýStates have varied requirements for practitioners of speech-language pathology and audiology (e.g. additional externship hours,Ìýearning theÌý, etc.)ÌýandÌýstudentsÌýare reminded to contact the applicable licensing board in the state where they are planning on looking for employment.
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The University of Colorado Boulder has determined that the education provided in the M.A.-SLP program does not meet educational requirements for licensure in the following territories:
Licensure and certification requirements for Speech-Language Pathology Assistants very by state and may include completion of clinical hours in addition to minimum educational requirements (e.g., associate's degree, bachelors degree, etc.). The Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SPLA) Certificate will not, by itself, meet the SPLA education requirements in any state where licensure for the field is required. The SPLA Certificate at CU Boulder requires a bachelor's degree and/or completion of other educational prerequisites prior to admission, and provides the clinical experience necessary to compliment a student's prior education required for SPLA certification in Colorado.
CU Boulder encourages program applicants to contact the applicable state agency below, regardless of whether or not licensure is required, before applying to the certificate program to determine if the clinical experiences provided would be acceptable by the state or territory as a complement to their education in order to pursue licensure and employment.
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- No Information on SPLA certification available
- SPLA and support personnel not regulated, contact state for more information
- SPLA regulated by state department of education or local school boards
- Clinical hours must be completed in KS and supervised by a KS licensed SLP
In order to obtain a license to practice law, you must become admitted to the bar in the jurisdiction in which you plan to work.Ìý The highest court in each state and territory sets the requirements for admission to practice law. The format of the bar exam will vary by jurisdiction, but may include one or more of the following: the Multi-state Bar Exam (MBE), the Multi-state Performance Test (MPT), the Multi-state Essay Exam (MEE), or the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE).Ìý Colorado Law maintains general information regarding the bar examination, the bar admission process, and reciprocity on its website.Ìý The application process for the bar exam typically requires submitting significant background information so your character and fitness to practice law can be assessed, earning a sufficient score on the bar exam, as well as other other requirements. The National Conference of Bar Examiners provides a , which contains a synopsis of each state’s bar admission requirements - including those beyond the educational requirements - and relevant dates.ÌýÌý
Currently, successful completion of the JD or the LLM at the University of Colorado Boulder, College of Law meets the educational requirements to sit for the bar exam in every state and U.S. territory. Additional requirements beyond your education and application deadlines vary from state to state.Ìý You are encouraged to check the information for the state(s) you are interested in becoming licensed in as soon as possible. Ìý
State & Territory Office's of Attorney Admissions:
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The PhD in Psychology at the University of Colorado Boulder offers doctoral education and training with an optional subplan in clinical psychology, the main goal of which is to train clinical scientists who will produce and apply scientific knowledge in understanding, assessing, preventing, and treating emotional and behavioral problems, and to prepare students for academic and applied research careers.Ìý It has not been designed to train private practitioners.Ìý If private practice is your sole goal, this program may not be the right fit for you.Ìý We are looking for students interested in pursuing a career in academic/research clinical work.Ìý If you have little interest in teaching or research, you might want to consider other programs.
The practice of psychology is regulated at the state level.Ìý Each state licensing authority or board determines the specific educational and training requirements for licensure in their State. The number of clinical and practicum hours vary by state and territory. If you plan on seeking licensure outside of Colorado, please be sure to review the applicable board (below) so that you are able to plan accordingly and obtain the appropriate number of predoctoral hours as required.Ìý Additionally, many states require post-doctoral training as well a additional training and/or examinations beyond the educational requirements.Ìý Please make sure your are aware of any additional licensure requirements.
The University of Colorado Boulder, to the best of its ability, has determined that the curriculum offered in the PhD in Psychology, clinical subplan, meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in each of the states and territories listed below
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The University of Colorado Boulder has determined that the curriculum offered in the PhD in Psychology, clinical subplan, does not meet the educational requirements for licensure or certification in each of the states and territories listed below:
Federated States of Micronesia
PalauÌý
- BS in Business Administration, Accounting Emphasis; Master of Science in Accounting; Master of Science in Taxation
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure requirements are set state by state, but all states require a minimum total 150 credit hours.Ìý The Bachelor's degree in Business with the Accounting Area of Emphasis (120 credit hours) will not, by itself, meet the CPA education requirements of any state.Ìý
Although the Master’s in Accounting and the Master’s in Taxation do not specifically lead to licensure as a CPA, it is possible that the degree and the specific courses taken might count toward licensing requirements in some states.Ìý If you are planning to seek professional licensure as a CPA, it is strongly recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing entity (listed below) in the state in which you plan to practice in order to seek information and guidance regarding licensure requirements and work with your advisor to make sure you’re able to take the required courses.Ìý CPA licensing requirements, including the educational component of those requirements, are state specific and differ greatly from one state to another. Each state’s board of accountancy and other information can also be found by visiting the website of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy at:
While students enrolled in, and planning on graduating from, one of the College of Engineering'sÌý ABET-accredited majors are invited to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, a multiple-choice, knowledge-based exam administered by the (NCEES), several of the College’s baccalaureate academic programs (Architectural, Chemical, Chemical & Biological, and Mechanical) encourage students to take the exam.Ìý Â鶹ÒùÔº enrolled in the Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering programs take the FE exam as part of their degree requirements.Ìý
The FE Exam covers subject matter taught in a typical baccalaureate engineering program accredited by the . Â鶹ÒùÔº may choose from computer-based exams in chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical and computer engineering, environmental engineering, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, and other disciplines. Professional licensing in every U.S. state and territory requires, as the first step, that a student successfully pass the FE exam.
After passing the FE exam, in order to receive licensure in the field students must obtain at least three years of experience deemed acceptable to their licensing board and successfully pass a Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam. The PE exams go beyond testing academic knowledge and require knowledge gained in engineering practice.Ìý If you are planning to seek professional licensure or certification in an engineering-related field, it is strongly recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing entity in the state in which you are located or plan to locate to in order to seek information and guidance regarding additional licensure or certification requirements.Ìý
State Engineer and Surveyor Boards:
The teacher education programs and endorsements at the University of Colorado Boulder do not prepare candidates for teacher licensure exams in states other than Colorado.Ìý If you are planning to seek professional licensure, certification, or an endorsementÌý in a state other than Colorado, it is strongly recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing entity in the state in which you are, or plan to be, located in order to seek information and guidance regarding licensure, certification, or endorsement requirements and how the Colorado license or endorsement may transfer in advance of program completion. If you will have to take an additional course or take a different licensure exam in order to transfer your license, then your contact the correct state agency will allow you to plan for that and avoid surprises.
The University of Colorado Boulder has determined that the education provided in the Teacher Licensure programs and the endorsement programs, meets educational requirements for licensure or endorsement in the following states:
The University of Colorado Boulder has determined that the education provided in the Teacher Licensure programs and the endorsement programs, does not meet educational requirements for licensure in the following states:
The Bachelors in Environmental Design (B-ENVD) at the University of Colorado Boulder is a pioneering and integrative approach to education and research that will shape the future of design.Ìý The B-ENVD program orients students to the creation of healthy and sustainable communities with attention to social justice and economic vitality. Built upon strong traditions within the design fields, including architecture and landscape architecture, we are an inclusive and creative community committed to enriching our built, social and natural environments.ÌýÌý
While completing the B-ENVD at CU Boulder will not by itself meet the education requirements for professional licensure in either architecture or landscape architecture in any state, it is possible that the degree and the specific courses taken might count toward licensing requirements in some states.Ìý If you are planning to eventually seek professional licensure as an architect or landscape architect, it is strongly recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing entity in the state in which you plan to practice in order to seek information and guidance regarding licensure requirements, including the educational component of those requirements. It is important to remember that licensing requirements are state specific, and differ greatly from one state to another.
The does not require individuals working in Geology or Geological Sciences to obtain Professional Geology Licensure, and the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Geological Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder were not developed with the intention to meet other states’ professional licensure requirements. Ìý
If you are planning to seek professional licensure or certification for employment in a state other than Colorado, it is strongly recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing entity in the state in which you are, or plan to be, located in order to seek information and guidance regarding licensure or certification requirements and how the education you receive at the University of Colorado Boulder may assist you in your efforts to gain licensure in that state. Many states require professional geologists to pass the ASBOG Fundamentals of Geology (FG) and/or Practice of Geology (PG) examinations.Ìý Information regarding ASBOG examination specifications can be found atÌý
Questions
If questions remain after reviewing the information provided, please contact the academic department, program or your academic advisor, and the faculty & staff at CU Boulder will do our best to connect you with the information you need.Ìý While we can provide initial guidance -Ìý including whether or not the education you receive at CU Boulder will prepare you for the applicable licensing exam -Ìý it is ultimately your responsibility to confirm all licensing requirements where you intend to seek licensure and employment. Make sureÌýyou understand and consider the implications of the additional requirements prior to enrolling in a program intended to lead to professional licensure. Successful completion of a program at CU Boulder does not guarantee licensure, certification, or employment in an occupation.Ìý CU Boulder shall not be held liable if a student is unable to qualify for licensure or certification in any jurisdiction.
Should you need further assistance or are unsure where to direct your questions, you can also contact the Assistant Director of Academic Compliance and Authorization, atÌýstateauth@colorado.edu.