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State Authorization & Professional Licensure

National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA)

Ohio University is approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education to Participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement.

The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) establishes a state-level reciprocity process that will support the nation in its efforts to increase the educational attainment of its people by making state authorization:

  • more efficient, effective, and uniform in regard to necessary and reasonable standards of practice that could span states;
  • more effective in dealing with quality and integrity issues that have arisen in some online/ distance education offerings; and
  • less costly for states and institutions and, thereby, the students they serve.

State Authorization

State authorization allows accredited universities to offer academic programs to students nationwide. Ohio University has a committee working to identify state board regulations for the varying programs that we offer, and seek approvals, so you can participate in our programs wherever you are. Our committee makes every effort to ensure licensure information is current; however, licensure regulations are frequently revised.  

Ohio University is approved to offer licensure degree programs in the state of Ohio, which may also lead to license reciprocity from state-to-state. This includes all types of classroom delivery such as face-to-face, online, and hybrid programs. If you are considering a licensure program, we highly recommend that you contact the appropriate licensing agency in your state, or the state in which you plan to practice, to seek information and additional guidance before beginning the program.

Professional Licensure Programs and Degrees

Certain professions (e.g. healthcare, teaching, social work, etc) require that you obtain licensure or certification beyond your degree to be employed in that field. Professional Licensure regulations and requirements vary from field to field, and from state to state. Each state and U.S. territory has an authority, be it public or private, that is responsible for overseeing the licensure requirements of the various professions in that state.

If you live outside Ohio and are considering enrolling in a program that leads to professional license or certification, we strongly encourage you to contact the appropriate state licensing agency in your state or the state in which you intend to work to seek the most up-to-date information about state licensure requirements before enrolling in the program. Ohio University makes every effort to ensure licensure information is current; however, licensure regulations change frequently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did I receive an email about professional licensure?

Certain professions (e.g. health care, teaching, social work, etc.) require that you obtain licensure or certification beyond your degree to be employed in that field. Professional licensure regulations and requirements vary by profession and by state. Effective July 1, 2024, the U.S. Department of Education requires institutions to provide public disclosures whether programs “meet” or “do not meet” education requirements in any state where students are located for purposes of receiving instruction.

Ohio University is committed to complying with federal regulations and demonstrating transparency. You received a professional licensure disclosure notice because:

  1. You are considering enrollment in a professional licensure program, and the University is required to disclose to you the determination we’ve made regarding licensure requirements for your intended program; or
  2. You are currently enrolled in a professional licensure program.

What is professional licensure?

A professional licensure program is an academic program that is intended to (or advertised to) satisfy educational prerequisites for a state-issued professional license, certification, or other credential offered by a third party that is required for employment in an occupation.

In what states does my degree program satisfy the educational requirements for professional licensure and in what states does it not?

This page details, to the best of our knowledge, whether or not the licensure programs Ohio University offers meet educational requirements in each state. Links to state professional associations, or licensing authorities, are provided. However, state requirements may change at the discretion of the state licensing board. In addition to educational requirements, state licensure boards may require completion of professional examinations, years of experience, application and licensing fees, fingerprint submissions, criminal background checks, etc. Continuing education may also be required for maintenance of licensure or certification. OHIO’s licensure programs are designed to meet the education requirements in the state of Ohio and may meet educational requirements in other states. If you are planning to pursue professional licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio,  we strongly recommend that you seek guidance from the appropriate agency in that state.

How does Ohio University determine my location?

Ohio University determines the location of a student for the purposes of providing accurate professional licensure disclosures and reporting in compliance with Ohio University Policy 12.022: Student Address and Location .

I am an Athens campus residential student (or expect to be) but my permanent address is not in the state of Ohio. Why does the professional licensure disclosure email say that my location is in the state of Ohio?

According to Ohio University Policy 12.022: Student Address and Location, students who have a residence hall address or indication of intent to reside in university housing are considered to be located in Ohio.

Why am I required to complete the attestation form?

If you are identified as located in a state where your chosen professional licensure program does not meet educational requirements for licensure at the time of initial enrollment in the program, federal regulations prohibit OHIO from enrolling you in the program. However, if you intend to seek licensure and employment in a state where the program does meet licensing requirements after graduation, you may provide a statement (or attestation) of where you intend to seek licensure and employment after completing the program.

OHIO has implemented this student attestation process to ensure that students are fully informed about how the University's professional licensure programs align with the educational standards of a state or territory, empowering them to make informed decisions about their education and future career paths.

My address has changed. What should I do?

You can update your address by accessing  MyOHIO Student Center. In addition, address updates may be reported to Registrar Services by completing a Change of Address [PDF] form. The completed form (must include student signature) can be mailed to the Office of the University Registrar, Chubb Hall, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio 45701; fax 740.593.0216. For more information please review how to update your Current Living Address on your desktop or mobile/tablet device.

I plan to change my major to a licensure program. What should I do?

If you change your major to a professional licensure program (or add a licensure program as a major), the requirement to complete an attestation form will depend on whether the program you have chosen meets professional licensure requirements in the state where you are located.

What if the program I am interested in requires that I already have a license to be admitted?

Programs that require a professional license as an admission requirement do not require an attestation. Please contact the student services team for your college or campus.

Where can I learn more about professional licensure?

If you have questions about licensure or OHIO graduates’ eligibility to pursue licensure in a specific state, contact the student services team for your college or campus.

State Authorization Tables

State Authorization List By Program

The list below indicates, to the best of our knowledge, whether or not the licensure programs we offer meet educational requirements in each state. Links to state professional associations, or licensing authorities, are provided in the list and we urge you to seek guidance from the appropriate agency in your state.

Educational requirements for state licensure are subject to change. Ohio University updates its determinations on an annual basis or when we are notified of a change in state requirements.

How to use these tables

To locate your program, click on the department/college below to jump down to the correct table. Once you've located the appropriate table, type in your state or the degree program in the table search bar. 

Click on the college below to jump to the correct table.

  • College of Business 
    • Accounting
  • College of Engineering (Bachelor's)
    • Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Industrial Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
  • Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts
    • Interior Architecture, Music Education, Music Therapy
  • College of Arts and Sciences 
    • Clinical Psychology, Ph.D.
  • College of Education 
    • Adolescent Young Adult (AYA), Art Education Pk12, Clinical Mental Health, Computer Technology, Early Childhood Education, Educational Administration, Family and Consumer Science, Health and Physical Education, Middle Childhood Education, Pre-Kindergarten, Principal Leadership, School Counselor, Special Education, Superintendent Leadership, Theater Education Pk12
  • Osteopathic College of Medicine 
    • Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
  • College of Health Sciences and Professions 
    • Athletic Training, Audiology, Child and Family Services, Community and Public Health, DNP Nurse Anesthesia, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Environmental Health, Exercise Physiology, Food and Nutrition Studies, Medical Assistant, Nursing, Nutrition, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Public Health, RN to BSN online, School Nurse Licensure, Social Work, Speech Language Pathology 
 

College of Business

Search for your state in the search bar below.

 

College of Engineering (Bachelor's)

Programs include: Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Industrial Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Search for your state, or program, in the search bar below.

College of Fine Arts

Programs Include: Interior Architecture, Music Education, Music Therapy

Search for your state, or program, in the search bar below.

 

College of Education

Programs Include: Adolescent Young Adult (AYA), Art Education Pk12, Clinical Mental Health, Computer Technology, Early Childhood Education, Educational Administration, Family and Consumer Science, Health and Physical Education, Middle Childhood Education, Pre-Kindergarten, Principal Leadership, School Counselor, Special Education, Superintendent Leadership, Theater Education Pk12

Search for your state, or program, in the search bar below.

 

College of Arts and Sciences

Search for your state in the search bar below.

Osteopathic College of Medicine

Search for your state in the search bar below.

 

College of Health Sciences and Professions

Programs Include: Athletic Training, Audiology, Child and Family Services, Community and Public Health, DNP Nurse Anesthesia, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Environmental Health, Exercise Physiology, Food and Nutrition Studies, Medical Assistant, Nursing, Nutrition, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, Public Health, RN to BSN online, School Nurse Licensure, Social Work, Speech Language Pathology 

Search for your state, or program, in the search bar below.

 

Complaint Resolution

Ohio University strives to provide the highest quality educational opportunities available. However, if a conflict does arise, our efforts are meant to resolve your grievances, complaints, and concerns in an expeditious, fair, and amicable manner.

If an issue cannot be resolved by Ohio University’s internal processes, a complaint involving allegations of fraudulent activity, including the provision of false or misleading information, may be brought to the Ohio Department of Higher Education, including the SARA portal entity (opens in a new window). The SARA portal entity in the state where the student is located will be notified that the complaint was received and may assist as needed. Resolution of the complaint by the SARA portal entity in the institution's home state is final.

Accreditation and Academic Matters: Ohio University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). For more information about OHIO's accreditation or to file a complaint regarding academic matters, please contact Cary Frith, Chief of Staff, at provost@ohio.edu

Equity and Civil Rights: All discrimination, equity issues, equal opportunity obligations (including affirmative action), and efforts to fulfill ADA/504 requirements should be sent to the Office of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance.