GENERAL STEPS FOR LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION
Note: The information provided here is general. Always check directly with the state licensing board or certification association that you are applying to in order to learn its specific requirements regarding eligibility, documentation and credential evaluation for foreign-educated candidates.
In order to earn a state license in a regulated profession, you must meet personal and bureaucratic requirements which may incude things like (payment of application fees, offering proof of your immigration, citizenship or residency status etc.) as well as other requirements which can vary by state and profession,
but most often include the following steps:
- Graduation from an approved academic program or its foreign equivalent
- Providing foreign credential evaluation report from an approved agency
- Completion of certain amount of practical experience (clinical programs, internships or paid work)
- Passing professional qualification exam(s)
- Proving your English language competency for foreign-educated candidates
- In some cases, acquiring a certification from a professional association
Once you are successfully licensed or certified, many professions also require ongoing continuing education activities to maintain and upgrade your skills.
In the majority of professions, certification and licensing regulations differ significantly from state to state. Many professions may not have centralized/specialized credential evaluation services and their procedures for recognizing foreign academic credentials may differ. However, certain professions have more uniform state licensure requirements for education, training and examinations. It is extremely important to thoroughly research your profession to fully understand the licensing or certification requirements for your state.
The diagrams and examples below provide a basic preview of the licensing requirements for certain professions. In addition to these examples, please review our Certification and Licensing Pathways by Profession and Health Professions sections for a more comprehensive view of the licensing process in your field.
EXAMPLES
Many health-related professions have lengthy and expensive licensing processes for foreign-trained professionals. For example, in Pharmacy, Dentistry, Medicine and Nursing, foreign-trained candidates must have their foreign credentials and experience evaluated by the relevant professional board in order to qualify for licensing in the U.S.
The information above is provided courtesy of Careers for New Americans.
Many professions, including Engineering, Accountancy, and Architecture have a lengthy but somewhat less complicated licensing process in the U.S. They each have a uniform process overseen by a national professional body which must approve a candidate before state licensing is possible.
The most important and common requirements are education, work experience, and a board examination.
This illustration is provided courtesy of Careers for New Americans.
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