If considering an academic program that leads to a professional licensure (example: Education or Nursing), it is recommended students first contact the appropriate licensing agency in their home state prior to starting a program outside their state of residency. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the appropriate licensing entity in the student’s home state to confirm whether a NKU program will meet the requirements for licensure in that state. Although a program may be available in your resident state, there may be additional obligations required by the institution and NKU has the right to determine if program will be available in state of residence.
Though SARA authorizes the University to offer its programs in member states, there is the possibility that other state requirements not covered by SARA (such as requirements from state licensing boards) could necessitate the restriction of certain programs in certain states. Please note that should you choose to enroll in a restricted program in a particular state, there may be restrictions that could affect you. Examples could include:
Additionally, if you move during the course of your studies to a state where your program is restricted, please be aware that you are taking a risk that you may not be able to complete that program or use any of the credit earned in that program should you decide to pursue licensing in that field in that state. Please note that the risks listed above are not exhaustive. Please verify with your state’s professional licensing board that your plans are not impacted by these risks.
Students who are considering an academic program that may allow them to pursue professional licensure in their state or territory are strongly encouraged to check their state’s or territory's information below and contact the appropriate licensing agency to seek information and additional guidance before beginning a program outside of their state.
| Program | States Authorized |
| Accounting, BSBA | A Northern Kentucky University BSBA in Accounting alone will not qualify a student to receive the Certified Public Accountant license in any state. The following factors for CPA exam eligibility vary by state:
Students should check with the state board of the of the state they wish to certify in to verify specific requirements. Click here to access the state board name and website for all 50 states. |
| Accounting, MAcc | For all states. a Master in Accountancy degree will satisfy the requirements to achieve 150 credit hours to sit for the CPA exam. However, the degree alone will not ensure eligibility for any state. The following factors for CPA exam eligibility vary by state:
Students should check with the state board of the state they wish to certify in to verify specific requirements. Click here to access the state board name and website for all 50 states. |
| Program | States Authorized | States not Authorized |
| Social Work, BSW | All states | None |
| Social Work, MSW | All states | None |
| School Counseling, MA | AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, FL, GA, HI, ID, IN, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MT, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NC, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, UT, VT, VA, DC, WV | AK, CT, DE, IL, IO, KS, ME, MO, NV, NY, ND, OK, OR, PR (Unable to determine), SD, TX, WA, WI, WY |
| Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS | AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, CT, DE, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, DC, WI, WY | CA, FL, WA, WV |
| Nursing, RN-BSN | AK, AR, CO, CT, DE, FL, IL, IN, KY, MI, MS, MT, NV, NJ, NM, OH, PR, SC, SD, TX, VT, WV, WI | AL, AZ, CA, GA, HI, ID, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MN, NE, NH, NY, NC, ND, OK, OR, PA, RI, TN, UT, VA, WA, DC, WY |
| Nursing, BSN | All States | None |
| Nursing, MSN + Post Master's Certificates | AK, AR, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MI, MS, MT, NV, NJ, NM, OH, PR, SC, SD, TX, UT, VT, WV, WI | AL, AZ, CA, HI, ID, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MN, MO, NE, NH, NY, NC, ND, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, WA, DC, WY |
| Nursing Practice, DNP: Post Master's | AK, AR, CO, CT, DE, FL, IL, IN, KY, MI, MS, MT, NV, NJ, NM, OH, PR, SC, SD, TX, UT, VT, WV, WI | AL, AZ, CA, GA, HI, ID, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MN, MO, NE, NH, NY, NC, ND, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, WA, DC, WY |
| Nursing Practice, DNP: Nurse Anesthesia | All states | None |
| Respiratory Care, BS | All states | None |
| Radiologic Science, BS | All states | None |
| Radiation Therapy, BS | All states | None |
| Physical Education & Health, P-12 Teaching Certification | This program does not automatically lead to a teaching certificate in any state besides KY. Applicants may be able to obtain KY certification and pursue certification/ licensure through reciprocity recognized by each individual state. Other requirements such as background checks, examinations, additional coursework, etc. may apply. Please visit the state’s Department of Education website for specific licensure/ certification requirements, specifically the section for applicants completing programs in other states. | Unable to determine |
| Athletic Training, BS | All States | Puerto Rico - Unable to determine |
| Athletic Training, MS | All States | Puerto Rico - Unable to determine |
A complete list of educator licensing requirements for each state can be accessed here.
| Program | States Authorized |
| BA: Early Childhood Education (Birth-Kindergarten) | The listed programs at Northern Kentucky University are designed for Kentucky teachers only. Out-of-state candidates who are certified teachers, or seeking certification, should be advised that we cannot guarantee this program will meet licensure, salary, advancement or other requirements in their state. Please see the links to each state Department of Education, Teacher Certification page for more information. |
| BA: Elementary Education (P-5) | The listed programs at Northern Kentucky University are designed for Kentucky teachers only. Out-of-state candidates who are certified teachers, or seeking certification, should be advised that we cannot guarantee this program will meet licensure, salary, advancement or other requirements in their state. Please see the links to each state Department of Education, Teacher Certification page for more information. |
| BA: Secondary Education | The listed programs at Northern Kentucky University are designed for Kentucky teachers only. Out-of-state candidates who are certified teachers, or seeking certification, should be advised that we cannot guarantee this program will meet licensure, salary, advancement or other requirements in their state. Please see the links to each state Department of Education, Teacher Certification page for more information. |
| BA: Middle Grades Education | The listed programs at Northern Kentucky University are designed for Kentucky teachers only. Out-of-state candidates who are certified teachers, or seeking certification, should be advised that we cannot guarantee this program will meet licensure, salary, advancement or other requirements in their state. Please see the links to each state Department of Education, Teacher Certification page for more information. |
BA: Special Education |
The listed programs at Northern Kentucky University are designed for Kentucky teachers only. Out-of-state candidates who are certified teachers, or seeking certification, should be advised that we cannot guarantee this program will meet licensure, salary, advancement or other requirements in their state. Please see the links to each state Department of Education, Teacher Certification page for more information. |
| MA Education: Teacher as Leader | The listed programs at Northern Kentucky University are designed for Kentucky teachers only. Out-of-state candidates who are certified teachers, or seeking certification, should be advised that we cannot guarantee this program will meet licensure, salary, advancement or other requirements in their state. Please see the links to each state Department of Education, Teacher Certification page for more information. |
| Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) | The listed programs at Northern Kentucky University are designed for Kentucky teachers only. Out-of-state candidates who are certified teachers, or seeking certification, should be advised that we cannot guarantee this program will meet licensure, salary, advancement or other requirements in their state. Please see the links to each state Department of Education, Teacher Certification page for more information. |
| Ed.S. Teaching & Leading | The listed programs at Northern Kentucky University are designed for Kentucky teachers only. Out-of-state candidates who are certified teachers, or seeking certification, should be advised that we cannot guarantee this program will meet licensure, salary, advancement or other requirements in their state. Please see the links to each state Department of Education, Teacher Certification page for more information. |
| Ed.S. Educational Leadership | The listed programs at Northern Kentucky University are designed for Kentucky teachers only. Out-of-state candidates who are certified teachers, or seeking certification, should be advised that we cannot guarantee this program will meet licensure, salary, advancement or other requirements in their state. Please see the links to each state Department of Education, Teacher Certification page for more information. |
| Director of Pupil Personnel | The listed programs at Northern Kentucky University are designed for Kentucky teachers only. Out-of-state candidates who are certified teachers, or seeking certification, should be advised that we cannot guarantee this program will meet licensure, salary, advancement or other requirements in their state. Please see the links to each state Department of Education, Teacher Certification page for more information. |
| Superintendent Certification | The listed programs at Northern Kentucky University are designed for Kentucky teachers only. Out-of-state candidates who are certified teachers, or seeking certification, should be advised that we cannot guarantee this program will meet licensure, salary, advancement or other requirements in their state. Please see the links to each state Department of Education, Teacher Certification page for more information. |
| Alternative Certification: Special Education (Learning & Behavioral Disorders K-12) | The listed programs at Northern Kentucky University are designed for Kentucky teachers only. Out-of-state candidates who are certified teachers, or seeking certification, should be advised that we cannot guarantee this program will meet licensure, salary, advancement or other requirements in their state. Please see the links to each state Department of Education, Teacher Certification page for more information. |
| Alternative Certification: Special Education (Moderate & Severe Disabilites K-12) | The listed programs at Northern Kentucky University are designed for Kentucky teachers only. Out-of-state candidates who are certified teachers, or seeking certification, should be advised that we cannot guarantee this program will meet licensure, salary, advancement or other requirements in their state. Please see the links to each state Department of Education, Teacher Certification page for more information. |
