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In 2022, more than 20% of workers held a license to practice in their field, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That includes millions of jobs in high-demand fields like healthcare and education.
These days, a growing number of fields require you to have a professional license in order to work. But what is a professional license exactly?
A license allows professionals to work in their field. Without a medical license, for example, surgeons can't legally perform surgery. And without a teaching license, educators can't legally teach in public schools. A local, state, or federal agency can award professional licenses.
Jobs in business, engineering, law, counseling, and allied health also require a professional license. For example, lawyers need to pass their state's bar exam in order to practice.
If you're considering a career in a field that requires professional licensure, make sure you understand your state's licensure requirements — which often include earning your degree from an accredited school or program.
Choosing the wrong program for your degree could derail your career before it even starts.
Jobs That Require a Professional License
Today, many jobs in healthcare, social services, education, business, architecture, and engineering require state licensure. You'll also need a license for certain trades and vocations.
For nearly all of these jobs, state agencies process licensure applications, review qualifications, and issue licenses.
In most cases, you'll need a degree from an accredited school and program to receive a professional license. State licensure requirements vary, so it's important that you research the licensing process and degree requirements for your state before applying to any programs.
Here are the most common industries today that require a professional license.
Did You Know...
Today, 1 in 4 jobs require a professional license, up from just 1 in 20 in the 1960s!
Business
Many business careers benefit from professional certification, but only a few require it. You need a professional license to become a certified public accountant (CPA), one of the most popular business career paths.
To qualify for an accounting license, you must complete 150 postsecondary credits and pass the CPA exam. The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy provides more info on how to get a CPA license.
Researching business programs? Make sure you understand business school accreditation before you enroll.
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Healthcare
Many healthcare careers require a state-issued license. You must meet licensure requirements to start your career in allied health, medicine, nursing, or dentistry. You also must typically graduate from an accredited healthcare program.
| Job | Licensure Requirements | States Requiring Licensure | Programmatic Accreditor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist | Must have an associate degree from an accredited dental hygienist program and pass written and clinical exams | All states — contact your state dental board for details | CODA |
| Dentist | Must have a doctorate from an accredited dental program and pass written and clinical exams | All states — contact your state dental board for details | CODA |
| Dietitian or Nutritionist | Must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited nutrition program, complete supervised practice, and pass an exam | Most states — contact your state nutrition board for details | ACEND |
| Doctor or Surgeon | Must have a doctorate from an accredited medical school, complete residency, and pass exams | All states — contact your state medical board for details | LCME |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) | Must have a certificate or diploma from an accredited practical nursing program and pass the NCLEX-PN exam | All states — contact your state nursing board for details | ACEN |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | Must have an associate or bachelor's degree from an accredited RN program and pass the NCLEX-RN exam | All states — contact your state nursing board for details | ACEN and CCNE |
| Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) | Must have an RN license and master's degree from an accredited APRN program and pass a national exam | All states — contact your state nursing board for details | ACEN and CCNE |
| Occupational Therapist | Must have a master's degree from an accredited occupational therapy program and pass a national exam | All states — contact your state occupational therapy board for details | ACOTE |
| Pharmacist | Must have a doctorate from an accredited pharmacy program and pass two exams | All states — contact your state pharmacy board for details | ACPE |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | Must have an associate degree from an accredited physical therapist assistant program and pass a national exam | All states — contact your state physical therapy board for details | CAPTE |
| Physical Therapist | Must have a doctorate from an accredited physical therapy program and pass a national exam | All states — contact your state physical therapy board for details | CAPTE |
| Radiologic Technologist | Must have an associate degree from an accredited radiologic technology program and pass an exam | Most states — contact your state radiologic technology board for details | JRCERT |
| Veterinary Technologist or Technician | Must have an associate or bachelor's degree from an accredited vet tech program and pass an exam | Most states — contact your state veterinary board for details | AVMA |
| Veterinarian | Must have a doctorate from an accredited veterinary school and pass a national exam (and sometimes state exam) | All states — contact your state veterinary board for details | AVMA |
Did You Know...
Healthcare jobs are the most likely to require a professional license, followed by careers in the legal and education fields.
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Education
Most teachers and principals need a professional license to qualify for public school jobs — and over 80% of K-12 teachers in the U.S. work at public schools.
- K-12 Teachers: Teachers at the elementary and secondary level need a state-issued license to work in public schools. After earning a bachelor's degree from an accredited teaching program, you must pass exams and apply for a teaching license or certification from your state.
- Principals and School Administrators: In most states, public school K-12 principals and some other school administrators need a license. Typically, principals need a master's in education. Check with your state department of education for more info on licensing requirements.
While many education careers in public schools require a professional license, private school teachers and administrators generally do not need a license.
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Psychology and Social Services
Careers in community and social services, including roles like counselor, therapist, psychologist, and social worker, generally require a professional license.
Since some career paths do not require licensure, it's important to understand the requirements for each career and state. Learn more about psychology accreditation before you apply to psychology programs.
| Job | Licensure Requirements | States Requiring Licensure | Programmatic Accreditor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical Social Worker | Must have a master's degree from an accredited social work program, complete supervised clinical experience, and pass a clinical exam | All states — contact your state social work board for details | CSWE |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | Must have a master's degree from an accredited therapy program, complete supervised clinical experience, and pass an exam | All states — contact your state therapy board for details | CACREP, AAMFT, and MPCAC |
| Mental Health Counselor | Must have a master's degree from an accredited counseling program, complete supervised clinical experience, and pass an exam | All states — contact your state counseling board for details | CACREP and MPCAC |
| Psychologist | Must have a doctorate from an accredited psychology program, complete supervised professional experience, and pass an exam | All states — contact your state psychology board for details | APA and MPCAC |
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Trades and Vocations
Many trades and vocational careers require you to have a professional license. For example, electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians often need a license in order to practice.
Before applying to trade school, make sure to check the licensure requirements for your field and state. In addition, confirm that your trade school is accredited.
Here are some popular trades that require a professional license:
- Aviation Jobs: While most professional licenses are issued by state boards, aviation careers require a federal license. The Federal Aviation Administration licenses pilots, mechanics, and air traffic controllers.
- Barbers and Cosmetologists: In all states, barbers, hair stylists, and cosmetologists need a professional license. Typically, you must attend a state-approved program and pass a licensing exam. The National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology provides more information on state licensure requirements.
- Funeral Service Workers: Most states require professional licensure for funeral service workers, including morticians and funeral directors. The process typically requires you to earn a degree from a program accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education. Check the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards for more info on state licensure.
- Massage Therapists: Many states require massage therapists to be licensed, which entails completing an approved program and passing an exam. The American Massage Therapy Association provides more info on state regulations.
Did You Know...
Some of this decade's fastest-growing vocations include solar photovoltaic installers (27% projected job growth) and physical therapist assistants (26% projected job growth), according to the BLS.
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Architecture and Engineering
Professional licenses ensure that architects and engineers understand key safety requirements and regulations. As a result, architects and many types of engineers need a license to practice.
Some engineering careers don't require a professional license, though. For example, computer engineers and many chemical engineers do not need a license to work.
| Job | Licensure Requirements | States Requiring Licensure | Programmatic Accreditor |
| Architect | Must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited architecture program, complete a paid internship, and pass an exam | All states — contact your state architecture board for details | NAAB |
| Professional Engineer | Must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited engineering program, have ample work experience, and pass an exam | All states — contact your state engineering board for details | ABET |
| Landscape Architect | Must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited landscape architecture program, complete supervised practical experience, and pass an exam | All states — contact your state landscape architecture board for details | LAAB |
Law
All practicing attorneys must have a professional license. To practice law, you must pass the bar exam and be admitted to your state's bar.
Most aspiring lawyers must also attend a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. The National Conference of Bar Examiners provides resources on states' licensure requirements.
Many other legal careers, including paralegals and legal assistants, do not require a professional license. Even so, professional certification can help paralegals qualify for jobs.
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Programmatic Accreditation and State Licensure
State licensure ensures that professionals have the required knowledge and skills to practice in their field.
That said, state licensing boards can't evaluate the quality of every degree-granting program in the country. As a result, licensing boards often rely on programmatic accreditation to assess quality.
Here's how it works: Independent accrediting agencies review programs in fields that require state licensure. For example, social workers must graduate from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education to receive a social work license.
If you attend an unaccredited program, you might not qualify for a license — which means you can't work in your field.
There are some exceptions, though. In nursing, for example, states may approve nursing schools that do not hold programmatic accreditation. Lawyers can sit for the bar exam without attending an ABA-accredited law school in some states as well.
Because many career paths need a professional license and the requirements vary by field and state, it's critical that you research state licensure before applying to any programs.
Remember, you want to start your career on the right path by choosing an accredited program that meets licensure requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions About Professional Licensure
Generally speaking, professional licenses are mandatory and state-issued, whereas professional certifications are voluntary credentials you can seek from organizations to advance in your field and emphasize your skills.
State agencies issue professional licenses that allow people to work in healthcare, counseling, teaching, and other fields.
Professional certification, in contrast, is usually a voluntary process that recognizes skills and experience. Often offered by professional associations, certification demonstrates competencies but usually is not legally required to practice.
State licensure is the process of issuing professional licenses. In each state, agencies evaluate applications and issue licenses. For most licenses, you'll need a degree from an accredited school and passing scores on a licensing exam.
The exact requirements and process vary depending on the state and field, so research state licensure before choosing a career path.
State licensing boards issue most professional licenses. For example, your state's Board of Education issues teaching licenses, while the Board of Medical Examiners issues medical licenses.
You can search online to find the board that issues professional licenses in your field and state. Depending on the type of license, you may have to submit paperwork, complete an application process, and pass an exam to receive your license.
Yes, most professional licenses must be renewed regularly. Depending on the license, you might need to renew it every 2-10 years.
The renewal process often includes fulfilling continuing education requirements. Many states also charge a renewal fee. Check the renewal requirements and process in your state to keep your license valid.
Most professional licenses require you to earn a degree from an accredited program and school. In many cases, that means you'll need to attend a program approved by the field's programmatic accrediting agency.
Be sure to research programmatic accreditation before applying, as you might not be able to qualify for a professional license if you attend an unaccredited program.