Professional licensure in the United States

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In the United States, the state governments have jurisdiction for issuing most professional licenses to individuals and corporations. In areas that naturally cross states' borders, the national government may be the issuer. Thus the Federal Aviation Administration certificates pilots and other aviation related professionals, such as mechanics and instructors. The Federal Communications Commission certifies persons operating and repairing amateur and many (depending on their power and frequencies) commercial radio transmitters. The Environmental Protection Agency requires that technicians recycling Freon be examined. In many of these areas the federal government approves organizations (and for the FAA designated pilot examiners) to test and certify applicants who meet its standards. [1]

Contents

Fields that are regulated and licensed vary among individual states. Among regulated fields are health care professionals (medical doctors, nurses); psychologists; lawyers; teachers; engineers; social workers; occupational therapists; architects; tradesmen (plumbers, electricians); certain service industry workers (bartenders, massage therapists, barbers); and accounting professionals (CPA), [2] [3] among others.

It is now possible to verify an individual state license in all states online, via websites set up by each state government, through different agencies. Some private websites provide links to all such databases, in one location.

License standards and issues

Licensing standards can differ widely from state to state, and the fields and occupations which states require to be licensed may differ widely. Some states may require a written examination for a license, while others may require several years of field experience as a student or intern, or both.

The requirements regarding who must be licensed may include uncommon or strange licenses; for example, four states require licensing for interior designers. [4] The State of Illinois requires four exams to become a nail stylist. [5]

On the other hand, there are states which do not license potentially dangerous professions such as radiologic technicians, despite their delivering ionizing radiation to the general public. This is an example of a less-standardized licensure that is part of the licensing debate. For example, the gold standard in radiologic technician is a JCERT accredited 24-month program, but some states allow for only 6-week programs. [6]

There is often debate about the level and type of regulation needed. For example, Texas' law regarding horse floaters has been debated since at least 2007, as state regulations which prohibit horse floating by anyone who is not a licensed veterinarian, regardless of experience. [4]

Some standards and procedures are the product of state boards working together. For example, the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is a medical exam which was created by the Federation of State Medical Boards.

Immigration law

Individuals' ability to receive state or local public benefits, which includes professional and commercial licensure, is dependent on their particular immigration status. Certain non-citizens may be barred from licensure based on their visa type or other immigration considerations. [7]

Related Research Articles

Professional certification, trade certification, or professional designation, often called simply certification or qualification, is a designation earned by a person to assure qualification to perform a job or task. Not all certifications that use post-nominal letters are an acknowledgement of educational achievement, or an agency appointed to safeguard the public interest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Respiratory therapist</span> Practitioner in cardio-pulmonary medicine

A respiratory therapist is a specialized healthcare practitioner trained in critical care and cardio-pulmonary medicine in order to work therapeutically with people who have acute critical conditions, cardiac and pulmonary disease. Respiratory therapists graduate from a college or university with a degree in respiratory therapy and have passed a national board certifying examination. The NBRC is responsible for credentialing as a CRT, or RRT,

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psychologist</span> Professional who evaluates, diagnoses, treats and studies behavior and mental processes

A psychologist is a professional who practices psychology and studies mental states, perceptual, cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior. Their work often involves the experimentation, observation, and interpretation of how individuals relate to each other and to their environments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Certified Public Accountant</span> Title of qualified accountants in many countries

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is the title of qualified accountants in numerous countries in the English-speaking world. It is generally equivalent to the title of chartered accountant in other English-speaking countries. In the United States, the CPA is a license to provide accounting services to the public. It is awarded by each of the 50 states for practice in that state. Additionally, all states except Hawaii have passed mobility laws to allow CPAs from other states to practice in their state. State licensing requirements vary, but the minimum standard requirements include passing the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination, 150 semester units of college education, and one year of accounting-related experience.

Regulation and licensure in engineering is established by various jurisdictions of the world to encourage life, public welfare, safety, well-being, then environment and other interests of the general public and to define the licensure process through which an engineer becomes licensed to practice engineering and to provide professional services and products to the public.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Medical license</span> Occupational license that permits a person to legally practice medicine

A medical license is an occupational license that permits a person to legally practice medicine. In most countries, a person must have a medical license bestowed either by a specified government-approved professional association or a government agency before they can practice medicine. Licenses are not granted automatically to all people with medical degrees. A medical school graduate must receive a license to practice medicine to legally be called a physician. The process typically requires testing by a medical board. The medical license is the documentation of authority to practice medicine within a certain locality. An active license is also required to practice medicine as an assistant physician, a physician assistant or a clinical officer in jurisdictions with authorizing legislation.

A dietitian, medical dietitian, or dietician is an expert in identifying and treating disease-related malnutrition and in conducting medical nutrition therapy, for example designing an enteral tube feeding regimen or mitigating the effects of cancer cachexia. Many dietitians work in hospitals and usually see specific patients where a nutritional assessment and intervention has been requested by a doctor or nurse, for example if a patient has lost their ability to swallow or requires artificial nutrition due to intestinal failure. Dietitians are regulated healthcare professionals licensed to assess, diagnose, and treat such problems. In the United Kingdom, dietitian is a 'protected title', meaning identifying yourself as a dietitian without appropriate education and registration is prohibited by law.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cosmetology</span> Study and application of beauty treatment

Cosmetology is the study and application of beauty treatment. Branches of specialty include hairstyling, skin care, cosmetics, manicures/pedicures, non-permanent hair removal such as waxing and sugaring, and permanent hair removal processes such as electrology and intense pulsed light (IPL).

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) is a licensure for mental health professionals in some countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nursing in the United States</span> Overview of nursing in the United States of America

Nurses in the United States practice nursing in a wide variety of specialties and departments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Recreational therapy</span> Form of therapy

Recreational therapy or therapeutic recreation (TR) is a systematic process that utilizes recreation (leisure) and other activities as interventions to address the assessed needs of individuals with illnesses and/or disabling conditions, as a means to psychological and physical health, recovery and well-being. Recreational therapy may also be simply referred to as recreation therapy, but in short, it is the utilization and enhancement of leisure.

The American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) is a professional membership association that serves medical imaging technologists, radiation therapists, and radiologic science students. The organization, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico provides its members with ongoing education and professional development opportunities.

The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) is a national professional certification agency for healthcare workers in the United States. Granting credentials in more than 8 allied health specialties, it is an organizational member of the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA). The National Healthcareer Association partners with educational institutions nationwide with over 350,000 certified individuals. It is one of the largest certification and continuing education providers. The National Healthcareer Association works with health training institutions, hospitals, unions, and the US Defense Department through DANTES; it has approved over 2400 training/testing locations throughout the US and in several countries. These institutions offer allied health programs and use the national certification as their "End Of Program Credential." Healthcare professional certification is different from a license such as a Registered Nurse, or a licensed practical nurse. Although certification is not state mandated and/or regulated in all 50 states, most employers and industry organizations prefer their employees to be certified.

The California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) was established in 1929 as the Contractors License Bureau under the Department of Professional and Vocational Standards. Today it is part of the California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA).

Occupational licensing, also called licensure, is a form of government regulation requiring a license to pursue a particular profession or vocation for compensation. It is related to occupational closure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Health professional requisites</span> Regulations used by countries

Health professional requisites refer to the regulations used by countries to control the quality of health workers practicing in their jurisdictions and to control the size of the health labour market. They include licensure, certification and proof of minimum training for regulated health professions.

A licensed behavior analyst is a type of behavioral health professional in the United States. They have at least a master's degree, and sometimes a doctorate, in behavior analysis or a related field. Behavior analysts apply radical behaviorism, or applied behavior analysis, to people.

Practicing without a license is the act of working without the licensure offered for that occupation, in a particular jurisdiction. Most activities that require licensure also have penalties for practicing without a valid, current license. In some jurisdictions, a license is offered but not required for some professions.

Credentialing is the process of establishing the qualifications of licensed medical professionals and assessing their background and legitimacy.

References

  1. Section 608 Technician Certification
  2. "Professional Licensure | International Affairs Office".
  3. "Getting Started on Becoming a Certified Public Accountant".
  4. 1 2 Of Horse teeth and liberty, The Economist, 10/27/07.
  5. (225 ILCS 410/) Article IIIC, Nail stylist, Section 3C-7, Illinois State Law: Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, and Nail Technology Act of 1985.
  6. (www.asrt.org)
  7. 8 U.S.C.   § 1621

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See also