State Authorization (NC-SARA)
What is state authorization?
State authorization allows institutions to conduct certain educational activities outside their home state (for MSUB, outside of Montana). Each state has unique authorization requirements. The US Department of Education requires institutions be authorized to provide education outside their home state. MSU Billings meets this standard through membership in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) which provides a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education.
Professional Licensure
NC-SARA has worked with the SARA State Portal Entities (SPEs) and regional compacts to create the Professional Licensure Directory, which provides contact information for five programs that lead to a professional license. This professional licensure directory is general contact information, not regulations or requirements.
This resource will NOT house regulations or requirements. It is exclusively general contact information. We will update the contact information twice annually. We hope that this Professional Licensure Directory helps in your regulatory compliance.
Professional licensure information for students can be found under the Student tab.
Professional Licensure Directory
Physical Location Disclosure
Due to federal and individual state regulations, MSUB is limited in providing online courses and programs to students in certain states and countries. Acceptance into an online program or enrollment in an online course is based on where the student is physically located while taking the course(s). Activities such as completing clinical and internship requirements in a location outside of Montana are also governed by these regulations. Therefore, should an enrolled student CHANGE PHYSICAL LOCATION, he/she must notify the Registrar’s Office at least 3 months in advance. This policy applies to students who are taking online courses in a state/country outside of Montana (study abroad) and students who are planning to complete their clinical coursework or internship in a state/country outside of Montana.
Student Complaint Information
How will I know if a program meets professional licensure requirements in states other than Montana?
The curriculum for degree programs at MSUB have been designed to meet the licensure/certification requirements in Montana. Licensure requirements vary by state and can often change. The licensure boards in each state are responsible for setting requirements for licensure/certification in their state. Distance students with the intent of returning or moving to any state other than Montana should be aware of the unique requirements for that state.
View Professional Licensure Program Information
Successful completion of the MSUB Athletic Training program and National Certification
Exam permits students to be eligible for licensure. Currently, 49 states and the
District of Columbia regulate the practice of athletic training. Individuals must
be legally recognized by the appropriate state regulatory agency prior to practicing
athletic training. The BOC exam is recognized by all Athletic Trainer state regulatory
agencies to meet their exam requirement. Compliance with state regulatory requirements
is mandatory and the only avenue to legal athletic training practice. Please find
additional information from the Board of Certification for Athletic Trainers on individual state licensure,
certification, and registration.
States for which MSUB’s Athletic Training program meets the educational requirements for licensure:
All – see link above for licensure, certification, and registration details.
States for which MSUB’s Athletic Training program does NOT meet the educational requirements for licensure:
None
States for which MSUB has not yet determined whether the Athletic Training program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification:
None
MSUBillings’ Applied Behavior program completion meets the educational component eligibility requirement to apply for BCBA certification. However, BCBA has requirements beyond degree completion that must be met before licensure can be applied for or attained.
In all 50 states, there are additional requirements to fulfill before licensure can be attained. These include, but are not limited to: certification from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board and clinical hours. Please see state specific regulatory information
Students who wish to practice in a state other than Montana will have additional licensing
requirements to complete prior to practicing in a state outside of Montana. Prior
to enrollment, students should review the lists below to determine whether this program
meets the educational requirements in a specific state. It is important to note that
all states determine their own requirements. Most states have provisions for individuals,
credentialed in Montana, to teach on a temporary basis while they complete the additional
requirements needed for a specific state. Each state is responsible for its own certification/licensure
requirements. You must contact the office of certification in any state in which you
plan to teach to get the most accurate information on certification requirements.
For details on reciprocity, please review the following resource.
For specific state agencies offering educator certification, please see the professional licensure directory for teacher education. Although each state is different, if you have completed the MSUB teacher preparation program and hold a Montana teaching license, you may qualify for out of state teaching certificates by meeting specific coursework and exam requirements.
States for which MSUB’s teacher preparation programs meet the educational requirements for licensure
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California
- District of Columbia
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Michigan
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- North Dakota
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- Nevada
- Oklahoma
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
States for which MSUB’s teacher preparation programs do NOT meet the educational requirements for licensure
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- New York
- Ohio
- Oregon
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
States for which MSUB has not yet determined whether the teacher preparation programs meet the educational requirements for licensure or certification
- Colorado
- Indiana
- North Carolina
- New Mexico
- Pennsylvania
- Wisconsin
Students who wish to practice in a state other than Montana will likely have additional
licensing requirements to complete prior to practicing in a state outside of Montana.
Nursing regulatory boards outline standards for safe nursing care and issue licenses
to practice nursing. Prior to enrollment, students should review the lists below to
determine whether this program meets the licensing requirements in a specific state.
It is important to note that all states determine their own requirements. Nursing
has compact state licensing. If the state you are licensed in is a compact state (Montana
is), you can take your license and practice as a nurse in any other state which is
a compact state without paying for a license in that state. The NCLEX exam is a national
test, so you also would not have to retest. Varying continuing education (CEU) hours
may apply. See additional information available for nursing licensure from NCSBN Nurse Licensure Compact.
For specific state agencies offering nursing licensure, please see the professional licensure directory for nursing.
States for which MSUB’s Nursing program meets the educational requirements for licensure:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indian
- Iowa
- Kansa
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
States for which MSUB’s Nursing program does NOT meet the educational requirements for licensure:
- Alaska
- Connecticut
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New York
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Washington
- California
- District of Columbia
For specific state agencies offering counseling, psychology, and social work licensure, please see the professional licensure directory.
State by state information forthcoming
Graduates earning the Bachelor of Science in Biology degree with the Medical Lab Science (MLS) option at MSUB are immediately eligible to become nationally certified. Certification is accomplished by passing the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification Medical Laboratory Scientist Exam. See additional information for ASCP Certification here.
The ASCP Board of Certification examinations have been approved for licensure purposes by the state of Montana as well as the following states that require licensure:
- California
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Louisiana
- Nevada
- New York
- North Dakota
- Tennessee
- West Virginia
States without laws requiring licensure of medical laboratory scientists primarily accept ASCP Certification as a qualified credential to perform laboratory testing. See additional state licensure information from the ASCP here.
City College’s Paramedic Program curriculum meets the educational requirements for national certification. Students who complete this degree will be prepared to sit for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) Paramedic Exam.
The Paramedic Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and therefore meets the educational requirements for students to sit for a state licensure exam in all 50 states. See additional information for licensure from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.
City College’s Radiologic Technology curriculum meets the educational requirements for national certification. Students who complete this program will be prepared to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) Exam and apply for state licensure, where applicable, in all 50 states.
Each state administers licensing laws differently. See additional information for licensure from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.
City College’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography (Ultrasound) Program curriculum meets the educational requirements for national certification. Students who complete this degree will be prepared in their area of clinical study to sit for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) and/or the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Sonography (ARRT)(S) examination and pursue state licensure where applicable (New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Oregon).