What is State Authorization
State Authorization refers to federal, state and professional licensing board regulations that impact online education offered across state lines. Compliance with these regulations ensures that a degree from Bemidji State University will be recognized. However, the requirements for licensure vary from state to state.
Professional Licensure/Certification
Under SARA regulations, certain disclosures are required for academic programs leading to professional licensure regardless of the modality they are offered. However, at Bemidji State University, these professional academic programs are offered to students and are designed to fulfill the educational prerequisites for licensure only in Minnesota. This means that, when a student graduates from these BSU programs, they have the minimum educational qualifications to apply for Minnesota licensure. For other U.S. states and territories, this may or may not be the case. These educational requirements vary from state to state.
Bemidji State makes every effort to ensure information about educational requirements for licensure or certification information is current; however, state requirements may change. Separate from educational requirements, state licensure boards may require applicants to complete professional examinations, background checks, years of professional experience, jurisprudence exams, etc. If you are planning to pursue professional licensure or certification in a state other than Minnesota, it is strongly recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing entity in that state, territory or country to seek information and guidance regarding licensure or certification requirements before beginning an academic program.
Professional licensure is ultimately the responsibility of the graduate. Licensure and certification are post-graduation processes and cannot be completed without a posted degree. To assist students who now live or may one day live outside of Minnesota, BSU, provides licensing board contact information, educational requirements for licensure and program approval status.
Students seeking such information may use the following resources:
- It is important that you understand the regulations for your state BEFORE enrolling in your academic program. Please check the licensing requirements for the state where you will seek employment.
- NC-SARA has provided a Professional Licensure Directory with contact information for 49-states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands for the following professional areas: Counseling, Nursing, Psychology, Social work and Teacher Education
International Students
It is a student’s responsibility to understand requirements related to whether a particular degree from BSU will be recognized in a country other than the United States.
International students considering an academic program that leads to a professional license should first confirm with the appropriate professional licensing board in their country of residence or the country where they intend to work as to whether a BSU degree will be recognized when seeking licensure.
Undergraduate Programs Customarily Leading to Licensure
The information below indicates one of the three options: the program does meet licensure in all states, the program does not meet the requirements for licensure in all states or the program requirements are undetermined because BSU cannot determine whether the program leads to licensure a state. For these purposes, states include the District of Columbia and the US protectorates, as defined in 34 CFR §600.2.
| Licensure Program | Positive Licensure Determinations | Negative Licensure Determinations | No Licensure Determinations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alcohol & Drug Counselor Certificate | MN | AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY | |
| Accounting | MN | AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY | |
| Professional Education – Elementary, Secondary and Special Education | MN | AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY | |
| Social Work | MN | AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY | |
| Nursing | MN | AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY | |
| Criminal Justice | MN | AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY |