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State Licensure and Certifications

Professional Licensure Disclosures

Purdue Global offers a broad range of academic degree programs, some of which educationally prepare students for a professionally licensed occupation. The licensure requirements in these disciplines, including accounting, health sciences, legal studies, nursing, and psychology vary by state. Purdue Global has provided the licensing information below as guidance and makes every effort to provide current information. However, state regulations are frequently revised. Therefore, prior to beginning a program which educationally prepares students for professional licensure, Purdue Global strongly encourages you to contact the state licensing board where you intend to seek licensure to ensure the program will meet the state’s licensing requirements.

Completion of a Purdue Global degree program is not a guarantee of a graduate’s ability to obtain a state license. Eligibility may depend on work experience, completion of education or degree requirements, not having a criminal record, passing a background check, or meeting other certification requirements.

Students pursuing a professional licensure-track program who move to another state must update their address within the Purdue Global Campus Student Portal and contact a University representative within the first 30 days of moving to discuss their licensure eligibility. See Address Verification for more information.

Current as of October 15, 2025

Accounting Programs

Bachelor of Science in Accounting

Purdue Global's Bachelor of Science in Accounting program was not designed to meet any state-specific requirements for licensure or certification, as a bachelor’s degree does not meet the educational requirements to sit for the Certified Public Accountancy (CPA) exam. See below for additional details.

Master of Science in Accounting

Purdue Global's Master of Science in Accounting program meets the educational requirements to sit for the Certified Public Accountancy (CPA) exam. To practice as a certified public accountant you will need to pass the CPA Exam, meet state-specific educational requirements, and complete state required work experience where applicable. 

Graduate Certificate in Accounting

Purdue Global's Graduate Certificate in Accounting program is designed to help you prepare for the Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Examination.

The Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Master of Science in Accounting, and Graduate Certificate in Accounting programs are designed to help students prepare to sit for the Uniform Certified Public Accounting Exam. Please note that students cannot earn their CPA certification by earning a college degree alone, as most states have additional requirements.

Guidance provided by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) recommends that you will first need to determine what state you plan to sit for the CPA Exam in, since the education requirements to sit for the CPA Exam vary by state. Some states require 120 total semester hours (180 quarter credit hours) to qualify to sit for the exam, while most states require 150 total semester hours (225 quarter credit hours).

Purdue Global’s Bachelor of Science in Accounting program is 180 quarter credit hours and the Master of Science in Accounting program is 52 quarter credit hours. You may need to complete Purdue Global's Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Master of Science in Accounting, or their equivalents, to meet state eligibility requirements.

In addition to academic degree requirements, some state licensing board regulations may require additional semester/credit hours in accounting or business courses in order to sit for the CPA Exam. Other state-specific, non-academic requirements can include, but are not limited to, work experience and residency. As a result, Purdue Global strongly encourages you to review the requirements for the state in which you intend to sit for the CPA Exam, which can be found at the Accountancy Licensing Library.

State licensing board contact information and state-specific educational requirements are available through the links below.

State Licensing Boards
 

Health Sciences Programs

Purdue Global's Bachelor of Science in Nutrition is an approved holistic nutrition education program through the National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP) only when it is completed with the holistic nutrition concentration.

Purdue Global's Bachelor of Science in Nutrition program is not accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) and does not qualify an individual to sit for the examination to become a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). RDNs are food and nutrition experts with a degree from an accredited dietetics program and who completed a supervised practice requirement, hold a master's degree, passed a national exam, and continue professional development throughout their careers” (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics).

Purdue Global's BS in Nutrition is not an ACEND-accredited program. Students wishing to pursue the RDN credential after obtaining the BS in Nutrition will need to complete an ACEND-accredited master's program and complete the supervised practice requirement.

State Requirements

In addition, some states will not permit individuals to become licensed/registered in nutrition and/or dietetics if they do not possess the registered dietitian nutritionist (RD/RDN) credential. If you are interested in becoming licensed in your state, it is vital that you understand your state’s requirements for licensing prior to enrollment.

States in Which There Is Currently No Nutrition Licensure or Practice Law:

  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Michigan


State Certification and Licensure Requirements

The Commission on Dietetic Registration is a good resource to research state board and agency statutes and regulations. For individual state certification and/or licensure requirements, visit the following sites:

In order to pursue examinations and/or preprofessional experiences, you may be required to present documentation of a health assessment/physical examination, immunization records, drug screening results, and/or a background check. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have met all requirements prior to beginning examinations and/or preprofessional coursework/externships.

Students are strongly encouraged to refer to the sponsor organization for specific eligibility requirements as there may be additional requirements beyond the degree program itself. Requirements vary by state.

For students who complete the Bachelor of Science in Nutrition with the holistic nutrition concentration only, visit: Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition® sponsored by the National Association of Nutrition Professionals (https://nanp.org/).

The Medical Assistant Certificate program is designed to prepare you with clinical and administrative skills to provide outstanding patient care. The program is structured to provide appropriate academic preparation in pursuing national certification as a medical assistant. Prior to or upon graduation from the program, you may be eligible to take the following certifications examinations:

  • Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) examination given by the American Association of Medical Assistants
  • Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) examination given by the American Medical Technologists
  • National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA) exam given by the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)
  • Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam given by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
  • Clinical Medical Assistant Certification (CMAC) examination given by the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA).

A choice of one of these national credentialing exams is included as part of your program and expected to be completed during MA295 Medical Assisting Externship and Evaluation.

You are responsible for understanding the requirements of optional certification exams. The University cannot guarantee students will be eligible to sit for or pass exams. In some cases, work experience, additional coursework beyond the Purdue Global program, fieldwork, and/or background checks may be necessary to be eligible to take or to successfully pass the exams.

State Regulating Bodies

Licensure and/or certification as well as the scope of practice for medical assistants is a state decision and because regulations frequently change, students are strongly encouraged to review their state's requirements prior to enrollment. The following are links to the regulating bodies in each state:

Education Programs

Purdue Global education programs are not approved in any state for certification, endorsement, or licensure. They will not lead to any of these designations for teachers, principals, or superintendents.

Nursing Programs

Enrollment for all Associate of Science in Nursing Pathways is limited to students who are able to access University-authorized locations in Council Bluffs, Iowa; Des Moines, Iowa; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Waterville, Maine.

Graduates of the Associate of Science in Nursing program are academically eligible for registered nursing licensure in the following states and territories:

  • Alabama
  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • District of Columbia
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming
  • Guam
  • Puerto Rico

State Board of Nursing Approvals

Iowa

The Associate of Science in Nursing program is approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing.

Iowa Board of Nursing 
400 SW 8th Street, Suite B 
Des Moines, IA 50303-4685 
Tel: 515-281-3255

Upon successful completion of the Associate of Science in Nursing, graduates are academically prepared to apply to take the national licensure examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN®). Graduates of the Associate of Science in Nursing program are academically eligible for registered nursing licensure in Iowa.

Maine

The Associate of Science in Nursing program is granted initial approval by the Maine State Board of Nursing.

Maine State Board of Nursing 
161 Capitol Street 
Augusta, ME 04330 
Tel: 207-287-1133

Upon successful completion of the Associate of Science in Nursing, graduates are academically prepared to apply to take the national licensure examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN®). Graduates of the Associate of Science in Nursing program are academically eligible for registered nursing licensure in Maine.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing—RN-to-BSN program emphasizes professional growth and lifelong learning by building upon a foundation of the arts, sciences, and humanities. Program outcomes promote leadership in a culturally diverse and global health care system that is rapidly changing. Graduates are prepared to provide direct and indirect care for individuals, families, communities, and populations. The RN-to-BSN program option provides registered nurses with the education to enhance their skills, better meet the complex demands of health care, and pursue employment in numerous nursing management and practice specialties. Finally, the program is designed as a foundation to support registered nurses interested in pursuing graduate nursing studies.

State Requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing—RN-to-BSN is not available to residents of the following states/territory:

  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Tennessee
  • Wisconsin

Graduates of the Master Science in Nursing program who earn nurse practitioner certification are academically eligible for licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse in the following states and territories:

  • Alabama
  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • District of Columbia
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming
  • Puerto Rico
  • Guam

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a practice-focused terminal nursing degree. Driving safe, quality care through interprofessional collaboration, evidence-based practice, and complex technology, the DNP-prepared nurse catalyzes progressive change within systems and organizations. 

The DNP degree:

  • Prepares nurses to be culturally competent leaders in the transformation of global health care with an emphasis on advanced clinical practice, leadership, health care policy, information systems, and health care delivery systems

  • Prepares nurses to practice at the highest level of nursing; analyze data and scientific research to improve nursing practice; provide organizational and system leadership to continuously improve quality of health care and foster interprofessional collaboration; and evaluate ethical, legal, and social factors in shaping and developing health policies

The Doctor of Nursing Practice program is not available to residents of the following states and territories:

  • Hawaii
  • Louisiana
  • New York
  • Tennessee
  • Utah
  • Washington
  • Guam
  • Virgin Islands

Acute Care Certifications

Upon completion of the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Postgraduate Certificate, the Master of Science in Nursing’s adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner population focus area, or the Master of Science in Nursing—DNP Path's adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner population focus area, eligible graduates may sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner certification or the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses’ Acute Care Nurse Practitioner certification. These are acute care certifications. After earning either certification, graduates are academically eligible for licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse.

Primary Care Certifications

Upon completion of the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Postgraduate Certificate, the Master of Science in Nursing’s adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner population focus area, or the Master of Science in Nursing — DNP Path’s adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner population focus area, eligible graduates may sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner certification or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners’ Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner certification. These are primary care certifications. After earning either certification, graduates are academically eligible for licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse.

Upon completion of the Family Nurse Practitioner, Primary Care Postgraduate Certificate, the Master of Science in Nursing’s family nurse practitioner, primary care population focus area, or the Master of Science in Nursing — DNP Path’s family nurse practitioner, primary care population focus area, eligible graduates may sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Family Nurse Practitioner certification or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners’ Family Nurse Practitioner certification. These are primary care certifications. After earning either certification, graduates are academically eligible for licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse.

Upon completion of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Postgraduate Certificate, the Master of Science in Nursing’s psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner population focus area, or the Master of Science in Nursing — DNP Path's  psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner population focus area, eligible graduates may sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners’ Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certification. Both certifications address populations across the lifespan. After earning a certification, graduates are academically eligible for licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse.

State Requirements

Graduates of the Purdue Global nurse practitioner certificate programs are academically eligible to pursue licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse in the following states and territory:

  • Alabama
  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • District of Columbia
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming
  • Puerto Rico

Psychology Programs, Addictions

Purdue Global’s Bachelor of Science in Psychology in Addictions; Master of Science in Psychology, addictions concentration; and Graduate Certificate in Addictions are accredited by the National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission (NASAC). The NASAC can be contacted at:

44 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 301 
Alexandria, VA 22314 
Tel: 703-562-0211 
Website: https://nasac-accreditation.org

The NAADAC (The Association for Addiction Professionals) has designated Purdue Global as an Approved Education Provider for meeting nationally approved standards of education for the addiction counseling profession. Students who complete the Master of Science in Psychology with a concentration in addictions program or the Graduate Certificate in Addictions will meet the coursework requirements to take the optional NAADAC Master Addictions Counselor (MAC) certification examination.

Note that additional requirements must also be completed to take the optional MAC examination, including degree, field experience, and licensure requirements. Refer to https://www.naadac.org/mac for full eligibility requirements.

The NAADAC can be contacted at:

44 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 301
Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel: 703-741-7686
Website: https://www.naadac.org

State Requirements

Master of Science in Psychology, Addictions Concentration

Purdue Global’s Master of Science in Psychology, addictions concentration meets the educational requirements to sit for licensure in the following states. These states do not have a separate licensing board. American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands are not specified as they do not have boards that oversee addiction treatment licensing.

Purdue Global’s Master of Science in Psychology, addictions concentration, meets the educational requirements to sit for certification in the following states. These states have their own specific licensing boards that students must reference for additional requirements.

Purdue Global’s Master of Science in Psychology, addictions concentration does not meet the educational requirements for certification in the following states:

You are responsible for understanding the requirements of optional certification exams. Such requirements may change during the course of your program. You are not automatically certified in any way upon program completion. Although certain programs are designed to prepare you to take various optional certification exams, Purdue Global cannot guarantee you will be eligible to take these exams or become certified, as your eligibility may depend on work experience, completion of education and/or degree requirements, not having a criminal record, and meeting other certification requirements.

Psychology Programs, Applied Behavior Analysis

For the Bachelor of Science in Psychology in Applied Behavior Analysis and the Applied Behavior Analysis Postbaccalaureate Certificate programs, the Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified the following courses toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® (BCaBA®) examination (via Pathway 2). Applicants will need to meet additional Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®) eligibility requirements, including evidence of residency in an authorized country, before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination.

  • PS225: Ethics in Applied Behavior Analysis
  • PS340: Exceptional Needs Children
  • PS360: Applied Behavior Analysis I
  • PS365: Applied Behavior Analysis II
  • PS385: Targeted Topics in Applied Behavior Analysis
  • PS410: Screening and Assessment
  • PS430: Program Design and Evaluation

Students seeking employment as a behavior analyst should inquire directly to the jurisdiction where employment is desired, as some states require additional licensure or certification. The BACB U.S. state licensure requirements may be viewed at the following link: https://www.bacb.com/u-s-licensure-of-behavior-analysts/.

For the Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis and the Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis programs, the Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified the following courses toward the coursework requirements for eligibility to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) examination (via Pathway 2). Applicants will need to meet additional Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®) eligibility requirements, including evidence of residency in an authorized country, before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination.

  • PS507: Ethics for Behavior Analysts
  • PS558: Behaviorism and Philosophical Foundations of Applied Behavior Analysis
  • PS560: Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis
  • PS561: Concepts of Measurement and Experimental Designs
  • PS562: Assessment in Applied Behavior Analysis
  • PS563: Implementing Procedures for Behavior Change
  • PS564: Clinical Applications, Supervision, and Management

Students seeking employment as a behavior analyst should inquire directly to the jurisdiction where employment is desired, as some states require additional licensure or certification. The BACB U.S. state licensure requirements may be viewed at the following link: https://www.bacb.com/u-s-licensure-of-behavior-analysts/.

The Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis and Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis meet the educational requirements to pursue behavior specialist licensure in Pennsylvania. Additional educational requirements for licensure may be required in Pennsylvania.

Purdue Global Law School

Enrollment limited to the following:

  • Residents of California, Connecticut, or Indiana, or students who attest that they are planning to seek employment in California, Connecticut, or Indiana.
  • Residents of North Carolina or Wisconsin who acknowledge the requirement to first possess a law license in either California, Connecticut, or Indiana prior to applying to sit for the state bar in North Carolina or Wisconsin.
  • Students who attest that they are planning to seek employment in North Carolina or Wisconsin and acknowledge the requirement to first possess a law license in either California, Connecticut, or Indiana prior to applying to sit for the state bar in North Carolina or Wisconsin. 

Study at, or graduation from, this law school does not qualify you to take the bar examination or  to satisfy the requirements for admission to practice in jurisdictions other than California, Connecticut, or — with an approved petition — Indiana. Purdue Global Law School cannot guarantee that any individual’s waiver petition will be granted. Graduates who earned their JD degree in 2024 or later are eligible upon graduation to sit for the Connecticut Bar Exam through 2027, at which time Purdue Global Law School will seek renewal. After receiving a law license in California, Connecticut, or Indiana, graduates may also apply to sit for the state bar in North Carolina and Wisconsin.

State Bar Exam Eligibility

As a graduate of the Juris Doctor (JD) program, you are academically eligible to sit for the California, Connecticut, or — with an approved petition — Indiana bar exams.

California

There will be additional eligibility requirements to be admitted to the California or Indiana bar exams. For more information, visit https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Admissions.

Connecticut

Purdue Global Law School is approved by the Connecticut Bar Examining Committee through 2027, at which point Purdue Global Law School will seek renewal. As a graduate of the JD program in 2024 or later, you will be academically eligible to sit for the bar exam in Connecticut.

Indiana

As a graduate of the JD program, you may be eligible to sit for the bar exam in the state of Indiana (without having to first become licensed in California) if you submit a petition, pursuant to Indiana Admissions and Discipline Rule 13, to the Indiana Board of Law Examiners to waive the requirement of having attended an ABA-approved law school and that petition is approved. NOTE: Purdue Global Law School cannot guarantee that any individual’s waiver petition will be granted. For more information, visit https://myble.courts.in.gov/admission-information

Additional States

Upon receipt of a California, Connecticut, or Indiana law license, graduates may also apply to sit for the state bar in North Carolina and Wisconsin.

Students are responsible for understanding the requirements of optional certification exams. Such requirements may change during the course of the program. Students are not automatically certified in any way upon program completion. Although certain programs are designed to prepare you to take various optional certification exams, Purdue Global cannot guarantee you will be eligible to take these exams or become certified. Eligibility may depend on work experience, completion of education and/or degree requirements, not having a criminal record, and meeting other certification requirements.