Credentialing boards determine the requirements for licensure and certification. Typically, they require a combination of the following:
Do some states have specific credentialing requirements?
While most certifications are national and have the same requirements in every state, requirements for occupational licenses vary by state.
Not all states license the same occupations and for those that do, requirements can differ substantially. If you hold a license in one state but plan to relocate to another state, you need to find out if that state requires a license for your occupation and if it recognizes your license.
Some states will give consideration to individuals licensed in another state. For example the licensing board may:
Recognize licenses granted by other states as equivalent, called "reciprocity."
Issue a license based on the individual having met similar requirements out-of-state, called "endorsement" or "license by credentials."
Credit equivalent out-of-state training, education, and examinations.
Even if a state recognizes another's license, you may still need to take an exam or pay a fee. Check with the state licensing board to find out more about the specific requirements.
You can obtain state licensing board contact information from the "Licensed Occupations" section of the U.S. Department of Labor's America's Career Information Network.
