Professional Licensure – Rhode Island

Licensing Agency

Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner

Georgia Southern University is authorized to operate in Rhode Island through mutual participation in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). 

Athletic Training (on-campus)

Rhode Island

Rhode Island Department of Health: Athletic Training Licensing

National

Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer

Licensure Disclosure

Rhode Island requires graduation from an athletic training program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training (CAATE), and then passing the Board of Certification (BOC) Examination. Completion of Georgia Southern’s MS in Athletic Training program meets the educational requirement for certification as an athletic trainer.

Accounting (on-campus or distance education)

Rhode Island

Accountancy Board of Rhode Island

National

National Association of State Boards of Accountancy

Distance Education Program

Georgia Southern University is authorized to deliver the WebMAcc program in Rhode Island through mutual participation in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). 

Licensure Disclosures

Applicants must have 150 total semester hours of education to apply. Coupled with an undergraduate accounting degree or an appropriate number of accounting courses, completion of Georgia Southern’s Master of Accounting (WebMAcc/MAcc) program meets the educational requirements to sit for the uniform CPA exam which is the first step towards CPA licensure in Rhode Island. 

Rhode Island requires the AICPA ethics exam to obtain a CPA license. Georgia Southern University’s Master of Accounting program meets the educational requirements for ethics education that prepare students to sit for the appropriate ethics exams.

Communication Sciences and Disorders (on-campus)

National

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Rhode Island

State of Rhode Island Department of Health

Licensure Disclosure

Applicants for a license as a Speech Language Pathologist must hold a master’s degree from an ASHA-accredited educational program and must hold a current ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP). Applicants must have 9 months of full-time post-graduate professional employment experience. Applicants for a conditional license must have a master’s degree from an ASHA-accredited educational program and must have passed the Praxis exam. Conditional licensees then complete the 36 weeks of post-graduate experience. The Master of Science (M.S.) in speech-language pathology at Georgia Southern University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and prepares students to sit for the Praxis exam and become ASHA certified, thus the program meets educational requirements for the conditional license in the state of Rhode Island.

Education (on-campus or distance education)

Rhode Island Department of Education

Distance Education Disclosure

Georgia Southern is authorized to offer the following online programs in Rhode Island through mutual participation in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA): Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Education in Curriculum Instruction – Accomplished Teaching, Master of Education in Educational Leadership, Master of Education in Instructional Technology, Graduate Certificate in Instructional Technology, Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership, Graduate Certificate in School Library Media

While authorized to deliver these programs by SARA, students residing in Rhode Island cannot enroll in these online programs if they do not sign an attestation indicating their plans to obtain licensure in GA or another authorized state. Students who reside in GA but wish to obtain licensure in Rhode Island after getting a GA license do not need an attestation to enroll but may need to complete additional requirements to obtain licensure in Rhode Island.

Rhode Island is a member of the National Association Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) interstate agreement.

Licensure Disclosure

Generally, students must get their GA teacher certification before applying for a Rhode Island certification. 

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education does NOT meet educational requirements for a Primary Childhood P-5 teaching certification in Rhode Island. 

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education does NOT meet educational requirements for Health and Physical Education teaching certification in Rhode Island. 

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education does NOT meet educational requirements for Middle Grades Education teaching certification in Rhode Island. 

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Fine Arts, in Art Education does NOT meet the educational requirements for certification in Rhode Island. 

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Music in Music Education does NOT meet the educational requirements for certification in Rhode Island. 

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Master of Arts in Teaching does NOT meet educational requirements for initial teaching certification in Rhode Island. 

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction – Accomplished Teaching does NOT meet educational requirements for Curriculum and Instruction teaching certification in Rhode Island because it is not a recognized pathway in Rhode Island.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Master of Education in Educational Leadership does NOT meet educational requirements for Tier 1 teacher/leader certification in Rhode Island. 

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership does NOT meet educational requirements for Tier 1 teacher/leader certification in Rhode Island. 

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Master of Education in Instructional Technology (including School Library Media) does NOT meet educational requirements for Instructional Technology teaching certification in Rhode Island because it is not a recognized pathway in Rhode Island.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Graduate Certificate in Instructional Technology does NOT meet educational requirements for Instructional Technology teaching certification in Rhode Island because it is not a recognized pathway in Rhode Island.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Graduate Certificate in School Library Media does NOT meet educational requirements for School Library Media teacher/leader certification in Rhode Island. 

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education does NOT meet educational requirements for Secondary Education teaching certification in Rhode Island. 

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Special Education does NOT meet educational requirements for Special Education teaching certification in Rhode Island. 

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Master of Education in Counseling Education, Concentration in School Counseling does NOT meet educational requirements for School Counselor certification in Rhode Island. 

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Master of Education in Counseling Education, with a Concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, does NOT meet educational requirements for either National Certified Counselor (NCC) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) certification in Rhode island.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Education Specialist in School Psychology does NOT meet the educational requirements for School Psychologist certification in Rhode Island.

Geology (on-campus or distance education)

National

Association of State Boards of Geology

Rhode Island

Rhode Island does not license professional geologists. 

Engineering and Land Surveying (on-campus)

National

National Council of Examiners for Engineering & Surveying (NCEES)

Rhode Island

Rhode Island State Board of Registration: Design Professionals

State licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) is not required to work in the field of engineering. However, many employment opportunities require a PE license. 

Georgia Southern’s BS in Civil Engineering, BS in Computer Engineering, BS in Construction Engineering, BS in Electrical Engineering, BS in Manufacturing Engineering, BS in Mechanical Engineering, and BS in Software Engineering programs are EAC-ABET-accredited. 

The minimum requirements for a PE license include completion of a BS degree in Engineering from an EAC-ABET accredited engineering program; successful completion of the Fundamental of Engineering (FE) Exam; successful completion of the Professional Engineer (PE) Exam; and 4-years of work experience as specified by the state’s licensing board.

Licensure Disclosure

Completion of Georgia Southern’s Bachelor of Science Programs in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Manufacturing Engineering meet the educational requirements to begin the licensure process in Rhode Island, by providing the coursework necessary to sit for the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination. Software Engineering does not have a specific PE examination. It is typically recommended that candidates sit for their FE exam toward the end of their senior year, or soon after graduation.

Surveying-Geomatics

Licensure Disclosure

To apply for a professional land surveyor license (PLS) in  Rhode Island you must:

Have a degree from an accredited four-year surveying program or a board-approved equivalent, pass the Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam, the Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) exam, and have at least four years of verifiable work experience under the supervision of a licensed land surveyor. Rhode Island also requires a state exam.

Georgia Southern’s embedded Surveying-Geomatics certificate meets the educational requirement to sit for the Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) examination to become a land surveyor intern or land surveyor in training (LSIT) which is the first step in becoming a PLS in Rhode Island.

Interior Architecture and Design (on-campus)

National

National Council for Interior Design Qualification

Rhode Island

Rhode Island does not license or certify interior designers.

Medical Laboratory Science (on-campus or distance education)

National

ASCP Board of Certification (BOC)

Online Program Disclosure
Georgia Southern University offers the online Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) degree program to students located in New Hampshire. The Medical Laboratory Science program at Georgia Southern offers an online track consisting of a Post-Baccalaureate option and a Career Track option. The Post-Baccalaureate option is for students with a BS in biology, chemistry, or related science. The Career Track option is for a certified MLT wishing to pursue a BS in MLS degree in addition to the traditional track, Georgia Southern offers online degree completion options for students currently working in the medical laboratory science field.

The MLS program will qualify a graduate of this program to sit for the exam for MLS ASCP Certification in all 50 United States through Route 1 (BS degree from a NAACLS-accredited MLS program)

Licensure Disclosure

Rhode Island does not license Medical Laboratory Scientists

Nursing (on-campus or distance education)

National

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

American Academy of Nurse Practitioners

Rhode Island

Rhode Island Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education

Distance Education Disclosure

Georgia Southern is authorized to offer the following online programs in Rhode Island:  RN-BSN and Master of Science in Nursing.

Georgia Southern is NOT authorized to deliver the online Doctor of Nursing Practice, BSN to DNP, or Post-MSN APRN Certificate (Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, or Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner) programs in Rhode Island. Students must be physically located in South Carolina or Georgia to enroll in any DNP or Post-MSN APRN Certificate program at Georgia Southern.

Licensure Disclosure

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s on-campus Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program does meet the educational requirements for Registered Nurse licensure in Rhode Island.

Completion of the online DNP, BSN to DNP, or Post-MSN APRN Certificate (Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, or Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner) programs meets educational requirements to sit for national specialty certifications in the chosen advanced practice specialty track and to apply for an APRN license (Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner) in Rhode Island. Georgia and South Carolina residents with a valid  Rhode Island RN license or eNLC license can apply for APRN licensure in Rhode Island upon graduation, but students cannot live in Rhode Island while taking online DNP or Post-MSN APRN Certificate classes. 

Physical Therapy (on-campus)

Rhode Island

Rhode Island Department of Health

Licensure Disclosure

Rhode Island requires that applicants graduate from a doctoral program in physical therapy that is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).  Applicants must also pass the National Physical Therapist Examination (CAPTE). Georgia Southern’s doctoral program in physical therapy meets the educational requirement for licensure in Rhode Island as the program is accredited by CAPTE and prepares students to take the NPTE.

Psychology (on-campus)

Rhode Island

Rhode Island Board of Psychology

State of Rhode Island Department of Health: BCBA

National

Behavioral Analyst Certification Board

Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB)

Licensure Disclosure

To apply to be a Certified Rhode Island Behavioral Analyst (COBA) you must earn a Master’s degree from an Association of Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) verified program, obtain 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, and pass the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) BCBA Certification Exam. The MS – Psychology (Behavior Analysis Concentration) degree provides the Association of Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) verified coursework and thus meets the educational requirement leading to certification as an applied behavioral analyst. Through some elective course options, students could begin accruing supervised fieldwork hours, however, it is not guaranteed that 2,000 may be earned during enrollment. The BACB BCBA Certification Exam is taken after students complete the MS – Psychology (Behavior Analysis Concentration) degree. 

To apply for a license as a clinical psychologist, Rhode Island requires that you graduate from an accredited doctoral program in psychology, pass the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP, Part 1 and 2), and obtain 1,600 hours of post-doctoral experience. Beginning in January of 2026, applicants will also have to pass the EPPP Part 2.  Georgia Southern’s APA-accredited doctoral program in clinical psychology meets the educational requirement for licensure.

Radiologic Science (on-campus or distance education)

National

American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)

American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS)

Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI)

Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB)

Rhode Island

Rhode Island Department of Health (Radiologic Science)

Online Program Disclosure
The Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences: Bridge program offers a degree completion program for radiographers, radiation therapists, sonographers, and nuclear medicine technologists. If you are certified by the ARRT, NMTCB, or RDMS, then you may qualify to complete this B.S. degree in Radiologic Sciences Bridge program.

Licensure Disclosures

Rhode Island grants licenses to Radiographers who hold certificates from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists ARRT. Rhode Island grants licenses to Nuclear Medicine Technologists who are certified by ARRT or the Nuclear Medicine Certification Board (NMTCB). Rhode Island grants licenses to Radiation Therapists who are certified by ARRT. Georgia Southern’s BS in Radiologic Sciences program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology and the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT) and prepares students to take any of the national certification exams (depending on the track), therefore, the program meets educational requirements.

Rhode Island does not license Diagnostic Medical Sonographers but employers typically require certification.

Rhode Island is a non-licensure state for cardiovascular invasive specialists but employers typically require certification.

Respiratory Therapy (on-campus)

Rhode Island

Rhode Island Department of Health: Respiratory Therapy

National

National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)

Licensure Disclosure

Rhode Island requires proof of completion of an educational program as a practitioner of respiratory care that is approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or its successor organization or the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CARC). Applicants must achieve a passing score on the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Exam. Limited permits are also available for those who have not yet passed the certification exams. Georgia Southern’s Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CARC) and prepares students to take the NBRC; therefore the program meets the licensure/certification requirements as a Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) in Rhode Island.