Professional Licensure – Alabama

Licensing Agency

Alabama Commission on Higher Education

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

Athletic Training 

State Board

Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers

Licensure Disclosure

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Master of Science in Athletic Training meets educational requirements to qualify for Athletic Trainer licensure in Alabama. Upon graduation eligible students must take and pass the Board of Certification Examination to obtain licensure in Alabama.

Accounting

State Board

Alabama State Board of Public Accountancy

Distance Education Disclosure
Georgia Southern University is authorized to deliver the online Master of Accounting (WebMAcc) program in Alabama through mutual participation in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA).

Exam Requirements
Applicants for the uniform CPA exam in Alabama must complete an undergraduate degree at a regionally accredited institution that includes 120 semester hours. Of those, 24 hours must be in upper division (300 level or higher) accounting courses and 24 hours must be in business courses. Completion of a graduate degree in accounting from an AACSB-accredited institution meets the specified coursework requirements.

Certification Requirements
Applicants for Alabama CPA certification must complete 150 semester hours of postsecondary education, including completion of a baccalaureate degree or higher at a regionally accredited institution. Of those hours, 33 hours must be in upper division (300 level or above) accounting courses and 27 hours must be in business courses.

Licensure Disclosure

Coupled with an undergraduate accounting degree or an appropriate number of accounting courses, completion of either Georgia Southern University Master of Accounting or Georgia Southern University’s online Master of Accounting (WebMAcc) meets educational requirements to apply for the uniform CPA exam and/or apply for a CPA license in Alabama.

Alabama 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

State Board

Alabama Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

Licensure Disclosure

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Master of Science in Communication Sciences Disorders does meet educational requirements for Speech-Language Pathologist in Alabama.

This program also meets the educational requirements for an instructional support certification in speech-language pathology (SLPEC), to practice in the public school education setting.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Master of Science in Communication Sciences Disorders or the Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders  meets the educational requirements for Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant (SPL-A) in Alabama.

Education

State Board

Alabama State Department of Education

Distance Education Disclosure

Georgia Southern is authorized to offer the following online programs in Alabama 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

Licensure Disclosure (Distance Education Programs)

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education does NOT meet educational requirements for Elementary Education teaching certification in Alabama. Alabama professional educator certification is offered on the basis of valid professional educator certificates issued by other states, and only if the professional educator certificate issued by another state is in an area, at a grade level, and at a degree level in which Alabama offers comparable professional certification. Alabama certification is not offered on the basis of educator preparation programs completed, online or in-residence, at non-Alabama institutions. No exceptions will be made to allow the recognition of programs completed at non-Alabama institutions.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Master of Arts in Teaching does NOT meet educational requirements for initial teaching certification in Alabama. Alabama professional educator certification is offered on the basis of valid professional educator certificates issued by other states, and only if the professional educator certificate issued by another state is in an area, at a grade level, and at a degree level in which Alabama offers comparable professional certification. Alabama certification is not offered on the basis of educator preparation programs completed, online or in-residence, at non-Alabama institutions. No exceptions will be made to allow the recognition of programs completed at non-Alabama institutions.

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 Alabama because it is not a recognized pathway in Alabama.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Master of Education in Educational Leadership does NOT meet educational requirements for Tier 1 teacher/leader certification in Alabama. Leadership certification in AL is at the Ed.S. level.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Master of Education in Instructional Technology does NOT meet educational requirements for Instructional Technology teaching certification in Alabama because it is not a recognized pathway in Alabama.

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

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership does NOT meet educational requirements for Tier 1 teacher/leader certification in Alabama. Leadership certification in AL is at the Ed.S. level.

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 Alabama because it is not a recognized pathway in Alabama.

Licensure Disclosure (On-Campus Programs)

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 Alabama. Alabama professional educator certification is offered on the basis of valid professional educator certificates issued by other states, and only if the professional educator certificate issued by another state is in an area, at a grade level, and at a degree level in which Alabama offers comparable professional certification. Alabama certification is not offered on the basis of educator preparation programs completed, online or in-residence, at non-Alabama institutions. No exceptions will be made to allow the recognition of programs completed at non-Alabama institutions.

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 Alabama. Alabama professional educator certification is offered on the basis of valid professional educator certificates issued by other states, and only if the professional educator certificate issued by another state is in an area, at a grade level, and at a degree level in which Alabama offers comparable professional certification. Alabama certification is not offered on the basis of educator preparation programs completed, online or in-residence, at non-Alabama institutions. No exceptions will be made to allow the recognition of programs completed at non-Alabama institutions.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education does NOT meet educational requirements for Secondary Education teaching certification in Alabama. Alabama professional educator certification is offered on the basis of valid professional educator certificates issued by other states, and only if the professional educator certificate issued by another state is in an area, at a grade level, and at a degree level in which Alabama offers comparable professional certification. Alabama certification is not offered on the basis of educator preparation programs completed, online or in-residence, at non-Alabama institutions. No exceptions will be made to allow the recognition of programs completed at non-Alabama institutions.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Special Education does NOT meet educational requirements for Special Education teaching certification in Alabama. Alabama professional educator certification is offered on the basis of valid professional educator certificates issued by other states, and only if the professional educator certificate issued by another state is in an area, at a grade level, and at a degree level in which Alabama offers comparable professional certification. Alabama certification is not offered on the basis of educator preparation programs completed, online or in-residence, at non-Alabama institutions. No exceptions will be made to allow the recognition of programs completed at non-Alabama institutions.

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 Alabama. Alabama professional educator certification is offered on the basis of valid professional educator certificates issued by other states, and only if the professional educator certificate issued by another state is in an area, at a grade level, and at a degree level in which Alabama offers comparable professional certification. Alabama certification is not offered on the basis of educator preparation programs completed, online or in-residence, at non-Alabama institutions. No exceptions will be made to allow the recognition of programs completed at non-Alabama institutions.

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

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Education Specialist in School Psychology does NOT meet educational requirements for School Psychologist certification in Alabama. Alabama professional educator certification is offered on the basis of valid professional educator certificates issued by other states, and only if the professional educator certificate issued by another state is in an area, at a grade level, and at a degree level in which Alabama offers comparable professional certification. Alabama certification is not offered on the basis of educator preparation programs completed, online or in-residence, at non-Alabama institutions. No exceptions will be made to allow the recognition of programs completed at non-Alabama institutions.

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

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Music in Music Education does NOT meet educational requirements for Music Education teaching certification in Alabama. 

Engineering

State Board

Alabama Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors

Licensure Disclosure

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 Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, and Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering 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.

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 New Hampshire, 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.

Georgia Southern’s embedded Surveying-Geomatics certificate meets the educational requirements to apply for professional land surveyor license (PLS) in Alabama.

To apply for a professional land surveyor license (PLS) in Alabama you must have one of the following: 

1. BS Surveying Degree or BSCE degree including 15 semester/22.5 quarter hours SurveyingCourses 4 Years Experience FS, PS, & ALLS Exams, OR

2. BS Related to Surveying Degree including 15 semester/22.5 quarter hours Surveying Courses 5 Years Experience FS, PS, & ALLS Exams, OR

3. BS Related Science Degree (math or other program related to surveying) 6 Years Experience FS,PS, & ALLS Exams, OR

4. No Degree 8 Years Experience (experience must be prior to 12/31/07) FS, PS, & ALLS Exams *Must have been originally licensed in some state as a PLS prior to Dec. 31, 2007

Geology 

State Board

Alabama Board of Licensure for Professional Geologists

Licensure Disclosure

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Geosciences with a Concentration in Geology program MAY meet educational requirements to apply for a Geologist license in Alabama. The State of Alabama requires five years full-time professional work showing progressive experience development before sitting for the ASBOG Practice of Geology (PG) exam and licensure. Curriculum does meet Alabama licensure requirements IF student chooses the 6 credit hours Field Camp

Interior Architecture and Design

State Board

Alabama Board for Registered Interior Designers

Licensure Disclosure

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture and Design does meet education requirements for Registered Interior Designer licensure in Alabama. To qualify for licensure, students need to have passed the NCIDQ- National Exam, which requires 60 semester hours of post-secondary interior design coursework that encompasses a degree, certificate or diploma from an accredited program (e.g. CIDA). Students are eligible to take the first of three tests during senior year after 60 semester hours are met.

Medical Laboratory Science 

Distance Education Disclosure

Georgia Southern is authorized to offer the online Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science, MLT to BSMLS and Fast Track Degree Completion program in Alabama through mutual participation in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA).

Licensure Disclosure

Licensure is not required to work in a medical laboratory in Alabama.

Nursing 

State Board

Alabama Board of Nursing

Distance Education Disclosure

Georgia Southern is authorized to offer the following online programs in Alabama through mutual participation in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA):  RN-BSN and Master of Science in Nursing.

Georgia Southern is not authorized to deliver the online Doctor of Nursing Practice, Post-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 Alabama. 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 Alabama.

Completion of the online DNP, Post-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 Alabama. Georgia and South Carolina residents with a valid Alabama RN license or an eNLC license can apply for APRN licensure in Alabama upon graduation, but students cannot live in Alabama while taking online DNP or Post-MSN APRN Certificate classes. 

Physical Therapy

State Board

State of Alabama Board of Physical Therapy

Licensure Disclosure 

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program does meet educational requirements for Physical Therapist licensure in Alabama. Upon completion, eligible students must also pass the National Physical Therapist Examination, which is administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. Additional testing, background clearance, and other requirements may also need to be met prior to applying for admission through the Alabama Board of Physical Therapy

Psychology

State Board

Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology

Licensure Disclosure 

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Master of Science in Psychology does meet educational requirements for Board Certified Behavior Analyst licensure in Alabama. To earn your Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Certification via “Pathway 1,” which is offered in the Georgia Southern Department of Psychology, you must: a) Earn a Master’s degree from an Association of Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) verified program, b) Obtain 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, and c) 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. In addition, through some elective course options, students could begin accruing supervised field work hours, however, it is not guaranteed that 2,000 may be earned while enrolled in the program. The BACB BCBA Certification Exam would be taken after students complete the MS – Psychology (Behavior Analysis Concentration) degree, and is scheduled directly through the BACB. For more information about pathways toward earning the BCBA certification, please visit this website: https://www.bacb.com/bcba/ 

In Alabama, you must be a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), and may need to meet other requirements specified by the Alabama Behavior Analyst Licensure Board to earn licensure. Information pertaining to this may be found at the following link: https://mh.alabama.gov/alabama-behavior-analyst-licensure-board/

Information about US Behavior Analyst Licensure via the BACB may be found at: https://www.bacb.com/u-s-licensure-of-behavior-analysts/ 

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology does meet education requirements for psychologist licensure in Alabama. To qualify for licensure, students must take courses in the following specific content areas: Research, Ethical and legal standards, Individual and cultural diversity, Assessment, Intervention, Supervision, Consultation and interprofessional/interdisciplinary skills, Biological aspects of behavior, Cognitive and affective aspects of behavior, Social aspects of behavior, Cultural and individual diversity, History and systems of psychology, psychological measurement per research methodology, Individual differences in behavior, Dysfunctional behavior/psychopathology, Professional standards and ethics, Theories and methods of assessment and diagnosis, Effective intervention.

Radiologic Sciences 

State Board

Alabama Department of Public Health

Distance Education Disclosure

Georgia Southern University is authorized to offer the online Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences, RT to BSRS Bridge Degree Completion program in Alabama through mutual participation in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA).

Licensure Disclosure 

Alabama is a non-licensure state and credentialing by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) is sufficient for practice in most-settings.

Respiratory Therapy

State Board

Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy

Distance Education Disclosure

Georgia Southern University is authorized to offer the online Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy, RRT to BS Career Ladder Degree Completion in Alabama through mutual participation in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA).

Licensure Disclosure

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy program does meet educational requirements to qualify for Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) licensure in Alabama. 

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s online Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy, RRT to BS Career Ladder Degree Completion does meet educational requirements to qualify for Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) licensure in Alabama.