Professional Licensure – California

Licensing Agency

California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education

The California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education does not regulate out-of-state public institutions. Therefore, Bureau approval for Georgia Southern University to offer distance education programs to students located in California is not required. 

Athletic Training 

California does not require a license or certification to work as an athletic trainer. 

Accounting

State Board

California Board of Accountancy

Exam Requirements
Applicants for the uniform CPA exam in California must complete a bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution that includes 24 semester hours in accounting subjects (accounting, auditing, financial reporting, external or internal reporting, financial statement analysis or taxation) and 24 semester hours in business subjects (accounting subjects in excess of 24 hours, business administration, economics, finance, business management, marketing, computer science/information systems, statistics, business communications, mathematics, business law, or business-related law courses offered by an accredited law school).

Licensure Requirements
In addition to the educational requirements to sit for the uniform CPA exam in California, applicants must complete an additional 20 hours of accounting study, and 10 hours of ethics study for a total of 150 total semester hours. The accounting study requirement may be met through completion of an MAcc program or through completion of at least 6 hours in accounting subjects and 14 hours of business-related subjects.

Licensure Disclosure

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

California requires an 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

California Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology & Hearing Aid Dispensers Board

Licensure Disclosure

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

This program also meets the educational requirements for a Two-Year Preliminary Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential to practice in the public school education setting. 

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

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders does not meet the educational requirements for Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant (SPL-A) in California.

Education

State Board

California Commission on Teacher Credentialing

Licensure Disclosure (Distance Education Programs)

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education is NOT YET DETERMINED to meet educational requirements for Elementary Education teaching certification in California. 

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Master of Arts in Teaching is NOT YET DETERMINED to meet requirements for initial teaching certification in California.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction – Accomplished Teaching is NOT YET DETERMINED to meet educational requirements for Curriculum and Instruction teaching certification in California.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Master of Education in Educational Leadership is NOT YET DETERMINED to meet educational requirements for Tier 1 teacher/leader certification in California.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Master of Education in Instructional Technology, Concentration in Instructional Technology is NOT YET DETERMINED to meet educational requirements for Instructional Technology teaching certification in California.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Master of Education in Instructional Technology, Concentration in School Library Media is NOT YET DETERMINED to meet educational requirements for Instructional Technology teaching certification in California.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Graduate Certificate in Instructional Technology is NOT YET DETERMINED to meet educational requirements for Instructional Technology teaching certification in California.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership is NOT YET DETERMINED to meet educational requirements for Tier 1 teacher/leader certification in California.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Graduate Certificate in School Library Media is NOT YET DETERMINED to meet educational requirements for School Library Media teacher/leader certification in California.

Licensure Disclosure (On-Campus Programs)

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education is NOT YET DETERMINED to meet educational requirements for Health and Physical Education teaching certification in California. 

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education  is NOT YET DETERMINED to meet educational requirements for Middle Grades Education teaching certification in California.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education is NOT YET DETERMINED to meet educational requirements for Secondary Education teaching certification in California.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Special Education is NOT YET DETERMINED to meet educational requirements for Special Education teaching certification in California.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Master of Education in Counseling Education, Concentration in School Counseling is NOT YET DETERMINED to meet educational requirements for School Counselor certification in California.

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

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Education Specialist in School Psychology is NOT YET DETERMINED to meet educational requirements for School Psychologist certification in California.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Fine Arts, Art Education is NOT YET DETERMINED to meet educational requirements for Art Education teaching certification in California.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Music in Music Education is NOT YET DETERMINED to meet educational requirements for Music Education teaching certification in California.

Engineering

State Board

California Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists

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 California, 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 California.

Geology 

State Board

California Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists

Licensure Disclosure

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Geosciences with a Concentration in Geology program does meet educational requirements for a Geologist license in California. Students can take the ASBOG Fundamentals of Geology exam upon graduation. Following five years of work experience, students will then be eligible to take the ASBOG Practice of Geology exam and pursue final licensure.

Interior Architecture and Design

State Board

California Council for Interior Design

Licensure Disclosure

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture and Design does meet education requirements for Certified Interior Designer licensure in California. All CID Interior Designers must pass the IDEX California examination.

Medical Laboratory Science 

State Board

California Department of Public Health (​Clinical Laboratory Professional Licensing)

Licensure Disclosure

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science does NOT meet education requirements for Medical Laboratory Scientist licensure in California. California MLS requirements include: Academic requirements:  Bachelor’s degree (baccalaureate) with specific course requirements:  16 semester or equivalent quarter units of chemistry, which must include clinical chemistry OR analytical and biochemistry. 18 semester or equivalent quarter units of biology, which must include hematology, immunology, and medical microbiology. 3 semester or equivalent quarter units of physics (light and electricity). Minimum one year of post-baccalaureate clinical training as a CLS. OR Minimum one year of work experience as a CLS performing high complexity testing in hematology, chemistry, blood bank, and microbiology.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s online Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science, MLT to BSMLS and Fast Track Degree Completion does NOT meet education requirements for Medical Laboratory Scientist licensure in California. California MLS requirements include: Academic requirements:  Bachelor’s degree (baccalaureate) with specific course requirements:  16 semester or equivalent quarter units of chemistry, which must include clinical chemistry OR analytical and biochemistry. 18 semester or equivalent quarter units of biology, which must include hematology, immunology, and medical microbiology. 3 semester or equivalent quarter units of physics (light and electricity). Minimum one year of post-baccalaureate clinical training as a CLS. OR Minimum one year of work experience as a CLS performing high complexity testing in hematology, chemistry, blood bank, and microbiology.

Nursing 

State Board

California Board of Registered Nursing

Licensure Disclosure

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program does meet the educational requirements for Registered Nurse licensure in California.

Completion of the DNP, 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 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 California.  Georgia and South Carolina residents with a valid California RN license can apply for APRN licensure in California upon graduation.

Physical Therapy

State Board

Physical Therapy Board of California

Licensure Disclosure

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program does meet educational requirements for Physical Therapist licensure in California. 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 Physical Therapy Board of California.

Psychology

State Board

California Board of Psychology

Licensure Disclosure

Licensure is not required to work as a Behavior Analyst in California.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology does NOT meet education requirements for psychologist licensure in California. To qualify for licensure, students must take courses in the following specific content areas (which may not be included in the basic program): Human Sexuality A minimum of ten (10) contact hours [BPC § 25 & CCR § 1382]; Alcohol/Chemical Dependency Detection and Treatment A minimum of fifteen (15) contact hours from a degree-granting educational institution or in an extension course offered by an approved/accredited institution [BPC § 2914(e) & CCR § 1382.3]; Child Abuse Assessment and Reporting A minimum of seven (7) contact hours [BPC § 28 & CCR § 1382.4]; Spousal or Partner Abuse Assessment, Detection, and Intervention Strategies If you began graduate training before December 31, 2003, a minimum of two (2) contact hours. If you began graduate training on or after January 1, 2004, a minimum of fifteen (15) contact hours [BPC § 2914(f) & CCR § 1382.5]; Aging and Long-Term Care [BPC § 2915.5]; and Suicide Risk Assessment and Intervention [BPC § 2915.4].

Radiologic Sciences 

State Board

California Department of Public Health (Radiological Health)

Licensure Disclosure

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science, Concentration in Radiography does meet educational requirements for Radiologic Technologist Registered-Radiography RT (R) in California. Individuals applying for licensure in CA must submit: Documentation of: a. passing the national ARRT certification exam OR b. a copy of diploma or certificate from a CDPH-RHB approved school in diagnostic radiologic technology AND pass the appropriate ARRT examination.  Individuals are licensed separately for a fluoroscopy permit. Individuals who passed the ARRT Radiography examination on or after January 1, 2011, are not required to pass a fluoroscopy examination. These individuals will complete an application and submit documentation of graduation from a JRCERT-accredited program on or after January 1, 2011, along with documentation of passing the ARRT radiography examination. Those individuals who passed the ARRT Radiography examination prior to January 1, 2011 will need to submit: a. copy of diploma/certificate from CHPH-RHB approved radiologic technologist fluoroscopy school OR b. documentation of graduation from JRCERT-accredited radiologic technology program and documentation of passing the ARRT examination OR c. documentation that you are certified by the ARRT in radiography and are a current ARRT registrant. individuals seeking reciprocity would complete the state application and provide the following documentation: a. diploma from a JRCERT-accredited program after January 1, 2011 AND b. documentation of passing the ARRT examination in radiography

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science, Concentration in Cardiovascular Interventional Science does meet educational requirements for Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) licensure in California. 

California is a non-licensure state for sonography. The American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) is the gold standard for the clinical setting.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science, Concentration in Nuclear Medicine does meet educational requirements for Radiologic Technologist Registered – Nuclear Medicine RT(N) licensure in California. 

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science,Concentration in Radiation Therapy does meet educational requirements for Radiologic Technologist Registered – Radiation Therapy RT(T) licensure in California.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Clinical Specialist in Advanced Imaging Certificate, Mammography concentration does meet educational requirements in California. For licensure in California, students must meet state requirements:  Provide your current and valid California Diagnostic Radiologic Technology Certificate Number AND  Submit documentary evidence of: a) Completion of 40 hours of continuing education in Mammography courses, OR b) Documentation of having passed the ARRT Mammography Certification examination.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Clinical Specialist in Advanced Imaging Certificate, Computed Tomography Concentration does meet educational requirements in California. Individuals must have graduated from an accredited Radiologic Technology School and passed the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Radiography national registry examination. The standards the Board will accept for Educational Programs in Radiologic Technology are programs that are accredited by the United States Department of Education through the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. As long as the individual is in good standing with licensure in other states, they will be granted automatic licensure in CA. The license from another state is substantially similar to an CA Radiologic Technology license if the other state’s licensure qualifications require: (i) Graduation from an accredited Radiologic Technology School; and (ii) Pass the applicable exam (ARRT exam).  If a state does not licensure Radiologic Technologists, individuals must provide evidence of passing the ARRT exam and current ARRT registration.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Clinical Specialist in Advanced Imaging Certificate, Magnetic Resonance Imaging Concentration does NOT meet educational requirements in California because it is not a recognized pathway in California

Respiratory Therapy

State Board

Respiratory Care Board of California

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 California. 

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 California.