Professional Licensure – Illinois

Licensing Agency

Illinois Board of Higher Education

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

Athletic Training 

State Board

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (Athletic Training

Licensure Disclosure

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

Accounting

State Board

Illinois Board of Examiners

Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation

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

Exam and Licensure Requirements

Applicants for the uniform CPA exam in Illinois must complete at least 150 semester hours with a concentration in accounting, auditing and business that includes a baccalaureate degree or higher earned at a regionally accredited institution. Applicants are deemed to have met the requirement if, as part of the 150 hours, the applicant earned a 1) graduate degree with a concentration in accounting from an AACSB-accredited accounting program, 2) a graduate degree from an AACSB-accredited business program that includes 24 hours in undergraduate accounting or 15 hours of graduate level accounting that includes financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and management accounting, 3) baccalaureate degree from an accredited business program that includes 24 hours in accounting that includes financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and management accounting, and 24 hours in business courses, or 4) baccalaureate or higher and completed 24 hours in upper level accounting that includes financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and management accounting, and 24 hours in business courses. 

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 educational requirements to apply for the uniform CPA exam and/or apply for a CPA license in Illinois.

Illinois 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

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (Speech-Language Pathology & 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 Illinois.

This program also meets the educational requirements for a Speech-Language Pathologist Endorsement for practice in an educational setting.

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

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

Education

State Board

Illinois State Board of Education

Distance Education Disclosure

Georgia Southern is authorized to offer the following online programs in Illinois 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 Illinois. If you have not obtained an out-of-state license, you can still qualify for a professional educator license by meeting additional requirements. ISBE evaluates submitted documents.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Master of Arts in Teaching does NOT meet educational requirements for initial teaching certification in Illinois. If you have not obtained an out-of-state license, you can still qualify for a professional educator license by meeting additional requirements. ISBE evaluates submitted documents.

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 Illinois because it is not a recognized pathway in Illinois.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Master of Education in Educational Leadership does NOT meet educational requirements for Tier 1 teacher/leader certification in Illinois. If you have not obtained an out-of-state license, you can still qualify for a professional educator license by meeting additional requirements. ISBE evaluates submitted documents.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Master of Education in Instructional Technology, Concentration in Instructional Technology does NOT meet educational requirements for Instructional Technology teaching certification in Illinois. If you have not obtained an out-of-state license, you can still qualify for a professional educator license by meeting additional requirements. ISBE evaluates submitted documents.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Master of Education in Instructional Technology, Concentration in School Library Media does NOT meet educational requirements for Library Information Specialist certification in Illinois. If you have not obtained an out-of-state license, you can still qualify for a professional educator license by meeting additional requirements. ISBE evaluates submitted documents.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Graduate Certificate in Instructional Technology does NOT meet educational requirements for Instructional Technology teaching certification in Illinois. If you have not obtained an out-of-state license, you can still qualify for a professional educator license by meeting additional requirements. ISBE evaluates submitted documents.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership does NOT meet educational requirements for Tier 1 teacher/leader certification in Illinois. If you have not obtained an out-of-state license, you can still qualify for a professional educator license by meeting additional requirements. ISBE evaluates submitted documents.

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 Illinois. If you have not obtained an out-of-state license, you can still qualify for a professional educator license by meeting additional requirements. ISBE evaluates submitted documents.

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 Illinois. If you have not obtained an out-of-state license, you can still qualify for a professional educator license by meeting additional requirements. ISBE evaluates submitted documents.

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 Illinois. If you have not obtained an out-of-state license, you can still qualify for a professional educator license by meeting additional requirements. ISBE evaluates submitted documents.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education does NOT meet educational requirements for Secondary Education teaching certification in Illinois. If you have not obtained an out-of-state license, you can still qualify for a professional educator license by meeting additional requirements. ISBE evaluates submitted documents.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Special Education does NOT meet educational requirements for Special Education teaching certification in Illinois. If you have not obtained an out-of-state license, you can still qualify for a professional educator license by meeting additional requirements. ISBE evaluates submitted documents.

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 Illinois. If you have not obtained an out-of-state license, you can still qualify for a professional educator license by meeting additional requirements. ISBE evaluates submitted documents.

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 Illinois.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Education Specialist in School Psychology does NOT meet educational requirements for School Psychologist certification in Illinois. If you have not obtained an out-of-state license, you can still qualify for a professional educator license by meeting additional requirements. ISBE evaluates submitted documents.

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

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

Engineering

State Boards

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (Professional Engineer)

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (Professional Land Surveyor)

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 Illinois., 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 Illinois.

Geology 

State Board

Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation

Licensure Disclosure

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Geosciences with a Concentration in Geology does meet the educational requirements to apply for a Geologist license in Illinois. The state of Illinois requires a degree in Geology (30 semester hrs min. with 24 semester hours in upper level courses) and ASBOG FG exam upon graduation. Georgia Southern majors will qualify for the FG exam at graduation. Four years work experience is needed prior to ASBOG Practice of Geology (POG) Exam.

Interior Architecture and Design

State Board

Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation

Licensure Disclosure

Completion of the Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Interior Design does meet education requirements for Registered Interior Designer licensure in Illinois. Illinois utilizes the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination for registration. All examinations must be taken through NCIDQ.

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 Illinois through mutual participation in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA).

Licensure Disclosure

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

Nursing 

State Board

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

Distance Education Disclosure

Georgia Southern is authorized to offer the following online programs in Illinois through mutual participation in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA): RN-BSN, Master of Science in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Post-BSN-DNP, and Post-MSN APRN Certificates. DNP and Post-MSN APRN Certificates are only authorized for the online didactic portion of the program in Illinois. All clinical work must occur in Georgia or South Carolina.

Licensure Disclosure

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

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 Illinois. Georgia and South Carolina residents with a valid Illinois RN license can apply for APRN licensure in Illinois upon graduation. 

Physical Therapy

State Board

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (Physical Therapy)

Licensure Disclosure

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program does meet educational requirements for Physical Therapist licensure in Illinois. 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 Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (Physical Therapy)

Psychology

State Board

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (Clinical 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 Illinois. Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Certification (before becoming licensed): 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 Illinois, you must be a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), and may need to meet other requirements specified by the Illinois Advisory Board of Behavior Analysts to earn licensure. Information pertaining to this may be found at the following link: https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=4308&ChapterID=24 

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 Illinois. To qualify for licensure, students must take courses in the following specific content areas:  Ethical and legal standards, Individual and cultural diversity, Professional values per attitudes, Assessment, Intervention, Consultation and interprofessional/interdisciplinary skills, Biological aspects of behavior, Cognitive and affective aspects of behavior, Social aspects of behavior, Cultural and individual diversity, Psychological measurement per research methodology, Individual differences in behavior, Dysfunctional behavior/psychopathology, Professional standards and ethics, Theories and methods of assessment and diagnosis.

Radiologic Sciences 

State Board

Illinois Emergency Management Agency (Medical Radiation Technology Services)

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 Illinois through mutual participation in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA).

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 Illinois. Persons who seek active or limited accreditation in medical radiation technology shall pass the appropriate examination as specified in subsection (b). Examinations appropriate to category of accreditation are as follows: 1) Medical RadiographyThe American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (R) (ARRT). There is no specific guideline related to reciprocity, but as the minimum requirements to apply for licensure in Illinois include documentation of credentialing by the ARRT, all individuals credentialed by the ARRT would be eligible to apply for licensure.

Illinois 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 Illinois.

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 Illinois.

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 Illinois.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Clinical Specialist in Advanced Imaging Certificate, Mammography concentration does meet educational requirements in Illinois. Persons who seek active or limited accreditation in medical radiation technology shall pass the appropriate examination as specified in subsection (b). Examinations appropriate to category of accreditation are as follows: 1) Medical RadiographyThe American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (R) (ARRT). There is no specific guideline related to reciprocity, but as the minimum requirements to apply for licensure in Illinois include documentation of credentialing by the ARRT, all individuals credentialed by the ARRT would be eligible to apply for licensure.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Clinical Specialist in Advanced Imaging Certificate, Computed Tomography Concentration does meet educational requirements in Illinois. Persons who seek active or limited accreditation in medical radiation technology shall pass the appropriate examination as specified in subsection (b). Examinations appropriate to category of accreditation are as follows: 1) Medical RadiographyThe American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (R) (ARRT). There is no specific guideline related to reciprocity, but as the minimum requirements to apply for licensure in Illinois include documentation of credentialing by the ARRT, all individuals credentialed by the ARRT would be eligible to apply for licensure.

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

Respiratory Therapy

State Board

Illinois Respiratory Care Board

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 Illinois 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 Illinois

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 Illinois.