Professional Licensure – Iowa

Licensing Agency

Iowa College Student Aid Commission

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

Athletic Training 

State Board

Iowa Board of 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 Iowa. Upon graduation eligible students must take and pass the Board of Certification Examination to obtain licensure in Iowa.

Accounting

State Board

Iowa Professional Licensing Bureau

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

Exam and Certification Requirements

Applicants for the uniform CPA exam or CPA certification in Iowa must complete at least 150 semester hours of postsecondary education, including completion of a baccalaureate degree or higher at an institution that is AACSB and regionally accredited. The 150 hours must include completion of one of the following: 1) AACSB-accredited graduate degree with a concentration in accounting, 2) AACSB-accredited graduate degree in business that includes at least 24 hours of accounting coursework, 3) baccalaureate degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution that includes at least 24 hours in accounting and 24 hours in business courses. For all options, the accounting hours must include financial accounting, auditing, taxation, and management accounting. The accounting hours may not include elementary accounting, principles of accounting, or internships. 

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 Iowa.

Iowa 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

Iowa Board of Speech 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 Iowa.

This program also meets the educational requirements for a Speech-Language Pathologist Professional Service License (Initial) 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 Iowa.

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 Iowa.

Education

State Board

Iowa Board of Educational Examiners

Distance Education Disclosure

Georgia Southern is authorized to offer the following online programs in Iowa 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 Iowa. 

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

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 Iowa.

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

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 Iowa.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Master of Education in Instructional Technology, Concentration in School Library Media does NOT meet educational requirements for Instructional Technology teaching certification in Iowa.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Graduate Certificate in Instructional Technology does NOT meet educational requirements for Instructional Technology teaching certification in Iowa.

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

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 Iowa.

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 Iowa. 

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 Iowa.

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

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

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 Iowa.

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 Iowa.

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

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

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

Engineering

State Boards

Iowa Professional Licensing Bureau (Engineer & 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 Iowa, 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 Iowa.

Geology 

State Board

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

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 Groundwater Professional certification in Iowa. After certification, professionals are required to obtain 12 hours of continuing education during each 2 year certification period.

Interior Architecture and Design

State Board

Iowa Professional Licensing Bureau

Licensure Disclosure

Completion of the Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Interior Design does meet education requirements for Registered Interior Designer licensure in Iowa. Iowa utilizes the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination for registration. 

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

Licensure Disclosure

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

Nursing 

State Board

Iowa Board of Nursing

Distance Education Disclosure

Georgia Southern is authorized to offer the following online programs in Iowa 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 Iowa. 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 Iowa.

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

Physical Therapy

State Board

Iowa Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy

Licensure Disclosure

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

Psychology

State Board

Iowa Board of 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 Iowa. 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 Iowa, you must be a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), and may need to meet other requirements specified by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing to earn licensure. Information pertaining to this may be found at the following link: https://dial.iowa.gov/about/boards/behavioral-science

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 Iowa. 

Radiologic Sciences 

State Board

Iowa Department of 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 Iowa 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 Iowa. The individual must complete an accredited radiologic technology program, typically a 2 year associate’s degree. Obtain certification by passing the american Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) exam. In addition to certification, the state of Iowa requires radiologic technologists to pass a state licensing before practicing. To obtain a license, you one must submit an application to the Iowa Department of Public Health and meet their requirements, which may include a background check and an examination specific to the state.

Iowa 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 Iowa.

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 Iowa.

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 Iowa.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Clinical Specialist in Advanced Imaging Certificate, Mammography concentration does meet educational requirements in Iowa. One must complete an accredited Radiologic Technology program, typically a 2-year associate’s degree. After graduation, the individual must pass the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) exam to obtain certification. To practice in the state of Iowa, the individual must obtain a license from the Iowa State Department of Health.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Clinical Specialist in Advanced Imaging Certificate, Computed Tomography Concentration does meet educational requirements in Iowa. One must complete an accredited Radiologic Technology program, typically a 2-year associate’s degree. After graduation, the individual must pass the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) exam to obtain certification. To practice in the state of Iowa, the individual must obtain a license from the Iowa State Department of Health.

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

Respiratory Therapy

State Board

Iowa Board of Respiratory Care and Polysomnography

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 Iowa 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 Iowa

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 Iowa.