Professional Licensure – North Carolina

Licensing Agency

University of North Carolina System Board of Governors

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

Athletic Training 

State Board

North Carolina Board of Athletic Trainer Examiners

Licensure Disclosure

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

Accounting

North Carolina State Board of Certified Public Accountant Examiners

Distance Education Disclosure

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

Exam Requirements

Applicants for the uniform CPA exam in North Carolina must complete a bachelor’s degree at a regionally accredited institution that includes 120 semester hours. Of those, at least 30 hours must be in undergraduate accounting courses or at least 20 hours must be in graduate accounting courses. 

License Requirements 

Applicants for a CPA license in North Carolina must complete at least 150 semester hours of postsecondary education. Of those, at least 30 hours must be in undergraduate accounting courses or at least 20 hours must be in graduate accounting courses. In addition, 24 hours must be in specified business-related courses. Applicants who hold a master’s or higher degree in accounting from an accredited institution meet the business coursework requirement. 

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

North Carolina 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

North Carolina Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists

Licensure Disclosure

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

Education

State Board

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

Distance Education Disclosure

Georgia Southern is authorized to offer the following online programs in North Carolina 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 meet educational requirements for Elementary Education teaching certification in North Carolina. Per the state of North Carolina: “Individuals can exempt SBE approved licensure exam if North Carolina has a comparable license area and you have 3 or more years of classroom teaching experience. Out-of-state individuals who are approved for an NC teaching license in the primary area of certification may also be granted an NC teaching license in any content area(s) that was subsequently added to the initial license by passing a comparable licensure exam in another state, provided NC has a comparable license area.”

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Master of Arts in Teaching does meet educational requirements for initial teaching certification in North Carolina. Per the state of North Carolina: “”1) Completion of an Educator Preparation Program accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP); or,  2)  Completion of an education program that meets the standards developed by the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC); or, 3) Completion of an education program in a State with which North Carolina has an interstate agreement, or,  4) Completion of a regionally accredited (ACCJC, HLC, MSCHE, NEASC-CIHE, SACSCOC, or WSCUC) Educator Preparation Program in another State.”

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 North Carolina because it is not a recognized pathway in North Carolina.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Master of Education in Educational Leadership does NOT meet educational requirements for Tier 1 teacher/leader certification in North Carolina. Per the state of North Carolina: “”1. Completion of an approved program in school administration at the master’s level or above. 2. Provisional principal’s licenses are issued for service as an assistant principal if the local board determines there is a shortage of individuals with principal licensure. 3. Affiliation with a master’s school administrator program must occur before the expiration of the provisional license. Provisional principal licenses shall be issued for three school years during which time program requirements must be met. These positions DO require the individual to hold a valid state professional educator’s license.”

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 North Carolina because this is not a recognized pathway in North Carolina.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Master of Education in Instructional Technology, Concentration in School Library Media does NOT meet educational requirements for Library Media Specialist certification in North Carolina. Per the state of North Carolina: “1. One of the following:  – Completion of an approved program for a media coordinator at the master’s degree level or above  – Completion of an approved program after July 1, 1984, allows a provisional license upon employment with the requirement to update to master’s degree level  – Obtain a provisional media coordinator license as outlined in SBE Policy LICN-001. These positions DO require the individual to hold a valid state professional educator’s license.”

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

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership does NOT meet educational requirements for Tier 1 teacher/leader certification in North Carolina. Per the state of North Carolina: “1. Completion of an approved program in school administration at the master’s level or above. 2. Provisional principal’s licenses are issued for service as an assistant principal if the local board determines there is a shortage of individuals with principal licensure. 3. Affiliation with a master’s school administrator program must occur before the expiration of the provisional license. Provisional principal licenses shall be issued for three school years during which time program requirements must be met. These positions DO require the individual to hold a valid state professional educator’s license.”

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 North Carolina. Per the state of North Carolina: “1. One of the following:  – Completion of an approved program for a media coordinator at the master’s degree level or above  – Completion of an approved program after July 1, 1984, allows a provisional license upon employment with the requirement to update to master’s degree level  – Obtain a provisional media coordinator license as outlined in SBE Policy LICN-001. These positions DO require the individual to hold a valid state professional educator’s license. 2. NTE/Praxis Library Media Specialist. Educational Testing Service (ETS)”

Licensure Disclosure (On-Campus Programs)

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education does meet educational requirements for Health and Physical Education teaching certification in North Carolina. Students will need to meet state requirements: “1) Completion of an Educator Preparation Program accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP); or,  2)  Completion of an education program that meets the standards developed by the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC); or, 3) Completion of an education program in a State with which North Carolina has an interstate agreement, or,  4) Completion of a regionally accredited (ACCJC, HLC, MSCHE, NEASC-CIHE, SACSCOC, or WSCUC) Educator Preparation Program in another State.”

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education  does meet educational requirements for Middle Grades Education teaching certification in North Carolina. Students will need to meet state requirements: “1) Completion of an Educator Preparation Program accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP); or,  2)  Completion of an education program that meets the standards developed by the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC); or,  3) Completion of an education program in a State with which North Carolina has an interstate agreement, or,  4) Completion of a regionally accredited (ACCJC, HLC, MSCHE, NEASC-CIHE, SACSCOC, or WSCUC) Educator Preparation Program in another State.”

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education does meet educational requirements for Secondary Education teaching certification in North Carolina. Students will need to meet state requirements: “1) Completion of an Educator Preparation Program accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP); or,  2)  Completion of an education program that meets the standards developed by the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC); or,  

3) Completion of an education program in a State with which North Carolina has an interstate agreement, or,  4) Completion of a regionally accredited (ACCJC, HLC, MSCHE, NEASC-CIHE, SACSCOC, or WSCUC) Educator Preparation Program in another State.”

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Special Education does meet educational requirements for Special Education teaching certification in North Carolina. Students will need to meet state requirements:  “1) Completion of an Educator Preparation Program accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP); or,  2)  Completion of an education program that meets the standards developed by the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC); or, 3) Completion of an education program in a State with which North Carolina has an interstate agreement, or,  4) Completion of a regionally accredited (ACCJC, HLC, MSCHE, NEASC-CIHE, SACSCOC, or WSCUC) Educator Preparation Program in another State.”

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 North Carolina. Per the state of North Carolina: “”1. Completion of an approved program in school counseling at the master’s level or above  2. NTE/Praxis Professional School Counselor test. Educational Testing Service (ETS). These positions DO require the individual to hold a valid state professional educator’s license.”

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 North Carolina.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Education Specialist in School Psychology does NOT meet educational requirements for School Psychologist certification in North Carolina. Per the state of North Carolina: “1. Completion of an approved program in school counseling at the master’s level or above  2. NTE/Praxis Professional School Counselor test. Educational Testing Service (ETS). These positions DO require the individual to hold a valid state professional educator’s license.”

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

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

Engineering

State Board

North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers & 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina.

Geology 

State Board

North Carolina Board for the Licensing of Geologists

Licensure Disclosure

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Geosciences with a Concentration in Geology meets the educational requirements to apply for a Geologist license in North Carolina. Georgia Southern graduates should qualify for initial Fundamentals of Geology (FG) examination by the last semester in the program. The state of North Carolina requires three years work experience after graduation. Final licensure requires completion of second ASBOG exam after required minimum work experience.

Interior Architecture and Design

State Board

North Carolina Board of Architecture and Registered Interior Designers

Licensure Disclosure

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Interior Design does meet education requirements for Registered Interior Designer licensure in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina through mutual participation in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA).

Licensure Disclosure

Licensure is not required to work in a medical laboratory in North Carolina.

Nursing 

State Board

North Carolina Board of Nursing

Distance Education Disclosure

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

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

Physical Therapy

North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners

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

Psychology

North Carolina Psychology Board

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Master of Science in Psychology does meet educational requirements for Board Certified Behavior Analyst licensure in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina, you must be a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), and may need to meet other requirements specified by the North Carolina Behavior Analyst Licensure Board to earn licensure. Information pertaining to this may be found at the following link: https://ncbehavioranalystboard.org/ 

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 North Carolina. To qualify for licensure, students must have a minimum of three semester hours in each of the following content areas: Cognitive-affective bases of behavior, Biological bases of behavior, Social bases of behavior, Individual differences; The following must also be covered: Professional and scientific standards, Research design and methodology, Statistics and psychometrics.

Radiologic Sciences 

State Board

North Carolina Department of Health Service Regulation

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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina.

North Carolina 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 North Carolina.

Radiation therapists are not required to be licensed in North Carolina. Employers in all states accept the RT(T) credential earned by passing the ARRT exam as evidence of appropriate educational preparation.

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 North Carolina.

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Clinical Specialist in Advanced Imaging Certificate, Mammography concentration does meet educational requirements in North Carolina. 

Completion of Georgia Southern University’s Clinical Specialist in Advanced Imaging Certificate, Computed Tomography Concentration does meet educational requirements in North Carolina. 

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

Respiratory Therapy

State Board

North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina.

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 North Carolina.