Professional Licensure and Certification Disclosures

Quinnipiac University offers a number of programs leading to professional licensure and/or certification. U.S. Code of Federal Regulations 34 CFR 668.14(b)(32) requires disclosures for all programs leading to a license or certification. These disclosures indicate whether the program satisfies the applicable educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in each state so that a student who enrolls in the program, and seeks employment in that State after completing the program, qualifies to take any licensure or certification exam that is needed for the student to practice or find employment in an occupation that the program prepares students to enter.¹

Prospective and current students are advised to refer to the information below about state professional licensing and certification requirements and potential consequences of relocating to a different state at any time after admission to a degree program. Please note that the completion of a Quinnipiac University degree does not guarantee employment or eligibility to receive a license or credential in every state or location in that profession. In many cases, there are state laws and there may be additional requirements (e.g., background checks and/or fingerprinting, professional exams, years of supervised professional work experience, fee requirements, etc.). The state professional licensing boards make the ultimate decision as to whether or not an individual will be eligible to apply for licensure/certification based on the rules and regulations in place at the time the individual submits their application for licensure.

Relocation while enrolled in a program leading to professional licensure may impact students’ ability to remain in the program, meet state licensing requirements, and/or receive financial aid funding. Students who are considering relocation are advised to first contact their academic program director and the student financial aid office to discuss the potential impact of relocation. Students are advised to also contact the state licensing agency for the state to which they are relocating, to determine new licensing requirements they may need to meet. 

Programs for Licensure and Certification Disclosure

Accounting

Quinnipiac’s Master of Science in Accounting program prepares graduates for the Uniform Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Examination and provides students with the appropriate coursework to meet the 150-hour education requirement for CPA certification in all states. The successful completion of the Uniform CPA Exam is a requirement for CPA licensure in all 55 jurisdictions (all 50 states, District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, Northern Mariana Islands and Virgin Islands). Access contact information on state accountancy boards.

Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Certificates

The Advanced Diagnostic Imaging program is formally recognized by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Students who graduate from the program will meet ARRT’s educational and clinical eligibility requirement for certification in one of three tracks, Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resource Imaging or Mammography. Currently there are different licensure requirements by state. Information regarding specific requirements of each state can be accessed at the ARRT website as well as the website of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT).

Cardiovascular Perfusion

Quinnipiac’s cardiovascular perfusion program is accredited through the Accreditation Committee – Perfusion Education (AC-PE) ac-pe.org by the Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) caahep.org The program prepares students for certification in all states and territories of the U.S. including Washington, D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. To become a certified clinical perfusionist (CCP), graduates must pass the Perfusion Basic Sciences Exam (PBSE) and the Clinical Applications in Perfusion Exam (CAPE). Graduates are eligible to take the PBSE when they have completed at least 75 procedures as a primary perfusionist and have graduated from the program. To be eligible for the CAPE, graduates must perform an additional 50 procedures after their graduation date, usually as an employee of a hospital. For more information on the certification exams: Visit American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion website

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Upon completion of their Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, students are eligible to apply for the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography certification. Graduates may take the Sonography Physics and Instrumentation examination in addition to the following ARDMS specialty examinations: abdomen and small parts, breast, musculoskeletal, vascular technology and obstetrics/gynecology. The BS in Diagnostic Medical Sonography meets the professional licensing requirements of states where licensure is required. Currently, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Oregon are the only states with approved legislation mandating the licensure of sonographers. For more information, visit the website of the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

Education - Master of Arts in Teaching

Becoming a licensed teacher requires the teacher candidates meet the regulatory requirements of the state in which the teaching license is sought. While Quinnipiac University’s School of Education, being located in Connecticut, has developed its licensure programs to fully meet the State of Connecticut’s certification requirements, many of our teacher candidate students are hired out of state. While it is not possible for any one program to meet the extent, variation, and revisionary nature of the criteria for licensure in all 50 states, the School of Education’s certification officer and faculty work with individual students as they progress through the program both to be aware of various state regulations and to support each student to successfully be licensed in the state they choose. Advising students as to the requirements that may need to be met, providing letters of support and transcript analyses to state departments outside of Connecticut, and proactively helping teacher candidates has successfully allowed our teacher candidates to understand and meet requirements that differ from the Connecticut state statutes and regulations for licensure. See information for out-of-state students from external licensing boards.

Educational Leadership

Becoming a licensed educational administrator requires that candidates meet the regulatory requirements of the state in which the administrator license is sought. Quinnipiac University’s School of Education’s Sixth-Year Diploma in Educational Leadership, as a fully online, asynchronous program, has developed the program to fully meet the State of Connecticut’s certification and licensure requirements for the #092 licensure, which provides a basis for reciprocity in multiple states. Passage of the Connecticut Administrator’s Test (CAT) is a requirement of program completion. While it is not possible for any one program to meet the extent, variation, and revisionary nature of the criteria for the comparable administrator licensure in all 50 states, the School of Education’s certification officer and faculty work with individual students as they progress through the program both to be aware of various state regulations and to support each student to successfully be licensed in the state they choose. Advising students as to the requirements that may need to be met, providing letters of support and transcript analyses to state departments outside of Connecticut, and proactively helping candidates has successfully allowed our candidates to understand and meet requirements that may differ from the Connecticut state statutes and regulations for licensure. See information for out-of-state students from external licensing boards.

Engineering

The curriculum of Quinnipiac’s four engineering programs—BS Civil Engineering, BS Industrial Engineering, BS Mechanical Engineering and BS Software Engineering—meets the educational requirements for Professional Engineering (PE) licensure in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. View contact information for all state licensing boards at The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) website. 

Law

Quinnipiac University School of Law is approved by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association, 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654, 312-988-6738. All 50 states recognize graduation from an ABA-approved law school as meeting the legal education requirements for eligibility to sit for the bar examination. Candidates may also sit for the bar in Washington DC, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Medicine

The Quinnipiac University Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine Program is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) and thereby meets the academic requirements for state medical licensure in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Nursing

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, Master of Science in Nursing program, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Quinnipiac University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (aacnnursing.org/CCNE).

The Quinnipiac BS in Nursing Program meets the State of Connecticut education requirements for a Registered Nurse License. Quinnipiac has not determined if the program meets the state education requirements in any other State, US Territory, or District of Columbia. Applicants should investigate requirements prior to accepting an offer of admission to Quinnipiac for the BS in Nursing program. The licensure boards in each state establish their own requirements for licensure or certification for their state. The state professional licensing boards will make decisions on whether or not an individual is eligible for license based on regulation in place at time of application for licensure. Please see the National Council State Board of Nursing website for more guidance on Registered Nurse Licensure as well as the licensure requirements and contact information for each state/jurisdiction.

The Quinnipiac MSN program with Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specializations qualify the graduate to sit for the national certification exams offered through AANP or ANCC. Educational requirements for eligibility to apply for licensure varies from state to state. It is the responsibility of each prospective applicant and student to know the educational requirements in the state for which you plan to apply for licensure. View state-specific information about the advanced practice nursing licensing requirements.

The Quinnipiac DNP Nurse Anesthesia program prepares students to become Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). CRNAs are licensed to practice in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. In many states, CRNAs are classified as a type of advanced practice registered nurse and must be licensed by the relevant state licensing authority. View state-specific information about the advanced practice nursing licensing requirements.

Occupational Therapy

The dual-degree bachelor of science/master of occupational therapy (BS/MOT) and the entry-level doctor of occupational therapy (EOTD) programs at Quinnipiac University are fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E Bethesda, MD  20814. ACOTE's contact information is as follows: phone: 301-652-6611; fax: 301-652-1417; email: accred@aota.org; website: acoteonline.org

All graduates of these programs are eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). All states and jurisdictions require graduation from an ACOTE accredited occupational therapy program and passing the NBCOT exam is a requirement for state licensure. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) website provides links to state regulations regarding qualifications and licensure, including continuing competency requirements, scope of practice by state and a list of the states that offer temporary licensure to graduates from ACOTE-accredited programs who have not yet passed the NBCOT exam.

Pathologists' Assistant

Quinnipiac University is a charter member of the American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants (AAPA) and is a founding member of the Association of Pathologists’ Assistant Training Programs. This MHS Pathologists’ Assistant program is fully accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) meeting all established didactic and clinical curriculum standards established. As such, this program meets all requirements for U.S. and Canadian certification/licensure for graduates through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) which is fully recognized by all U.S. States and Canada.

Physical Therapy

The Physical Therapy program at Quinnipiac University has determined that its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in all states, the District of Colombia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands secondary to its accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, based on the following: CAPTE accreditation of a physical therapist program satisfies state educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Thus, students graduating from the Quinnipiac University CAPTE-accredited physical therapist education program are eligible to take the National Physical Therapy Examination and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, refer to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy website.

Physician Assistant

Quinnipiac’s MHS Physician Assistant program prepares students for the National Certifying Exam (PANCE). PAs earn national certification from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). All 50 states require graduation from an accredited program and/or certification following successful completion of the PANCE as conditions for initial physician assistant licensure. Quinnipiac’s physician assistant program offers the curriculum necessary for licensure in all 50 states. View a complete summary of initial licensure requirements in all 50 states. For information on the National Certification of PAs, visit the NCCPA website. For contact information for all states’ licensing boards, visit the AAPA website. 

Physician Assistant graduate program accreditation

At its September 2023 meeting, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) placed the Quinnipiac University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Quinnipiac University on Accreditation-Probation status until its next review in September 2025. 

Probation accreditation is a temporary accreditation status initially of not less than two years. However, that period may be extended by the ARC-PA for up to an additional two years if the ARC-PA finds that the program is making substantial progress toward meeting all applicable standards but requires additional time to come into full compliance. Probation accreditation status is granted, at the sole discretion of the ARC-PA, when a program holding an accreditation status of Accreditation - Provisional or Accreditation - Continued does not, in the judgment of the ARC-PA, meet the Standards or when the capability of the program to provide an acceptable educational experience for its students is threatened.

Once placed on probation, a program that fails to comply with accreditation requirements in a timely manner, as specified by the ARC-PA, may be scheduled for a focused site visit and is subject to having its accreditation withdrawn.

Specific questions regarding the Program and its plans should be directed to the Program Director and/or the appropriate institutional official(s).

The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-quinnipiac-university/.

• The temporary Accreditation-Probation status does not affect the ability of students to take the PANCE or seek licensure.
• Review our Accreditation FAQs

Radiologic Sciences     

The Radiologic Sciences program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) and meets all standards required for certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and to apply for initial licensure in all states. Some states require additional state sponsored training as part of the initial license application. Those requirements are the sole responsibility of the licensing state. Information regarding specific requirements of each state can be accessed at the ARRT website as well as the website of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT).

Radiologist Assistant   

The Radiologist Assistant program is formally recognized by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Students who graduate from the program will meet ARRT’s educational eligibility requirement for certification and registration as Registered Radiologist Assistants. Currently there are different licensure requirements by state, which are available on the website of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT).

Social Work

Quinnipiac University provides this disclosure regarding its educational qualifications for social work licensure. Students are responsible to review the requirements for states and jurisdictions prior to matriculation and financial obligations.

The MSW Program at Quinnipiac University is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This accreditation by the CSWE meets the educational requirements for taking the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam and is the basic requirement for social work licensure in most states.

The MSW curriculum at Quinnipiac University meets the academic requirements for licensure as a licensed master social worker (LMSW) and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in Connecticut. The MSW degree from Quinnipiac University meets the initial educational requirements for graduate and clinical licensure requirements in all states, excepting California and New Mexico.

Please consult the appropriate licensing entities for states and jurisdictions regarding their specific and additional requirements for the licensure of social work professionals on the Association of Social Work Boards website. 

¹

At this time, Quinnipiac cannot make a determination about whether any of its programs meet the requirements for professional licensure in the American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.