Professional Licensure Disclosures
The requirements vary from state to state, both in whether a license is required and what you must do to become a licensed professional.
Because licensure requirements can vary from state to state, if you are seeking a professional licensure as part of your career goals, it is important you understand whether or not WOU’s program of study will fulfill licensure requirements in the state you ultimately wish to practice. WOU’s programs are designed to satisfy Oregon license requirements.
Many professions in the United States have state-level licensing requirements: to be employed in that occupation or profession in that state, you must obtain a license, certificate, certification, or other endorsement (on this page, we’ll use the term “license” to refer to all of these).
License components can include:
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- Education requirements, such as requiring a certain degree, specific courses, continuing education, etc.
- Tests, exams, or other demonstration of skills/expertise
- Practical experience requirements, such as internships or practicums
- Application fees or other costs
WOU has programs that are designed to satisfy professional license requirements in the state of Oregon.
If you are interested in pursuing one of our licensure programs and intend to practice outside of the state of Oregon, we are here to help make sure you know whether or not our program will satisfy licensure requirements in your state before enrolling at Western Oregon University.
Our programs are designed to meet Oregon licensure requirements, as well as requirements of different accrediting bodies and professional organization. As a result, it is possible they may satisfy requirements in other states or there may be state-by-state reciprocity agreements in place. Check out our state-by-state licensure resource to see if our program is suitable for licensure in your state.
Below you will find the following information and resources:
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- State by State Licensure Information, By Program
- How to Find Licensure Information in your State
- Connect with our Graduate Studies Staff & Faculty to Answer Questions
We have provided information below about the educational components that our programs may fulfill. Our programs are designed for Oregon licensure requirements but in some cases, we have successfully verified they will satisfy licensure requirements in California or Washington. This varies by program so be sure to verify your understanding using our state-by-state licensure resource and please contact us if you have additional questions or concerns.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Licensure can be confusing and it’s important to us that you’re set up for success in reaching your goals.
To find information about licensure within a specific state, select the program in which you are interested from the menu below. Alternatively, state licensure disclosures are also included for each state on our Authorization by State resource page.
Undergraduate Licensure
Teaching Licensure Program
Major in Accounting
Graduate Licensure
Master’s of Arts
in Teaching
Master’s of Science in Education (Special Education)
Master’s of Science in Education (Deaf & Hard of Hearing Education)
Master’s of Science in Rehabilitation &
Mental Health Counseling
(Licensed Professional Counselor Licensure)
Reading Endorsement & Certificate
ESOL Endorsement & Certificate
Elementary Mathematics Certificate & Specialization
Additional Licensure Resources
Undergraduate Licensure
Undergraduate Teaching License
The undergraduate teacher licensure program satisfies licensure requirements for a teaching license in the following states:
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- Oregon
- California
The undergraduate teacher licensure program satisfies licensure requirements for a teaching license in the following states, with additional requirements:
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- Washington (with the additional requirement of a basic skills assessment)
We have not been able to affirmatively verify that the undergraduate teacher licensure program satisfies licensure requirements for a teaching license in the following states. As a result, students should operate under the assumption that our undergraduate teacher licensure program does not satisfy license requirements in these states.
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- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Undergraduate Major in Accounting (if pursuing Certified Public Accountant Licensure)
The Undergraduate Major in Accounting (if pursuing Certified Public Accountant licensure) satisfies licensure requirements for a teaching license in the following states:
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- Oregon
We have not been able to affirmatively verify that the Undergraduate Major in Accounting (if pursuing Certified Public Accountant licensure) satisfies licensure requirements for a teaching license in the following states. As a result, students should operate under the assumption that our Undergraduate Major in Accounting (if pursuing Certified Public Accountant licensure) does not satisfy license requirements in these states.
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- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Graduate Licensure
Master's of Arts in Teaching
The M.A. in Teaching satisfies licensure requirements for a teaching license in the following states:
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- Oregon
- California
The M.A. in Teaching satisfies licensure requirements for a teaching license in the following states, with additional requirements:
-
- Washington: with the additional requirement of a basic skills assessment.
We have not been able to affirmatively verify that the M.A. in Teaching satisfies licensure requirements for a teaching license in the following states. As a result, students should operate under the assumption that our M.A. in Teaching does not satisfy license requirements in these states.
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- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Master's of Science in Education (Special Education)
The M.S. Education, Special Education (Generalist) satisfies licensure requirements for a teaching license in the following states:
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- Oregon
The M.S. Education, Special Education (Generalist) satisfies licensure requirements for a teaching license in the following states, with additional requirements:
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- California: meets for a Level-1 Credential in one of the focused areas in special education
- Washington: with additional requirements, such as a basic skills assessment.
We have not been able to affirmatively verify that the M.S. Education, Special Education (Generalist) satisfies licensure requirements for a teaching license in the following states. As a result, students should operate under the assumption that our M.S. Education, Special Education (Generalist) does not satisfy license requirements in these states.
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- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Master's of Science in Education (Deaf & Hard of Hearing Education)
The M.S. Education, Special Education (Deaf & Hard of Hearing Education) satisfies licensure requirements for a teaching license in the following states:
-
- Oregon
The M.S. Education, Special Education (Deaf & Hard of Hearing Education) satisfies licensure requirements for a teaching license in the following states, with additional requirements:
-
- California: meets for a Level-1 Credential in one of the focused areas in special education
- Washington: with additional requirements, such as a basic skills assessment
We have not been able to affirmatively verify that the M.S. Education, Special Education (Deaf & Hard of Hearing Education) satisfies licensure requirements for a teaching license in the following states. As a result, students should operate under the assumption that our M.S. Education, Special Education (Deaf & Hard of Hearing Education) does not satisfy license requirements in these states.
-
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Master's of Science in Rehabilitation & Mental Health Counseling (Licensed Professional Counselor Licensure)
The M.S. in Rehabilitation & Mental Health Counseling (Licensed Professional Counselor licensure) satisfies licensure requirements for a teaching license in the following states:
-
- Oregon
We have not been able to affirmatively verify that the M.S. in Rehabilitation & Mental Health Counseling (Licensed Professional Counselor licensure) satisfies licensure requirements for a teaching license in the following states. As a result, students should operate under the assumption that our M.S. in Rehabilitation & Mental Health Counseling (Licensed Professional Counselor licensure) does not satisfy license requirements in these states.
-
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Reading Endorsement & Certificate
The Reading Endorsement & Certificate satisfies licensure requirements for a teaching license in the following states, with additional requirements:
-
- Washington: with the additional requirement of a basic skills assessment
We have not been able to affirmatively verify that the Reading Endorsement & Certificate satisfies licensure requirements for a teaching license in the following states. As a result, students should operate under the assumption that our Reading Endorsement & Certificate does not satisfy license requirements in these states.
-
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
ESOL Endorsement & Certificate
The ESOL Endorsement & Certificate satisfies licensure requirements for a teaching license in the following states:
-
- Oregon
We have not been able to affirmatively verify that the ESOL Endorsement & Certificate satisfies licensure requirements for a teaching license in the following states. As a result, students should operate under the assumption that our ESOL Endorsement & Certificate does not satisfy license requirements in these states.
-
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Elementary Mathematics Certificate & Specialization
The ESOL Endorsement & Certificate satisfies licensure requirements for a teaching license in the following states:
-
- Oregon
- Washington
We have not been able to affirmatively verify that the ESOL Endorsement & Certificate satisfies licensure requirements for a teaching license in the following states. As a result, students should operate under the assumption that our ESOL Endorsement & Certificate does not satisfy license requirements in these states.
-
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Review Additional Licensure Resources
Reach out to your state’s licensure board directly to learn more or review their web-based resources. NC-SARA has created resources on professional licensure, including a directory of state license boards for programs that frequently require licensure (NC-SARA Professional Licensure Resources).
We recommend becoming familiar with the licensure requirements in the state you intend to practice regardless of whether you enroll at WOU or not. If you become a licensed practitioner, there may be steps you need to take to maintain your license over your career. Familiarizing yourself with these professional expectations now will set you up for greater career success.
Here are some tips for contacting your state board and finding out more about what programs satisfy different licensure requirements.
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- Go to the main website for the state or territory and search for the profession you are interested in. Be sure to search for multiple terms (e.g., “lawyer,” “attorney,” and “counselor at law”). The agency names often include words such as board, license or licensing, profession, accreditation, council, etc.
- This will enable you to obtain the most up-to-date information about licensure requirements and confirm how an academic program fits those requirements.
- It may be necessary for you to contact the licensing agency directly to find out if an academic program will meet the educational requirements of that license.
- After you’ve chosen and begun a program, we recommend that you continue to regularly check the licensing agency requirements, in case of changes that affect your plans. If there is a professional organization or group in that state for people in that profession, joining that group can be an easy way to hear about changes in advance, as well as getting connected to the professional community that you will be a part of. Most professional organizations will allow students to join for a minimal fee.
Talk with our Graduate Studies Staff and our Faculty
Our faculty and staff are familiar with the career paths and experiences of many of our graduates, as well as considerations for working in different fields. Please feel comfortable reaching out to our Graduate Studies team or the coordinator in the program of study in which you are interested.
Our staff and faculty may be able to provide you more information on the design and curriculum of our program, experiences of previous students, and whether licensure is required for your particular career goals. We’re always happy to talk with prospective students!
This information is provided in compliance with 34 CFR §668.43 and the requirements for participation in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA).
