Professional Licensure
In compliance with the U.S. Department of Education for participation in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA), Arapahoe Community College (ACC) provides information pertaining to professional licensure and certification in correlation with programs offered at ACC that may lead to state licensure.
Students are advised to review the following information BEFORE beginning a program at ACC that leads to professional licensure with the intent to be licensed outside of the state of Colorado:
- Review the licensing information provided for the applicable program(s) below.
- Contact the appropriate licensing agency in the U.S. states and territories where licensure is intended. This will enable you to obtain the most up-to-date information about licensure requirements and confirm how an ACC program facilitates those requirements.
Only a select few of ACC’s programs are formally approved for professional licensure. However, while a program may not be formally approved in states outside of Colorado, it may still meet all or a portion of the “educational” requirements for licensure in other states and territories.
ACC makes determinations on an annual basis or as needed based on laws or curriculum updates. ACC recommend you check licensing agency requirements regularly to monitor whether these have changed in a manner that impacts your licensure plans. We also encourage you to contact the licensing agency directly to find out if an ACC program will meet educational requirements in states other than Colorado.
To learn more about each program and the states that require professional licensures or certifications, please review the information below.
For additional assistance pertaining to professional licensing compliance, please contact Cheryl Calhoun, Provost and Vice President for Instruction at cheryl [dot] calhoun [at] arapahoe [dot] edu (cheryl[dot]calhoun[at]arapahoe[dot]edu).
ACC Programs
Cosmetology
- Cosmetology Certificate
As a student applying for or attending the Cosmetology Program, you have the right to know the program meets the applicable state prerequisites for licensure or certification in Colorado.
Completion of the Cosmetology Certificate prepares students to take the State of Colorado licensure boards/exams, and the program meets the requirements for cosmetology licensing in the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia.
The Cosmetology program does not meet the requirements for licensing in the following states: Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Many states allow individuals who hold cosmetology licenses from other states to apply for licensure by reciprocity. Each state has different requirements for licensure by reciprocity, and students are encouraged to visit the Department of Regulator Affairs (DORA) for the state they want to practice in to get further specifics.
The state testing entity for cosmetology in Colorado is PSI Services, LLC. You can find information about scheduling exams, accessing the candidate handbook, and other related details on their website or by contacting them directly.
Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure | 303.894.7800
PSI Services, LLC PSI Exams website | 1.800.773.9267
Early Childhood Education Level I
Early Childhood Assistant Teacher Certificate
Early Childhood Infant/Toddler Supervisor Certificate
Early Childhood Teacher Certificate
As a student applying for or attending the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Program, you have the right to know it meets the educational portion of the credentialing criteria for Colorado. ACC’s programs give students their first step by completing the educational requirements of the program. You must also complete a specific number of verified experience in the care and supervision of four (4) or more children less than eight (8) years of age who are not related to the individual before you can obtain the certification in Colorado. The link below provides you with the specific number of hours required based on the program you are pursuing.
Early Childhood Teacher Qualification Pathway Chart
Our ECE certificate programs do not prepare you to teach in: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, 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, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Washington D.C., American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands.
Colorado Department of Early Childhood Licensing and Administration | 303.866.5948
Early Childhood Education Director
Early Childhood Education Director Certificate
As a student applying for or attending the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Program, you have the right to know it meets the educational portion of the credentialing criteria for Colorado. The ECE Director Certificate gives students their first step by completing the educational requirements of the program. You must also complete 910 hours of verified experience in the care and supervision of four (4) or more children less than eight (8) years of age who are not related to the individual before you can obtain the certification in Colorado.
ACC’s ECE Director Certificate does not prepare you to teach in: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, 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, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Washington D.C., American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands.
Colorado Department of Early Childhood Licensing and Administration | 303.866.5948
State-by-state information is available at the National Database of Childcare Licensing Regulations website.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
EMT Certificate
As a student applying for or attending the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certificate, you have the right to know the program meets the applicable state prerequisites for licensure or certification in Colorado.
Successful completion of the EMT program makes the students eligible to sit for the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT). Successful completion of the NREMT, at the specific provider level, makes the students eligible for certification in the states or U.S. Territories listed below. Other certification requirements may exist for a state. If a student is considering seeking certification in a state other than Colorado, the student is encouraged to contact that state EMS office directly by clicking the link for the state or U.S. Territory below.
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, 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, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands.
Alaska, and New York have ‘alternative methods’ of certification for EMT, but our program prepares students to meet requirements.
Our program does not meet the requirements for American Samoa. Students should contact the U.S. territory for additional information.
Additional information about transferability of EMS certifications can be found on the EMS Compact page.
Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment: EMS Provider Certification | 303.692.2000
Law Enforcement Academy (POST)
Law Enforcement Academy Certificate
As a student applying for or attending the Law Enforcement Academy, you have the right to know the program meets the licensure or certification criteria for the state of Colorado.
The Law Enforcement Academy program does not meet applicable state prerequisites for licensure or certification for the following states and U.S. Territories: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, 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, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands.
Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board | 720.508.6721
State or U.S. territory information is available on the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training site.
Medical Assistant
Medical Assistant Certificate
Medical Office Administrative Assistant Certificate
As a student applying for or attending the Medical Assistant Certificate, you have the right to know Colorado does not require a medical assistant license.
Currently only Washington state requires medical assistants to be licensed/certified. California, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee may require medical assistants to have completed specific education or certifications to perform some medical assisting tasks.
Graduates of the Medical Assistant program at ACC could seek a Certification or Registration, depending on the agency through which the individual sits for the exam. Those earning their title by successfully passing the exam are generally completing some version of the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) or Registered Medical Assistant (RMA).
As of 2024 the Medical Assistant programs at ACC do not meet the state of Washington requirements for professional licensure nor CMA/RMA certification requirements.
American Association of Medical Assistants: State Scope of Practice Laws | 312.899.1500
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Laboratory Technology, AAS
Medical Laboratory Science, BAS
As a student applying for or attending the Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) program, you have the right to know Colorado does not require licensure or certification to work in Medical Laboratory Technology. Most employers in this industry do require national certification.
Currently 13 states or U.S. Territories require some level of education and certification. These include California, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Tennessee, West Virginia, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico.
The MLT programs prepare students for the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or American Medical Technologies (AMT) Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) certifications, which are recognized as part of the licensure requirements in each of the states listed above.
Therefore, the MLT programs prepare students to work in California, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Tennessee, West Virginia, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico.
American Society for Clinical Pathology | 312.541.4999
American Medical Technologists | 847.823.5169
Mortuary Science
Mortuary Science, AAS
As a student applying for or attending the Mortuary Science program, you have the right to know Colorado that, as of July 1, 2024, mortuary science professionals must graduate from an American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE) accredited school and pass both parts of the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards (ICFSE) national board exam prior to the state granting their license. Some states, including Colorado, may require provisional licensure with apprenticeship following the listed educational requirements and exams prior to “full-license” status.
ACC has determined as an ABFSE accredited program, the Mortuary Science Program meets applicable state prerequisites for licensure or certification in Colorado. Additionally, our program also meets applicable state prerequisites for licensure or certification in other states and U.S. territories to include: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, 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, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Colorado Division of Regulatory Agencies: Office of Funeral Home and Mortuary Science Services Division of Professions and Occupations | 303.894.7800
National Funeral Directors Association: Licensing Boards and Requirements | 262.789.1880
Nurse Aide
Nurse Aide Certificate
As a student applying for or attending the Nurse Aide Certificate, you have the right to know the program qualifies you to sit for the National Nurse Aide Assessment Exam in Colorado.
Our certificate program also qualifies you to sit for the National Nurse Aide Assessment Exam in the following states or U.S. territories: Alabama, Alaska, California, District of Columbia, Georgia, Guam, Mariana Islands, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, Virgin Islands, and Washington.
The nurse aide program does not qualify graduates to sit for the National Nurse Aide Assessment Exam in the following states and U.S. territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, American Samoa, and Puerto Rico.
Colorado Board of Nursing Certification Site: Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) | 303.894.7800
The National Nurse Aide Assessment Program: Exam | 312.525.3600
Nursing
Nursing, AAS
Nursing, AAS PN to RN
(See Practical Nurse section for Practical Nurse Certificate disclosure.)
As a student applying for or attending a Nursing program, you have the right to know the program meets the applicable state prerequisites for certification in Colorado. A registered nurse must take, and pass, the NCLEX-RN exam in the state in which they plan to practice. The Nursing program qualifies students to sit for the NCLEX-RN in Colorado.
Once a graduate receives the Colorado State license, they may then practice in the following states based on the Nurse Licensure Compact:
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. (NCSBN, 2024)
Connecticut and the U.S. Virgin Islands are awaiting NLC implementation. Students may practice in these states once the compact has been implemented.
ACC’s Nursing program does not meet the state licensure requirements for the states below, as ACC graduates cannot practice in these states and U.S. territories without obtaining additional licenses.
Alaska, California, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Oregon, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico. Pennsylvania and Guam have partial implementation of the NLC (NCSBN, 2024).
Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies State Board of Nursing | 303.894.7800
National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) Nurse Licensure Compact | 312.525.3600
Paralegal
Paralegal Certificate
Paralegal, AAS
As a student applying for or attending a Paralegal program, you have the right to know that Colorado does not directly regulate the paralegals or require a license to practice as a paralegal in the state.
To our knowledge, California is the only state that directly regulates paralegals, and our program meets the applicable state educational licensure requirements in this state.
ACC’s paralegal program is ABA approved and the program is designed to prepare students to practice in all 50 states.
American Bar Association Regulation of Paralegals | 800.285.2221
Paramedic and Paramedicine
Paramedic Certificate
Paramedic Preparation Certificate
Paramedicine, AAS
As a student applying for or attending the Paramedic program, you have the right to know that this program meets the applicable state prerequisites for licensure or certification in Colorado.
Successful completion of Paramedic program makes the students eligible to sit for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). Successful completion of the NREMT, at the specific provider level, makes the students eligible for certification in the following states and U.S. Territories: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, 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, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming and U.S. Territories of Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands.
New York has ‘alternative methods’ of certification, but our program prepares students to meet the state requirements.
Our program does not meet the requirements for American Samoa. Students should contact the U.S. territory for additional information.
Additional information about transferability of EMS certifications can be found on the EMS Compact page.
Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment: EMS Provider Certification | 303.692.2000
Phlebotomy
Phlebotomy Certificate
As a student applying for or attending the Phlebotomy Certificate program, you have the right to know that Colorado does not require a license to work in Phlebotomy.
ACC has determined the Phlebotomy program does not meet the state requirements for the following states: California, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, and Maine. Louisiana, Nevada, and Washington require certification in addition to the educational requirements.
Graduates of the Phlebotomy program could seek a certification through six accredited national phlebotomy certificate agencies. Most common certifications include Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), National Phlebotomy Association Certification (NPA), and American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) certification. If graduates obtain a certification, they can meet the state requirements in Louisiana, Nevada, and Washington.
National Phlebotomy Association: NPA | National Phlebotomy Association|301.386.4200
Physical Therapist Assistant
Physical Therapist Assistant, AAS
As a student applying for or attending the Physical Therapist Assistant Program you have the right to know the program meets the applicable state prerequisites for certification in Colorado. PTA students are Certified by the Colorado Board of Physical Therapy. They must graduate from a CAPTE accredited school and pass a national board exam (FSBPT) prior to the state granting their certification.
As a CAPTE accredited program, the Physical Therapist Assistant Program meets applicable state prerequisites for licensure or certification in states other than Colorado. Students must apply for a license/certification in each state or territory in which they want to practice. Other states include: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, 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, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. U.S. Territories include: American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Colorado State Physical Therapy Board PTA Certification Physical Therapy HOME | Division of Professions and Occupations (colorado.gov) | 303.894.7800
Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy Licensing Authorities and Contact Information | 703.299.3100
Practical Nurse
Practical Nurse Certificate
As a student applying for or attending the Practical Nurse Certificate Program, you have the right to know the program meets the applicable state prerequisites for certification in Colorado. A practical nurse must take, and pass, the NCLEX-PN exam in the state in which they plan to practice. The Practical Nursing program qualifies students to sit for the NCLEX-PN in Colorado.
Additionally, graduates from the Practical Nursing program can sit for the NCLEX-PN in the following states and territories: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, 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, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands.
National Council State Board of Nursing NCSBN Regulatory Exam – Practical Nurse | 866.293.9600
Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies State Board of Nursing | 303.894.7800