Recognition of Foreign Qualifications
International Affairs Office, U.S. Department of Education 12/2007
http://www.ed.gov/international/usnei/us/profrecog.doc
Recognition of Foreign Qualifications:
Professional Recognition
NOTE:
The U.S. Department of Education and USNEI do not
evaluate foreign degrees or qualifications. Please DO
NOT submit requests for such evaluations to us or
submit diplomas or other records for review. Refer to
the LINKs below.
See
Visiting the United
States for important
information about the process of coming to the
United States.
The competent U.S. authority for recognizing previous
education and qualifications, including licenses, in
regulated professions is the appropriate state or
territorial licensing authority that regulates the
profession in the jurisdiction where you intend to
live and work.
There are over 50 professional fields that are
licensed in all U.S. states and territories, of which
a majority require some formal postsecondary
education or training as a prerequisite for entry.
Not all of these professions have specialized
credential evaluation services, nor do all of them
have procedures for recognizing non-U.S.
qualifications. The information below is provided for
professions in which there are recognized U.S.
accrediting agencies for pre-professional education.
This information should not be considered exhaustive,
and you should always consult state licensing boards
and professional associations directly for the most
timely and authoritative guidance.
GENERAL
RESOURCES
Council on Licensure, Enforcement
and Regulation (CLEAR) is a national
association of state and provincial licensing
authorities (it includes Canadian boards). The
website provides extensive information,
directories, and links to licensing boards and
national professional associations.
Federation of Associations of
Regulatory Boards (FARB) is an organization
composed of national associations of state
licensing boards in selected professional fields,
providing information on joint activities and
links.
National Organization for
Competency Assurance (NOCA) is an organization of
professional associations and licensing
examination bodies that have agreed to common
standards and submit to NOCA accreditation.
ACCOUNTING
(ACCOUNTANCY)
American Institute of Certified
Public Accountants (AICPA) provides extensive
information and resources concerning the practice
of accounting in the United States, becoming an
accountant, and information on legal issues
including links to state associations and
licensing authorities.
International CPA
Applicants is information and
guidance prepared for accountancy graduates from
outside the United States who seek to take the
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Examination.
National Association of State
Boards of Accountancy (NASBA)
provides
information on state licensing boards, the
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Examination, and
the International Qualifications Examination
(IQEX) for non-U.S. accountants seeking
recognition for purposes of working with U.S.
accountants or prior to taking the U.S. CPA
examination.
ALLIED
HEALTH PROFESSIONS
The allied health professions are generally
considered to include most of the clinical
laboratory, assisting, and diagnostic specializations
that provide specialized support to nurses and
physicians.
Commission on Graduates of Foreign
Nursing Schools (CGFNS) is authorized by the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security to conduct
credential evaluations and issue certificates of
eligibility for non-U.S. holders of qualifications
in medical technology, clinical laboratory
science, medical and clinical laboratory
technicians, and physician assistants as well as
occupational and physical therapy (see below).
American Board for Certification in
Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthic Care
(ABCOP)
provides
information on the professions that provide
technical and clinical care to patients requiring
medical protheses, shoes, and other therapeutic
devices; certification and licensure; and
educational requirements.
ARCHITECTURE
AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
National Council of Architecture
Registration Boards (NCARB) provides information
on the licensure of architects, state
requirements, and links to state boards.
NCARB Requirements for
Certification of Foreign Architects
provides
guidance for non-U.S. architects seeking to become
registered in the United States.
NCARB Reciprocity
Information provides information
on state reciprocity arrangements.
EESA-NCARB Evaluation Services for
Architects is the approved
credential evaluation service for non-U.S.
architects seeking to become registered by state
licensing boards.
Council of Landscape Architectural
Registration Boards (CLARB) provides information
on the licensure of landscape architects in the
United States, including the Landscape
Architecture Registration Examination (LARE). The
website may be difficult to navigate depending on
your system characteristics.
CHIROPRACTIC
Federation of Chiropractic
Licensing Boards (FCLB)
provides
information on U.S. requirements for the licensure
of chiropractors, including state policies and
links to state boards.
National Board of Chiropractic
Examiners (NBCE)
provides
information on licensing examinations, including
the Special Purpose Exam for Chiropractic (SPEC)
for which licensed non-U.S. chiropractors are
eligible.
COSMETOLOGY
There is no nationally recognized credential
evaluation service or recognition process for the
cosmetology professions. Check with individual state
boards for guidance.
National Interstate Council of
State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC)
provides
information on licensure in the professions
related to hairstyling, barbering, nail care and
other cosmetic services.
COUNSELING
There is no nationally recognized credential
evaluation service or recognition process for the
counseling professions. Check with individual state
boards for guidance.
American Counseling Association
(ACA) Licensure and Certification Page
provides
information and resources on the requirements and
procedures for the licensing of counselors in the
United States.
National Board for Certified
Counselors (NBCC) provides information
on national and state certification examinations.
provides information on the licensed profession of
school counselor and state certification
requirements.
American Association of State
Counseling Boards (AASCB) provides information
on state licensing policies, portability of
licenses, and links to state boards.
American School Counselor
Association (ASCA) provides information
about the certification of counselors licensed to
provide services to students and parents in U.S.
schools.
DENTISTRY
AND DENTAL HYGIENE
American Dental Association (ADA) –
U.S. Licensure for International
Dentists provides extensive
information and resources on the process of
becoming licensed to practice in the United
States.
American Association of Dental
Examiners (AADE) provides information
on state licensure requirements and links to state
boards.
American Dental Hygiene Association
(ADHA) Licensure Facts provides information
on the procedure for becoming licensed as a dental
hygienist in the United States.
DIETETICS
American Dietetic Association (ADA)
International Fact Sheet provides detailed
information and resources on the process for
becoming a registered dietician or dietician
assistant in the United States, including a list
of authorized credential evaluation services.
Commission on Dietetic Registration
(CDR) provides information
on dietetic registration examinations and state
licensure laws, including links to state licensing
agencies.
ENGINEERING
National Society of Professional
Engineers (NSPE) provides information
on the engineering profession in the United States
including the various engineering specializations
and related licensure information.
Accrediting Board for Engineering
and Technology (ABET) provides, under
“International Activities” on its home page, links
to information on mutual recognition agreements
and memoranda of understanding with engineering
societies and educational institutions in other
countries as well as frequently asked questions
about obtaining recognition for non-U.S.
engineering education.
National Council of Examiners for
Engineering and Surveying (NCEES)
provides
extensive information on the process of becoming a
licensed professional engineer or surveyor in the
United States, including state boards and their
licensing requirements and licensing examinations.
NCEES Licensing Requirements
Survey provides, under
questions 23-25, information on individual state
policies respecting non-U.S. engineering
qualifications.
NCEES Licensure for
Engineers provides a guide to
the licensure process and specific requirements
for persons with non-U.S. engineering
qualifications.
Center for Professional Engineering
Education Services (CPEES) is the credential
evaluation service used by state engineering
licensure boards to evaluate applicants with
non-U.S. engineering qualifications.
FUNERAL
SERVICES
There is no nationally recognized credential
evaluation service or recognition process for the
funeral service and embalming professions. Check with
individual state boards for guidance.
American Board of Funeral Service
Education (ABFSE) provides general
information about the profession in the United
States.
International Conference of Funeral
Service Examining Boards (ICFSEB)
provides
more detailed information about funeral service
careers, state regulations, and links to state
licensing boards.
LAW
U.S. states and territories vary as to their policies
with respect to non-U.S. legal qualifications. Some
jurisdictions grant partial recognition and others do
not, and additional requirements may have to be met.
Check with individual state bar examination boards
for guidance and for any recommended credential
evaluation services.
American Bar Association (ABA)
Post-J.D. Programs provides information
on foreign study options for U.S. and non-U.S.
lawyers and information on bar admissions for
lawyers trained outside the United States.
National Conference of Bar
Examiners (NCBE) provides information
on admission to practice law, multi-state bar
examinations, and links to state boards of bar
examiners. Note: The website is secure but no
password is required – just click on “ok” and
proceed.
Comprehensive Guide to Bar
Admissions is the official guide
to admission to practice law in the United States,
and contains a table of state policies with
respect to the recognition of non-U.S. legal
qualifications.
MARRIAGE
AND FAMILY THERAPY
There is no nationally recognized credential
evaluation service or recognition process for
marriage and family therapy. Check with individual
state boards for guidance.
American Association of Marriage
and Family Therapy (AAMFT) provides extensive
information on the profession and links to
additional resources.
Association of Marital and Family
Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB)
provides
information on state licensing boards, the
national licensing examination, and other
resources.
MASSAGE
THERAPY
There is no nationally recognized credential
evaluation service or recognition process for the
massage therapy professions. Check with individual
state boards for guidance.
American Massage Therapy
Association (AMTA) provides information
on the U.S. profession and information on state
massage practice laws and requirements.
National Certification Board for
Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork
(NCBTMB) provides information
on national professional examinations and
certification, state regulations, and links to
state licensing authorities.
MEDICINE
Federation of State Medical Boards
(FSMB) provides information
on the medical licensure process in the United
States, educational and credentialing
requirements, examinations, and links to state
boards.
Educational Commission for Foreign
Medical Graduates (ECFMG) is the authorized
credential evaluation and guidance agency for
non-U.S. physicians and graduates of non-U.S.
medical schools who seek to practice in the United
States or apply for a U.S. medical residency
program. It provides comprehensive information and
resources on licensure, the U.S. Medical Licensure
Examination (USMLE), residencies, and recognition.
International Medical Education
Directory (IMED) provides information
on non-U.S. medical schools recognized by the
competent authorities in their home countries.
Reference Guide for Medical
Education Credentials provides a directory
of the medical qualifications from other countries
that are recognized by ECFMG as providing evidence
of comparability to U.S. first-professional
education in medicine.
NURSING
American Nurses Association (ANA)
Guide for Foreign Educated Nurses
provides
information on the process of becoming a
registered nurse (RN) in the United States with
non-U.S. nursing qualifications.
National Council of State Boards of
Nursing (NCSBN) provides information
on state boards and their policies, the NCLEX
examination for Registered and Licensed Practical
Nurses, the NNAAP competency evaluation for Nurse
Aides, and information on requirements for
international nurses.
Commission on Graduates of Foreign
Nursing Schools (CGFNS) is the authorized
credential evaluation service used by state boards
of nursing and the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security to certify the qualifications of nurses
educated outside the United States. (See Allied
Health Professions, above, for additional
information about CGFNS.)
OCCUPATIONAL
THERAPY
National Board for Certification in
Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
is the
authorized credential evaluation service for the
certification of occupational therapists trained
outside the United States.
OPTOMETRY
Association of Regulatory Boards of
Optometry (ARBO) provides information
on state optometry boards and regulations and
guidance for international optometrists interested
in qualifying for U.S. licensure.
National Board of Examiners in
Optometry (NBEO) provides information
on the process and examinations for becoming
licensed as an optometrist in the United States.
OSTEOPATHIC
MEDICINE (OSTEOPATHY)
There is no nationally recognized credential
evaluation service or recognition process for
oesteopathic medicine. Check with individual state
boards for guidance (see Medicine above).
National Board of Osteopathic
Medical Examiners (NBOME) provides information
on the U.S. national licensing examination for
osteopathic medicine.
American Osteopathic Association
International FAQs provides information
on policies and procedures related to the practice
of osteopathic medicine internationally.
PHARMACY
National Association of Boards of
Pharmacy (NABP) provides information
on state regulation of pharmacists and pharmacy
assistants, as well as links to state boards.
Foreign Pharmacy Graduate
Examination Committee (FPGEC)
provides
information on the required process for obtaining
an evaluation of non-U.S. qualifications in
pharmacy. FPGEC is operated by NABP and accepted
by state boards of pharmacy.
PHYSICAL
THERAPY
Federation of State Boards of
Physical Therapy (FSBPT) provides information
on state requirements for licensure as a physical
therapist or physical therapist assistant, links
to state boards, and details of the National
Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE).
FSBPT Licensure of Foreign-Educated
Physical Therapists provides information
on requirements for the U.S. licensure of physical
therapists trained outside the United States.
Foreign Credentialing Commission on
Physical Therapy (FCCPT) is the credential
evaluation service authorized by the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security and state
licensing boards to certify non-U.S. physical
therapy qualifications.
PODIATRIC
MEDICINE (PODIATRY)
There is no nationally recognized credential
evaluation service or recognition process for
podiatric medicine. Check with individual state
boards for guidance.
Federation of Podiatric Medical
Boards (FPMB) provides information
on the practice of podiatric medicine in the
United States, state requirements, and links to
state licensing boards.
PSYCHOLOGY
There is no nationally recognized credential
evaluation service or recognition process for the
professional practice of psychology. Check with
individual state boards for guidance.
Association of State and Provincial
Psychology Boards (ASPPB) provides information
on state boards, requirements for licensure,
approved U.S. doctoral programs, and other
matters.
American Board of Professional
Psychologists (ABPP) provides information
on the process of becoming certified to practice
various psychological specializations, usually at
the post-doctoral level.
National Association of School
Psychologists (NASP) provides information
on the process of becoming certified as a
psychologist licensed to provide diagnostic
services in schools.
SOCIAL
WORK
Association of Social Work Boards
(ASWB) provides
information on licensure
requirements, licensing examinations, and links to
state licensing boards.
Social Work Laws and Regulations
Online Comparison Guide provides a detailed
analysis of state licensing requirements including
recognition of non-U.S. social work
qualifications.
International Social Work Degree
Recognition and Evaluation Service
(ISWDRES) is the social work
credential evaluation service provided by the
Council on Social Work Education to state
licensing boards and applicants with non-U.S.
qualifications.
TEACHER
CERTIFICATION
Higher
Education. The role of professor or
other academic faculty in higher education
institutions is not a regulated profession in the
United States. Higher education faculty are employees
of their institution and employment policies are set
by the institution. Professional standards are set by
the disciplinary or professional association in the
faculty member’s field. Faculty employed to teach in
programs leading to qualifications for licensed
professions may be required to hold professional
licenses. Federal and state law uphold the right to
freedom of research and teaching under Constitutional
guarantees of free speech and association, and this
is further underpinned by academic contracts and
labor agreements.
School
Teaching. School-level teaching is
a regulated profession in every U.S. state and
territory. Teachers may be certified in one or more
subjects, by grade level, and hold administrative
certificates if they are involved in supervising or
managing schools.
Recognition of teacher credentials from another state
is often limited, and recognition of non-U.S.
teaching qualifications is also rare. There is no
nationally recognized credential evaluation service
or recognition process for teachers or school
administrators. Check with individual state boards
for guidance.
National Association of State
Directors of Teacher Education and Certification
(NASDTEC) provides information
on teacher certification authorities in its State
and Province Contacts directory.
Certification Requirements for 50
States is a database provided
by the University of Kentucky that links directly
to state teacher certification websites. Some of
these have information for teachers from outside
the United States or who have non-U.S.
qualifications.
VETERINARY
MEDICINE
National Board of Veterinary
Medical Examiners (NBVME) provides extensive
information about the North American Veterinary
Licensing Examination (NAVLE). The section on
“Information for Graduates of Non-Accredited
Schools” provides information on licensing
procedures for persons with non-U.S.
qualifications.
American Association of Veterinary
State Boards (AAVSB) provides information
on the licensure of veterinarians, veterinary
technicians, and international veterinarians as
well as links to state boards.
Educational Commission for Foreign
Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG)
is a
credential evaluation service provided by the
American Veterinary Medical Association and
recognized by all state veterinary licensing
boards for assessing non-U.S. veterinary
education.
Program for the Assessment of
Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE)
is a
credential evaluation service provided by the
American Association of Veterinary State Boards
and recognized by licensing boards in 24 states.
See also:
Information for Persons Seeking to
Study in the United States
Information for Persons Seeking to
Work in the United States
Visiting the United
States