Licensure Information

State Authorization & Professional Licensure Programs

States require that institutions of higher education obtain authorization before offering activities within their borders. The University of Tennessee at Martin (UTM) operates in the state of Tennessee and participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) .

Participation in SARA & professional licensure limitations

Participation in SARA does not provide exemption from state professional licensing requirements. Certain professions require that individuals obtain licensure or certification beyond their degree to be eligible for employment. Programs at UTM that lead to professional licensure meet Tennessee’s licensing requirements; however, these may not be recognized as sufficient to obtain a license in another state.

Required disclosures

In accordance with U.S. Federal Regulations 34 CFR § 668.43 (2019 Rules), 34 CFR § 668.14(b)(32) (2023 Rules), and as a SARA participating institution, UTM provides public and direct disclosures to students regarding its professional licensure programs and the states in which those programs do and do not meet the educational requirements for licensure.

UTM strives to provide accurate and current information about educational requirements for professional licensure or certification. However, states differ in which professions require licensure and how licensure functions. State requirements can change at the discretion of state licensing boards and may include professional examinations, application fees, criminal background checks, and more, in addition to educational prerequisites.

NC-SARA professional licensure directory

NC-SARA publishes and regularly updates a professional licensure directory that provides contact information for state licensing agencies in Counseling, Nursing, Psychology, Social Work, and Teacher Education. Visit the NC-SARA directory.

Regulations for Online Programs Leading to Licensure

Effective July 1, 2024, federal regulations prohibit institutions from enrolling a student in an online/distance education program leading to licensure or certification if the program’s curriculum does not satisfy the educational requirements for obtaining licensure in the state where the student is located at the time of enrollment.

While all online programs at UTM leading to professional licensure meet Tennessee’s licensing requirements, the same may not be true for other states. Your eligibility to sit for a licensing exam after completing a program may impact your ability to find employment. It’s important to be aware of this when considering your educational options.

About these disclosures

The disclosures below are organized by department and/or program and do not guarantee that any state licensure or certification entity will approve or deny an application. Furthermore, they do not account for changes in state laws or regulations that may affect a licensure application after the disclosures have been made. If you are a student located outside of Tennessee, it is strongly recommended that you contact your state’s licensing office or professional agency for the most up-to-date information and to review specific requirements imposed by the state.

For On-Campus Programs

If you are a prospective or current student in an on-campus program, information about individual states is for awareness purposes and does not prohibit you from enrolling. On-campus programs leading to licensure are delivered to students who are physically located in Tennessee. All on-campus licensure programs meet the educational requirements for licensure in the state of Tennessee. For questions about licensure, please reach out to the academic department. Contact information can be found in the documents linked below.

Determining Student Location

For purposes of federal regulations and state authorization requirements, including CFR 600.9, CFR 668.14, and CFR 668.43, all student applicants to on-campus (non-distance education/KPV) programs at the University of Tennessee, Martin, including out-of-state applicants, will be considered located in the state of Tennessee at the time of initial enrollment.

The location at the time of initial enrollment for student applicants to distance education/fully online programs will be determined by the current/permanent address entered on their application to the university.

All other university policies that determine Tennessee residency for purposes of tuition assessment will not be superseded by this procedure.

Reporting a Change in Location

Distance education students who need to report a change in location after enrollment should update their address in MyUTM Portal.

Licensure Information by Program

Undergraduate Programs

Graduate Programs

For additional assistance pertaining to licensure, contact Erica Bell.

Interstate Licensure Reciprocity

Since professional licensure is generally regulated at the state level, it is usually necessary to obtain a separate license for each State in which one wishes to practice. In some instances, reciprocity agreements are in place to make it easier for someone who already holds a license in one state to obtain a license in another State. However, the degree to which such reciprocity exists can vary widely depending on the profession and the states involved. State licensing boards can provide detailed information on the existence of any reciprocity agreements they have with other States.

To learn more, please review the licensure information provided for the program of interest.

Disclaimer

The hyperlinks above lead to websites created and maintained by other public and private organizations. These links are provided for the user’s convenience. The University of Tennessee at Martin does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information. Furthermore, the inclusion of these hyperlinks is not intended to reflect their importance or to endorse the organizations sponsoring the websites. The inclusion of these hyperlinks is also not intended to endorse the views expressed, or the products or services offered, on the websites. Please note that privacy policies on these websites may differ from the University of Tennessee at Martin’s.