Professional Licensure Programs
Regis University is committed to providing clear and transparent information to prospective and current students regarding its programs and professional licensure.
What is a professional licensure program? A professional licensure program is an academic program designed, marketed, and/or advertised to meet the educational requirements for a specific license or certification and is required for employment in an occupation.
Professional licensing standards, and the fields and occupations regulated by state licensing agencies, vary widely from state to state. Prior to beginning any course of study, anyone seeking an academic program to prepare for employment in a licensed profession should always contact the appropriate licensing agency in the state in which they wish to work to determine requirements and ensure program compatibility. Students should also review the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolling, including those related to fieldwork, supervised clinical experiences, and national examinations.
The decision to grant a license or certification is the purview of the state. Only state licensing agencies or boards can determine whether an academic program meets or partially meets educational requirements for licensure. Regis University cannot guarantee an individual’s attainment of any professional licensure or certification, in any field, in any jurisdiction.
Completing an academic program is typically only one aspect of meeting professional licensure requirements. Many states require that individuals meet additional requirements in order to qualify for licensure, including but not limited to additional coursework and training, supervised clinical experiences, and successful passage of state or national exams. Other licensure requirements may include background checks, years of work experience, fingerprinting requirements, etc. State laws, regulations, and policies governing professional licensure may change at any time.
For some professional fields, states have established structures to allow for “licensure portability”. This refers to the ability of an individual to acquire a license in one state and transfer that license to another state or U.S. jurisdiction. This is also sometimes referred to as “licensure reciprocity”. Some Regis University students may obtain licensure in Colorado and then need to seek licensure in another state. Students are reminded that it is their responsibility to check with the state licensing agency to determine all rules and regulations regarding licensure transfers or reciprocity.
Students should also remember that moving to another state during the course of their program could impact their ability to meet licensing requirements. Again, Regis University cannot guarantee attainment of licensure in any jurisdiction.
Distance Learning
Whether a student is enrolled in a distance learning program while residing in another state or country or is enrolled in a face-to-face campus program that involves participation in an educational activity outside of Colorado, certain regulations will apply. Each state and territory has different requirements for distance learning and or educational activities that may lead to licensure or certification.
Prospective and current students should keep in mind that licensing and authorization requirements vary by state and that relocating during the course of a program to another state could impact whether that student can continue in the course, meet the eligibility requirements of that state, and/or receive financial aid funding. If you aspire to work in a licensed profession, it is important to understand the different requirements set forth by each state. Each state or territory has different professional licensure and certification requirements. Students who are considering an academic program that may allow them to pursue professional licensure in their state or territory should check their state’s or territory's information and contact the appropriate licensing agency prior to initiating a program application.
Therefore, if licensure requirements are met in the state where you are located or attest to seek employment, you are eligible for admission.
In accordance with 34 CFR 668.43(a)(5)(v) – General notifications for programs leading to professional licensure or certification, Regis University is providing the information below to inform students if our academic programs will or will not fulfill the educational requirements for a specific professional licensure that is required for employment in the field. This information is reviewed and updated annually. While Regis University strives to ensure that the information contained herein is current and accurate, if you are planning to pursue professional licensure or certification in a state other than Colorado, it is strongly recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing entity in that state to seek information and guidance regarding licensure or certification requirements before beginning the academic program.
Licensure Disclosures by Program
The links and information provided below are current as of the last annual review. Prospective students please contact your admissions counselor at 303-458-4900/1-800-944-7667 or ruadmissions@regis.edu for specific questions regarding licensure in any state or territory you may be interested. For current students considering a change in location, contact your academic advisor or program coordinator. We are here to help you navigate the intricacies of licensure.
M.A. Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
The Department of Counseling at Regis University has determined that completion of the degree of Master of Arts in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling meets the educational requirements for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (LPCC) in the state of Colorado. The Master of Arts in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree is accredited through the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP, https://www.cacrep.org/). The LPCC provides a temporary permit while candidates complete licensure requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). LPC requirements include passing the National Counselor Exam (NCE) through the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC, https://www.nbcc.org/) and acquiring 2,000 hours of supervised clinical experience by a qualified licensed clinical supervisor in the State of Colorado over a minimum of 24 months. Regis University does not guarantee professional licensure. In Colorado, licensure requires proof of U.S. citizenship and lawful presence in the United States with no disqualifying criminal offenses. The laws and rules for professional licensure are outlined by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA, https://dpo.colorado.gov/ProfessionalCounselor).
Completion of the Master of Arts in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree does not guarantee licensure in other states or locations. Each state or territory has different professional licensure and certification requirements. We encourage students to research the requirements specific for any state in which a student intends to seek employment. Additional information may also be found at the American Counseling Association (ACA, https://www.counseling.org/resources/licensure-requirements).
M.A. Marriage and Family Therapy
The Department of Couple and Family Therapy at Regis University has determined that completion of the degree of Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy meets the educational requirements for licensure as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Candidate (MFTC) in the state of Colorado. The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy degree is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE, https://www.coamfte.org/). The MFTC provides a temporary permit while candidates complete licensure requirements for the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). LMFT requirements in the state of Colorado include passing the Association of Marital and Family Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB, https://amftrb.org/) exam and acquiring 2,000 hours of clinical experience with 100 hours of supervision over a minimum of 24 months. In Colorado, licensure requires proof of U.S. citizenship and lawful presence in the United States with no disqualifying criminal offenses. Regis University does not guarantee professional licensure. The laws and rules for professional licensure are outlined by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA, https://dpo.colorado.gov/MarriageFamilyTherapy).
Completion of the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy degree does not guarantee licensure in other states or locations. Each state or territory has different professional licensure and certification requirements. We encourage students to research the requirements specific for any state in which a student intends to seek employment. Additional information may also be found at the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT, https://www.aamft.org/).
Post-Graduate Certificate in Counseling Children and Adolescents (not a licensure program)
The Regis University Center for Counseling, Family and Play Therapy is a designated Approved Center of Play Therapy Education by the Association for Play Therapy (APT, https://www.a4pt.org/). Students completing the post-graduate Certificate in Counseling Children and Adolescents (CCA) meet the educational requirements for the Registered Play Therapist (RPT) national certification through the APT.
Post-Graduate Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy (not a licensure program)
The Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Certificate does not meet the educational requirements for licensure as an MFT in the state of Colorado or any other state. If students are interested in seeking licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist in Colorado, the Regis University master’s program in Marriage and Family Therapy meets the educational requirements for licensure.
All education programs offered at Regis University that are meant to lead to either initial licensure or principal licensure are designed to meet the educational requirements in the State of Colorado ONLY. For initial licensure, after completing your field hours in a Colorado school, you can apply for licensure in Colorado through the Colorado Department of Education with our recommendation. A total of 800 hours of fieldwork and student teaching are required for licensure, as well as successful completion of the PRAXIS licensing exam. Each state or territory has different professional licensure and certification requirements. We encourage students to research the requirements specific for any state in which a student intends to seek employment. Additional information may also be found at Colorado Department of Education (CDE): https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprof.
Nursing: B.S.N.
Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner M.S. and Certificate
Nursing: Remote FNP (Rural and Underserved Communities) M.S.
Nursing: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner M.S. and Certificate
Nursing: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate and M.S.
Program Curriculum Meets State Educational Requirements
Admission to Regis University does not guarantee professional licensure; however, our programs meet the educational requirements for licensure in all states. The laws and rules for professional licensure are outlined by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) or the state licensure board where you intend to apply for professional licensure. Successful academic program completion includes but is not limited to successful completion of all academic and experiential (clinical/practicum/internship) requirements and some programs require provisional licensure to complete experiential requirements. For example, in Colorado, among other requirements, licensure requires proof of U.S. citizenship and lawful presence in the United States and no disqualifying offenses.
Due to regulatory requirements in Kentucky, Louisiana, New York, and North Dakota, Regis University’s Loretto Heights School of Nursing is unable to accept or enroll students who intend to reside and/or do clinical in any of these states while pursuing RN-BSN, MS Nursing, Post-Graduate Certificate, or DNP education through any of our distance learning formats. Regis University’s Loretto Heights School of Nursing is also unable to accept or enroll students who intend to reside and/or do clinical in the state of Oregon for the APRN program.
The baccalaureate and DNP programs at Regis University School of Nursing are accredited by the by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Wahington, DC 20001, (202) 877-6791
Creighton University offers a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree through a partnership with Regis University. The Creighton Doctor of Occupational Therapy-Regis Pathway Collaboration is the first partnership of its kind among Jesuit universities.
Get all the details about this Doctor of Occupational Therapy program, including course requirements, application materials, program cycles, and state licensure information by visiting the Creighton University website.
Graduates must successfully pass two examinations prior to entering pharmacy practice.
The NAPLEX®, or North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination®, measures a candidate’s knowledge of the practice of pharmacy. It is just one component of the licensure process and is used by the boards of pharmacy as part of their assessment of a candidate’s competence to practice as a pharmacist.
The MPJE®, or Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination®, combines federal- and state-specific questions to test the pharmacy jurisprudence knowledge of prospective pharmacists. It serves as the pharmacy law examination in participating jurisdictions and tests a candidate’s mastery of pharmacy law.
Each state board of pharmacy has a set of requirements for a pharmacist seeking licensure. Once you take the NAPLEX, if you achieve a passing score and meet all the licensure requirements of the primary state or jurisdiction where you are seeking licensure, then you will be licensed in that state. Meeting licensure requirements in the additional states for which you may request a score transfer is up to you — if you then decide to pursue licensure, the board of pharmacy will have your score on record.
- For more information on non-educational requirements, please view the state board link. (Colorado https://dpo.colorado.gov/Pharmacy; All other states and provinces can be found on the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy site (https://nabp.pharmacy/about/boards-of-pharmacy/).
Accreditation
The Regis University School of Pharmacy, Doctor of Pharmacy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE):
Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
20 North Clark Street, Suite 2500
Chicago, IL 60602-5109
Telephone: (312) 664-3575
Fax: (312) 664-4652
Website: www.acpe-accredit.org
The Doctor of Physical Therapist (DPT) Education program at Regis University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). CAPTE accreditation of a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant program satisfies state educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Thus, students graduating from CAPTE-accredited physical therapist and physical therapist assistant education programs 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 at www.fsbpt.org.