About
State Authorization and Professional Licensure Programs
In accordance with federal regulations and the university’s participation in SARA, the information on this page is related to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s programs that lead to professional licensure or certification.
State Authorization & Professional Licensure Programs
States require that institutions of higher education obtain authorization before offering activities within their borders. The University of TN, Knoxville (UTK) operates in the state of Tennessee, and under the terms and conditions of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements, commonly known as SARA.
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 UTK 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.
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, UTK 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.
UTK 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 publishes and regularly updates a professional licensure directory which provides contact information for state licensing agencies in Counseling, Nursing, Psychology, Social Work and Teacher Education.
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 UTK 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 thinking about your educational options.
The disclosures below are organized by college 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.
The College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (CEHHS) is responsible for the coordination of teacher licensure programs for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. All of the professional licensure programs are approved by the Tennessee State Department of Education and are nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Graduates are qualified to apply for licensure in Tennessee. Graduates are also qualified for licensure in many, but not necessarily all, other states and territories. Teaching licensure reciprocity is complicated and states often have additional requirements that must be fulfilled at the time of licensure or within the license renewal cycle when moving to a new state.
For additional information about the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification’s licensure reciprocity/interstate agreement, visit https://www.nasdtec.net/page/Interstate and review the Information for Out of State Applicants.
At this time, it has not been determined if the educational requirements for the programs listed on the attached document will meet requirements in any state other than Tennessee.
Additional Programs in CEHHS:
