Licensure and Certification
The role of a health care professional is dynamic; it requires special knowledge, skill and preparation. For this reason career-focused professional programs have stringent academic requirements as well as accreditation, licensure and certification requirements. Health care professionals must be appropriately prepared and readied to be successful in their respective discipline licensure/certification efforts. Educational institutions are charged with offering programs of study that prepares graduates with the knowledge and skills to obtain licensure and certification in their respective area of health care.
This page will provide healthcare professionals with general information about licensure and certification, as most health professionals are regulated by the state and require either certification or licensure in order to practice. The links to the board include information on:
- obtaining certification/licensure
- dues/fees
- application procedures, including electronic application forms
- rules/laws
- continuing education requirements
- licensure renewal information
- exam dates
Licensure is the process by which a government agency grants permission to an individual to engage in a given profession upon finding that the applicant has attained the essential degree of competency necessary to perform a unique scope of practice. Licensing requirements define what is necessary to practice the profession safely. To validate that the applicant has met those requirements, a regulatory method is used for activities are that complex, require specialized knowledge and skill and independent decision-making. Licensure provides that a specified scope of practice may only be performed legally by licensed individuals and offers title protection for those roles. It also provides authority to take disciplinary action should the licensee violate provision of the law or rules in order to assure that the public health, safety and welfare will be reasonably well protected.
Certification is another type of credential that affords title protection and recognition of accomplishment, but that does not include a legal scope of practice. The federal government defines the credentialing process by which a non-governmental agency or association recognizes individuals who have met specified requirements. Many state Boards of Nursing use such professional certification as requirements toward granting authority for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses. Some state government entities have also used the term certification for governmental credentialing. Potential for confusion exists because regulatory agencies and professional associations in different contexts may use the term certification differently.
Links to federal sources:
- American Dental Association
The state holds the final authority on licensing requirements. This website contains helpful information for dentists and general information of interest to a dentist. - American Dental Hygienists' Association
Licensure for Registered Dental Hygienist is also granted on a state-to-state in accordance with requirements of individual state dental practice acts. Links to State, regional and national examinations are provided on this website.
Links to licensure information for nursing:
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
An online resource to help students and their families select a college, apply for admission, and plan to finance higher education. Its mission is to increase access to postsecondary education in the state of Georgia and to simplify the tasks and processes related to planning, applying and paying for higher education. - Georgia Board of Nursing
The board develops rules and regulations that set the standards for nursing practice and education, provide the minimum qualifications for licensure, and ensure that disciplinary process is implemented in a fashion that guarantees due process and public protection. This site provides information for Nurses to obtain licensure within the State of Georgia. - National Council of State Boards of Nursing
A not-for-profit organization through which boards of nursing act and counsel together on matters of common interest and concern affecting the public health, safety and welfare. It provides leadership to advance regulatory excellence for public protection, conducts research, performs policy analysis and promotes uniformity in relationship to the regulation of nursing practice. It disseminate data related to the licensure of nurses and develops licensing examinations for nursing including the NCLEX-RN®, NCLEX-PN® and the NNAAP™ examinations. - National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission
The Commission is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the national accrediting body for all types of nursing education programs.