US Professional Organizations
US Licensure Organizations
The importance of a professional license in the USMany jobs in the US require employees to hold a bachelor’s degree. Some require even more coursework at US graduate schools.
But neither graduation nor a specific college degree automatically qualifies you to work in certain professions in the US. For some jobs, you need US licensure.
Getting a License in the USIn the US, licensure is intended to ensure the public that a person is competent to practice in that profession.
Generally, professionals become licensed through training or by passing an exam. In many fields, the person seeking US licensure must obtain an advanced degree before becoming eligible for the license.
People holding foreign degrees will need to pass all the requirements for getting a license in the US. For example, US licensure may require the translation of academic records and other documents if they are not already in English.
Professions That Need US LicensureThe following professions require US licensure before you are legally allowed to practice it in the US:
Each licensed profession has an organization that monitors and represents the interests of the profession. While it is not mandatory for licensed professionals to join the national organizations, most will need to join the state organizations where they wish to practice.
..It is important for foreign professionals to contact US licensure organizations to determine what they will need to do to become licensed in the US. Licensure can make all the difference when you are looking for a job in the US.
Medicine
A US medical license is a government-issued certificate that permits someone to practice medicine in the United States. The license is proof that an individual has completed the study and training necessary for a career in medicine.
It is required for both domestic and international students.
Medical License State By StateIn the US, each state maintains its own medical board that determines how licenses are issued and to whom. This means that professional licensure requirements vary from one state to the next, and you should contact the medical board of the state you wish to practice in for more details.
In general, however, state boards only issue a medical license if you meet the following criteria:
This is a private, nonprofit organization that gauges an international graduate’s competence to enter a US medical residency program. It is the required first step toward obtaining a medical license.
Applicants can apply for certification online. To be eligible, you must have graduated from or currently be attending (for at least two years) a medical education program that is listed in the International Medical Education Directory. You also must submit your education credentials and/or English translations of your transcripts at the time of application.
After Applying: The USMLE
Once you have applied for certification, you must take the USMLE. This exam is required for anyone wishing to practice medicine in the US. It is a comprehensive test divided into three parts. Individuals must pass all three parts before they will be granted a medical license.
Part 1 is the medical sciences section. It measures a graduate’s understanding of medical concepts in both the general and procedural sense. Topics covered include anatomy, behavioral science, biochemistry, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology, and physiology.
Part 2 is further divided into two subsections: one tests clinical knowledge and the other tests clinical skills. The clinical skills test is only administered in Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, and Los Angeles.
Finally, part 3 assesses whether a graduate can apply biomedical knowledge to the unsupervised treatment of patients.
Residency and Medical License
After certification and successful completion of the USMLE, individuals then enter a residency program in an approved US medical facility. Residency periods vary from state to state, but are usually 2-3 years for international graduates. Only one state, Wisconsin, has a residency requirement of less than 2 years.
International graduates can apply for a medical license once they have satisfied their residency obligation.
Law
If you want to practice law in the US, you must have a legal license.
Each state maintains its own licensing board — commonly called “the bar” — that establishes professional licensure requirements specific to that state. Prior to receiving a legal license, all applicants must pass a bar exam.
The Bar Exam
The Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) is an extensive, 200-question test covering contracts, torts, constitutional law, evidence and real property. Its purpose is to measure an applicant’s legal knowledge and competence to practice law professionally in the US. The exam is administered on the last Wednesday in July and February.
In addition to the MBE, many states also require the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE). This evaluates an applicant’s understanding of the ethics and professional conduct pertaining to legal practice in the US.
International Education RequirementsInternational graduates who want a US legal license must meet special qualifications.
While each state board has its own specifications, nearly all require applicants to submit proof of having earned a law degree from a program approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).
The ABA is the largest organization of lawyers and law students in the US and is responsible for regulating legal education and licensing standards.
Applicants who did not graduate from an ABA-approved program are still permitted to take the bar exam in some states. In such cases, applicants must have practiced law in their home country for a specific period of time or have completed courses at an American law school. International applicants educated in the commonwealth legal system of Britain claim a particular advantage.
To register for the Bar exam, students must submit English translations of academic records and transcripts to the board of the state in which they wish to practice law.
Foreign Legal Consultant: Law Without LicenseAnother option for graduates of international legal programs is becoming a Foreign Legal Consultant (FLC).
This position does not require a US legal license, although most states do issue Certificates of Registration. To qualify as a FLA, you must be licensed to practice law in a country other than the US and have experience practicing law in that country.
A FLC can only offer legal advice regarding the laws of his or her home country. This is a limited legal service, but nonetheless valuable.
Obtaining a US legal license is a long and rigorous process, but one that ultimately entitles you to provide critical services to your community.AccountingBefore you can legally work as an accountant in the US, you first need an accountancy license.
Each state maintains its own accountancy board that establishes standards and professional licensure eligibility requirements for that state. You should contact the board of the state you wish to work in for further details.
There are various kinds of accountants in the US. Each requires its own certification program. For this reason, we have tailored this overview to those interested in becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), the most common designation in the US.
International Graduates And Exam RequirementsInternational graduates seeking a US accountancy license first must pass one of two exams: the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination or the International Qualification Examination (IQEX). Those eligible for the IQEX include:
The CPA ExamThose who do not qualify for the IQEX must take the Uniform CPA Exam.
This is a necessary pre-requisite for a US accountancy license. To apply, you must contact the board of the state you wish to work in.
You will be asked to submit translations of academic records and transcripts. Some states also request a report from the National Association of Credential Evaluators validating your academic records.
The exam is computer-based and is divided into four sections:
If you have not successfully completed all four sections within 18 months, you must re-take the exam before you receive your accountancy license.
Engineering
If you want to work as an engineer in the US, you first need an engineering license.
Each state in the US has its own licensing board that establishes standards for that state. Remember to contact the board of the state you wish to work in to confirm your qualifications for professional licensure.
Education RequirementsBefore receiving an engineering license, you must meet certain requirements. You should have graduated from an ABET-approved engineering program. ABET is the national accreditation agency for applied science, computing, engineering and technology programs.
If you did not graduate from an ABET-approved program, you will probably be asked to submit translations of academic records and transcripts to the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). This organization includes the various state licensing boards and is responsible for administering licensing exams.
The NCEES will determine if you are eligible to sit for the two exams required of prospective engineers.
Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (FE)The first exam is the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE). Most US students take this test during the final year of their university education. It is a comprehensive two-part exam assessing your knowledge of engineering.
The “morning session” contains 120 questions related to general aspects of engineering, such as mathematics, dynamics, ethics, chemistry and several others. The “afternoon session” contains 60 questions of either a general or discipline-specific nature. You must choose which category to test in.
The FE currently recognizes seven engineering specializations:
Experience RequirementsIn addition to appropriate education and a successful FE score, another prerequisite for an engineering license is experience. After passing the FE, most states designate you an Engineering Intern (EI) or Engineer in Training (EIT). This title denotes a period of apprentice work under a professional, licensed engineer.
Since each state determines its own licensing standards, EI and EIT limits vary. Most states request at least four years of mentoring.
Principles and Practice Of Engineering Examination (PE)The final step toward an engineering license is completion of the PE. This exam follows your EI or EIT experience and is designed to gauge how well you can apply the skills you’ve learned.
The PE is a two-part, eight hour exam.
The first part is typically a general overview (sometimes discipline-specific tests are used). The second part usually focuses on specializations (for example, civil engineering). Because each specialization has a unique exam, the tests are not uniform, although each of them contains either 80 or 100 questions.
The importance of a professional license in the USMany jobs in the US require employees to hold a bachelor’s degree. Some require even more coursework at US graduate schools.
But neither graduation nor a specific college degree automatically qualifies you to work in certain professions in the US. For some jobs, you need US licensure.
Getting a License in the USIn the US, licensure is intended to ensure the public that a person is competent to practice in that profession.
Generally, professionals become licensed through training or by passing an exam. In many fields, the person seeking US licensure must obtain an advanced degree before becoming eligible for the license.
People holding foreign degrees will need to pass all the requirements for getting a license in the US. For example, US licensure may require the translation of academic records and other documents if they are not already in English.
Professions That Need US LicensureThe following professions require US licensure before you are legally allowed to practice it in the US:
- medicine
- nursing
- law
- dentistry
- teaching
- accounting
- veterinary medicine
- pharmacy
- psychology
- engineering
- architecture
Each licensed profession has an organization that monitors and represents the interests of the profession. While it is not mandatory for licensed professionals to join the national organizations, most will need to join the state organizations where they wish to practice.
..It is important for foreign professionals to contact US licensure organizations to determine what they will need to do to become licensed in the US. Licensure can make all the difference when you are looking for a job in the US.
Medicine
A US medical license is a government-issued certificate that permits someone to practice medicine in the United States. The license is proof that an individual has completed the study and training necessary for a career in medicine.
It is required for both domestic and international students.
Medical License State By StateIn the US, each state maintains its own medical board that determines how licenses are issued and to whom. This means that professional licensure requirements vary from one state to the next, and you should contact the medical board of the state you wish to practice in for more details.
In general, however, state boards only issue a medical license if you meet the following criteria:
- Graduated from an accredited or otherwise approved medical education program
- Completed a medical residency or fellowship program
- Passed all three sections of the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE)
- Received certification from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) — for international graduates only
This is a private, nonprofit organization that gauges an international graduate’s competence to enter a US medical residency program. It is the required first step toward obtaining a medical license.
Applicants can apply for certification online. To be eligible, you must have graduated from or currently be attending (for at least two years) a medical education program that is listed in the International Medical Education Directory. You also must submit your education credentials and/or English translations of your transcripts at the time of application.
After Applying: The USMLE
Once you have applied for certification, you must take the USMLE. This exam is required for anyone wishing to practice medicine in the US. It is a comprehensive test divided into three parts. Individuals must pass all three parts before they will be granted a medical license.
Part 1 is the medical sciences section. It measures a graduate’s understanding of medical concepts in both the general and procedural sense. Topics covered include anatomy, behavioral science, biochemistry, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology, and physiology.
Part 2 is further divided into two subsections: one tests clinical knowledge and the other tests clinical skills. The clinical skills test is only administered in Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, and Los Angeles.
Finally, part 3 assesses whether a graduate can apply biomedical knowledge to the unsupervised treatment of patients.
Residency and Medical License
After certification and successful completion of the USMLE, individuals then enter a residency program in an approved US medical facility. Residency periods vary from state to state, but are usually 2-3 years for international graduates. Only one state, Wisconsin, has a residency requirement of less than 2 years.
International graduates can apply for a medical license once they have satisfied their residency obligation.
Law
If you want to practice law in the US, you must have a legal license.
Each state maintains its own licensing board — commonly called “the bar” — that establishes professional licensure requirements specific to that state. Prior to receiving a legal license, all applicants must pass a bar exam.
The Bar Exam
The Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) is an extensive, 200-question test covering contracts, torts, constitutional law, evidence and real property. Its purpose is to measure an applicant’s legal knowledge and competence to practice law professionally in the US. The exam is administered on the last Wednesday in July and February.
In addition to the MBE, many states also require the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE). This evaluates an applicant’s understanding of the ethics and professional conduct pertaining to legal practice in the US.
International Education RequirementsInternational graduates who want a US legal license must meet special qualifications.
While each state board has its own specifications, nearly all require applicants to submit proof of having earned a law degree from a program approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).
The ABA is the largest organization of lawyers and law students in the US and is responsible for regulating legal education and licensing standards.
Applicants who did not graduate from an ABA-approved program are still permitted to take the bar exam in some states. In such cases, applicants must have practiced law in their home country for a specific period of time or have completed courses at an American law school. International applicants educated in the commonwealth legal system of Britain claim a particular advantage.
To register for the Bar exam, students must submit English translations of academic records and transcripts to the board of the state in which they wish to practice law.
Foreign Legal Consultant: Law Without LicenseAnother option for graduates of international legal programs is becoming a Foreign Legal Consultant (FLC).
This position does not require a US legal license, although most states do issue Certificates of Registration. To qualify as a FLA, you must be licensed to practice law in a country other than the US and have experience practicing law in that country.
A FLC can only offer legal advice regarding the laws of his or her home country. This is a limited legal service, but nonetheless valuable.
Obtaining a US legal license is a long and rigorous process, but one that ultimately entitles you to provide critical services to your community.AccountingBefore you can legally work as an accountant in the US, you first need an accountancy license.
Each state maintains its own accountancy board that establishes standards and professional licensure eligibility requirements for that state. You should contact the board of the state you wish to work in for further details.
There are various kinds of accountants in the US. Each requires its own certification program. For this reason, we have tailored this overview to those interested in becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), the most common designation in the US.
International Graduates And Exam RequirementsInternational graduates seeking a US accountancy license first must pass one of two exams: the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination or the International Qualification Examination (IQEX). Those eligible for the IQEX include:
- Australian Certified Practicing Accountants and Chartered Accountants
- Members of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants
- Irish Chartered Accountants
- Mexican Public Accountants who are also members of the Mexican Institute of Public Accountants
The CPA ExamThose who do not qualify for the IQEX must take the Uniform CPA Exam.
This is a necessary pre-requisite for a US accountancy license. To apply, you must contact the board of the state you wish to work in.
You will be asked to submit translations of academic records and transcripts. Some states also request a report from the National Association of Credential Evaluators validating your academic records.
The exam is computer-based and is divided into four sections:
- Business Law
- Auditing
- Accounting & Reporting
- Financial Accounting & Reporting
If you have not successfully completed all four sections within 18 months, you must re-take the exam before you receive your accountancy license.
Engineering
If you want to work as an engineer in the US, you first need an engineering license.
Each state in the US has its own licensing board that establishes standards for that state. Remember to contact the board of the state you wish to work in to confirm your qualifications for professional licensure.
Education RequirementsBefore receiving an engineering license, you must meet certain requirements. You should have graduated from an ABET-approved engineering program. ABET is the national accreditation agency for applied science, computing, engineering and technology programs.
If you did not graduate from an ABET-approved program, you will probably be asked to submit translations of academic records and transcripts to the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). This organization includes the various state licensing boards and is responsible for administering licensing exams.
The NCEES will determine if you are eligible to sit for the two exams required of prospective engineers.
Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (FE)The first exam is the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE). Most US students take this test during the final year of their university education. It is a comprehensive two-part exam assessing your knowledge of engineering.
The “morning session” contains 120 questions related to general aspects of engineering, such as mathematics, dynamics, ethics, chemistry and several others. The “afternoon session” contains 60 questions of either a general or discipline-specific nature. You must choose which category to test in.
The FE currently recognizes seven engineering specializations:
- Chemical
- Civil
- Electrical
- Environmental
- Industrial
- Mechanical
- General (this test is a more detailed version of the morning session’s exam)
Experience RequirementsIn addition to appropriate education and a successful FE score, another prerequisite for an engineering license is experience. After passing the FE, most states designate you an Engineering Intern (EI) or Engineer in Training (EIT). This title denotes a period of apprentice work under a professional, licensed engineer.
Since each state determines its own licensing standards, EI and EIT limits vary. Most states request at least four years of mentoring.
Principles and Practice Of Engineering Examination (PE)The final step toward an engineering license is completion of the PE. This exam follows your EI or EIT experience and is designed to gauge how well you can apply the skills you’ve learned.
The PE is a two-part, eight hour exam.
The first part is typically a general overview (sometimes discipline-specific tests are used). The second part usually focuses on specializations (for example, civil engineering). Because each specialization has a unique exam, the tests are not uniform, although each of them contains either 80 or 100 questions.
