Some professions (e.g. teachers, speech pathologists, lawyers, psychologists, etc.) require state licensure or certification beyond your degree to hold a position in that field. Professional licensure requirements vary from field to field and from state to state. Each U.S. state and territory has an authority, be it public or private, that is responsible for overseeing the licensure requirements of the various professions in that state.
Students may only enter programs that meet the licensure/certification requirements of the state in which they are currently physically located or the state in which they intend to seek employment after graduating, as stipulated by U.S. federal regulations 34 CFR § 668.14(b)(32)(i) and (ii), effective July 1, 2024.
As a result, all students entering University of Montana (“UM”) programs that lead to professional licensure or state certification must attest to the state where they are physically located while attending classes and their intended future state of licensure/certification and employment. This attestation serves as a crucial tool to ensure that students engage in the decision-making process with full awareness and consent.
The attestation requires students entering programs that lead to licensure/certification to:
- Disclose, to the best of their knowledge and ability at this time, their intentions and plans for professional licensure/certification upon graduation from UM or Missoula College and outline educational goals and future plans for employment.
- Attest to seek licensure/certification and employment in a state where UM’s program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification.