Professional Licensure Disclosures
Neither acceptance for admission into a program nor the subsequent earning of a degree guarantees that a state or a foreign country will grant a graduate a license to practice. Each state and foreign country defines the standards of competency and scope of practice within its jurisdiction through its legislative and administrative process. States, districts, and territories vary in what professions they require to be licensed/certified and how licensure/certification is acquired. Many licensure boards require more than successful degree completion to obtain a license, such as completion of an examination(s), test(s), background check(s), internship/practicum hours, and other requirements determined by the respective state board. It is the responsibility of the student completing the licensure program to check with the respective state licensing board(s) for the most recent information, rules, and requirements. Pacific College of Health and Science (PCHS) is not responsible and cannot be held liable if the student is unable to qualify for licensure or certification in any jurisdiction. Students interested in programs leading to licensure or certification should review the licensure requirements in the Licensure Disclosure charts for the state in which they choose to practice.
Licensing and certifying agencies or employers may perform background checks to determine eligibility to become licensed or employed. Applicants who have a conviction should check the regulations of the states in which they want to become licensed to consider their eligibility. Therefore, no institution can guarantee admission to, eligibility for, or passage of any licensing exam required by any state or national licensing or testing board. The date of graduation may affect a student’s eligibility date to sit for required exams. Students must obtain and submit their applications to sit for any state or national exam and request in writing that the Pacific College of Health and Science send academic documentation to the relevant agencies.
Please note that licensure requirements are always subject to change. Although PCHS will confirm the educational/licensure requirements on a routine basis, we strongly recommend, before enrolling, that you inquire with the licensing agency to confirm that you understand and will meet the requirements for licensure in the state where you intend to practice, if different than the campus location state. Additionally, while progressing through the program, we recommend that you check licensing agency requirements regularly to monitor whether they have changed in a manner that impacts your licensure plans.
Relocation:Â
Course and program availability varies by state. Admission into a program is granted at the time of initial acceptance into the program and is dependent on program availability in the state where the student is physically located at the time of admission.
Should a student relocate during a program to another state, district, or territory, it may negatively impact the student’s ability to remain in the program, meet the state licensure requirements, and/or continue to receive financial aid funding. Before considering any state relocation, you must contact your program officials to discuss authorization and licensure eligibility requirements. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the institution of a change in physical location.
International Students:Â
All international students are strongly encouraged to check the credentialing requirements in the country where they intend to practice. PCHS enrolls nonimmigrant alien students in online programs not leading to professional licensure or certification on a case-by-case basis. Please note that international students, including U.S. citizens living abroad, cannot enroll in prelicensure nursing as it prepares students for licensure and employment in the United States and has clinical practice requirements. Before enrolling, you must contact program officials to discuss eligibility and program requirements.
Nursing:
Qualified graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Prelicensure Option) are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). To obtain NCLEX-RN application information please contact the state in which you plan to apply for licensure. In New York, contact New York State Education Department Office of the Professions
Acupuncture:
Pacific College of Health and Science offers several programs leading to professional licensure or certification within the states of California, Illinois, and New York.
Qualified graduates of the acupuncture programs that include a Chinese herbal medicine specialization at all three campuses may apply to take the California Acupuncture Licensing Examination (CALE). Only graduates from schools approved by the California Acupuncture Board are allowed to sit for this exam. As of January 2017, only graduates of colleges that have applied for ACAHM accreditation will be eligible to sit for the CALE. To obtain information on the California acupuncture licensing exam application, please contact the California Acupuncture Board.
After graduation, eligible DAc, DAcCHM, MSAc, and MSAcCHM students may apply to take the following exams of the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM): Acupuncture Point Location, Foundations of Oriental Medicine, and Biomedicine. Additionally, DAcCHM, MSAcCHM, and CCHM graduates are eligible to take the Chinese Herbology section of the NCCAOM exam and are eligible for Oriental Medicine and Chinese Herbology certification upon graduation. The NCCAOM acupuncture exams are used by many states outside California, including New York and Illinois, as a part of their licensing requirements. Exam content requirements vary by state.
For detailed licensure requirements or to obtain exam applications, visit:
National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
New York State Education Department Office of the Professions
Please note the following states do not issue professional licensure for acupuncture and/or Chinese herbology: Alabama, Oklahoma and South Dakota.
Massage:
Pacific College of Health and Science offers programs leading to professional licensure or certification within the states of California and New York.
Qualified graduates of the AAS HHS, AOS MT and CMT/AB programs are eligible to take the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB). For detailed licensure requirements or to obtain the exam application, visit the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards.
Qualified graduates of the AAS HHS, AOS MT, and CMT/AB programs are eligible to take the Board Certification in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (BCTMB®) exam administered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). For detailed licensure requirements or to obtain the exam application, visit National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.
Qualified graduates of AAS HHS and AOS MT degrees, depending on course selection, are eligible to be a Certified Practitioner (CP) by the American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia (AOBTA®). For detailed licensure requirements, visit American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia
Massage certification in the state of California is awarded by the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC). A CAMTC Certified Massage Therapist (CMT) is required to have the equivalent of 500 or more hours (or the credit unit equivalent) of formal education and training in massage therapy. Applicants for CAMTC certification shall have attended 500 supervised hours total with 100 of those hours satisfying CAMTC specified subjects. For detailed licensure requirements or to obtain the exam application, visit California Massage Therapy Council .
Qualified graduates of the AOS MT degree in New York are eligible to take the New York State Massage Therapy Examination administered by the New York State Education Department: Office of the Professions (NYSED OP). For detailed licensure requirements or to obtain the exam application, visit New York State Board for Massage Therapy.
Please note the following states do not issue professional licensure or certification for massage therapy: Kansas, Minnesota, Vermont (registration required), Wyoming.
Nursing
Acupuncture
| State/Territories | Name and State Licensing Board |
Educational Requirements for Professional Licensure: Master of Science in or Doctorate of Acupuncture (MSAc/DAc) Students are Physically Located in Illinois or New York (DAc in 2025) Meets/Does Not Meet |
Educational Requirements for Professional Licensure for Master of Science in or Doctorate of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine specialization (MSAcCHM/DAcCHM) Students are Physically Located in California, Illinois, or New York Meets/Does Not Meet |
Educational Requirements for Professional Licensure for Certificate in Chinese Herbal Medicine (CCHM) Students are Physically Located in Illinois or New York Meets/Does Not Meet |
Educational Requirements for Professional Licensure for Transitional Doctor of Acupuncture TDAc (Completion) Not Intended for Licensure Distance Education Meets/Does Not Meet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama* | No Practice Act | Does Not License | Does Not License | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Alaska | Division of Corporation, Business and Professional Licensing – Acupuncture Division | Meets | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Arizona | Arizona Acupuncture Board of Examiners | Meets | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Arkansas | Arkansas State Board of Acupuncture & Related Techniques | Does Not Meet | Meets | NA | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| California | Department of Consumer Affairs – Acupuncture Board | Does Not Meet | Meets | Does Not Meet | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Colorado | Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) – Office of Acupuncture Licensure | Meets | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Connecticut | Connecticut Department of Public Health – Acupuncturist Licensure | Meets | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| D.C | DC Health – Acupuncture Licensing | Does Not Meet | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Delaware | Division of Professional Regulation – Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline – Acupuncture or Eastern Medicine Practitioner | Meets | Meets | NA | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Florida | Department of Health – Board of Acupuncture | Requires Additional Training | Requires Additional Training | NA | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Georgia | Georgia Composite Medical Board – Acupuncture Division | Meets | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Hawaii | Hawaii State Board of Acupuncture | Meets | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Idaho | Idaho Board of Acupuncture | Meets | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Illinois | Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) | Meets | Meets | Meets | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Indiana | Indiana Professional Licensing Agency – Medical Licensing Board | Meets | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Iowa | Iowa Board of Medicine | Meets | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Kansas | Kansas State Board of Healing Arts | Meets | Meets | NA | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Kentucky | Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure | Meets | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Louisiana | Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners | Meets | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Maine | Maine Board of Complementary Health Care Providers | Meets | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Maryland | Maryland Department of Health – State Board of Acupuncture | Meets | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Massachusetts | Board of Registration in Medicine – Committee on Acupuncture | Meets | Meets | NA | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Michigan | Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) – Michigan Board of Acupuncture | Meets | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Minnesota | Minnesota Board of Medical Practice – Acupuncture Registration | Meets | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Mississippi | Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure – Acupuncturist Registration | Meets | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Missouri | Missouri Division of Professional Registration – Missouri Acupuncturist Advisory Committee | Meets | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Montana | Montana Board of Medical Examiners – Acupuncturist Registration | Meets | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Nebraska | Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services – Acupuncture Licensure | Meets | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Nevada | Nevada State Board of Oriental Medicine | Does Not Meet | Does Not Meet | NA | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| New Hampshire | Office of Professional Licensure & Certification – Board of Acupuncture | Meets | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| New Jersey | New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners – Acupuncture Examining Board | Meets | Meets | NA | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| New Mexico | New Mexico Board of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine | Does Not Meet | Does Not Meet | NA | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| New York | New York State Education Department – Office of the Professions – Acupuncture | Meets | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| North Carolina | North Carolina Acupuncture Licensing Board | Meets | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| North Dakota | North Dakota Board of Integrative Health Care | Meets | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Ohio | State Medical Board of Ohio – Acupuncture Registration | Meets | Meets | NA | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Oklahoma* | No Practice Act | Does Not License | Does Not License | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Oregon | Oregon Medical Board – Acupuncture Licensing | Meets | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine | Meets | Meets | NA | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island Department of Health – Acupuncture Licensing | Meets | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| South Carolina | South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners – Acupuncture Registration | Meets | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| South Dakota* | No Practice Act | Does Not License | Does Not License | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Tennessee | Tennessee Health Professional Boards – Board of Acupuncture | Meets | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Texas | Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners | Does Not Meet | Meets | NA | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Utah | Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing | Meets | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Vermont | Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) – Acupuncturists | Meets | Meets | NA | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Virginia | Virginia Board of Medicine | Meets | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Washington | Washington State Department of Health – Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine Practitioner Licensing | Meets | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| West Virginia | West Virginia Board of Acupuncture | Meets | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Wisconsin | Department of Safety and Professional Services – Acupuncturist | Meets | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
| Wyoming | Wyoming Board of Acupuncture | Meets | Meets | Does Not License or Optional | Please refer to state guidelines if intending to sit for licensure |
Massage Therapy
| State/Territories | Name / State Licensing Board |
Educational Requirements for Professional Licensure for Certificate in Massage Therapy/Asian Bodywork (CMT/AB) Students are Physically Located in California Meets/Does Not Meet |
Educational Requirements for Professional Licensure for Associate of Occupational Studies Massage Therapy (AOS MT) Students are Physically Located in New York Meets/Does Not Meet |
Educational Requirements for Professional Licensure for Associate of Applied Science Holistic Health Science (AAS HHS) Students are Physically Located in California Meets/Does Not Meet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Alabama Board of Massage Therapy | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| Alaska | Division of Corporation, Business and Professional Licensing – Acupuncture Division | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| Arizona | Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy | Does Not Meet | Meets | Meets |
| Arkansas | Arkansas Department of Health | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| California | California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| Colorado | Colorado Office of Massage Therapy Licensure | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| Connecticut | Connecticut State Department of Public Health | Does Not Meet | Meets | Meets |
| D.C | District of Columbia Board of Massage Therapy | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| Delaware | Delaware Board of Massage and Bodywork | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| Florida | Florida Board of Massage Therapy | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| Georgia | Georgia Board of Massage Therapy | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| Hawaii | Hawaii Board of Massage Therapy | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| Idaho | Idaho Board of Massage Therapy | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| Illinois | Illinois Department of Financial And Professional Regulation | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| Indiana | Indiana State Board of Massage Therapy | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| Iowa | Iowa Board of Massage Therapy | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| Kansas | Does Not License/Register | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Kentucky | Kentucky Board of Licensure For Massage Therapy | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| Louisiana | Louisiana Board of Massage Therapy | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| Maine | Maine Department of Professional And Financial Regulation | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| Maryland | Maryland Board of Massage Therapy Examiners | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| Massachusetts | Massachusetts Board of Registration Of Massage Therapy | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| Michigan | Michigan Board of Massage Therapy | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| Minnesota | Does Not License/Register | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Mississippi | Mississippi State Board of Massage Therapy | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| Missouri | Missouri Board of Therapeutic Massage | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| Montana | Montana Board Of Massage Therapy | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| Nebraska | Nebraska Office Of Behavioral Health And Consumer Services | Does Not Meet | Meets | Meets |
| Nevada | Nevada State Board of Massage Therapy | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| New Hampshire | New Hampshire Advisory Board Of Massage Therapists | Does Not Meet | Meets | Meets |
| New Jersey | New Jersey Board Of Massage And Bodywork Therapy | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| New Mexico | New Mexico Massage Therapy Board | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| New York | New York State Department: Office Of The Professions | Does Not Meet | Meets | Meets |
| North Carolina | North Carolina Board of Massage And Bodywork Therapy | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| North Dakota | North Dakota Board Of Massage Therapy | Does Not Meet | Meets | Meets |
| Ohio | State Medical Board Of Ohio | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma Board Of Cosmetology And Barbering | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| Oregon | Oregon State Board Of Massage Therapists | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania State Board Of Massage Therapy | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island Massage Therapy Examining Board | Does Not Meet | Meets | Meets |
| South Carolina | South Carolina Board Of Massage Therapy | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| South Dakota | South Dakota Board Of Massage Therapy | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| Tennessee | Tennessee Board Of Massage Licensure | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| Texas | Texas Department Of Licensing And Regulation | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| Utah | Utah Massage Therapy Board | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| Vermont | Vermont Office Of Professional Regulation | Meets (Register) | Meets (Register) | Meets (Register) |
| Virginia | Virginia Board Of Nursing | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| Washington | Washington State Department Of Health | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| West Virginia | West Virginia Massage Therapy Licensure Board | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| Wisconsin | State Of Wisconsin Department Of Safety And Professional Services | Meets | Meets | Meets |
| Wyoming | Does Not License | N/A | N/A | N/A |