Regulated profession in United States

Short answer

For regulated professional work in the United States, locate the licensing authority for the exact profession and state or territory; a generic nationwide academic evaluation does not grant the right to practise.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · New York State Education Department (NYSED)

Who decides

The applicable state or territory board decides professional registration and licence requirements; a verification provider or professional examination service may support, but does not replace, this decision.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · New York State Education Department (NYSED)

Check this before paying

Start with the BLS guidance to the CareerOneStop License Finder to locate the occupation and state licensing authority; then read the board's rules directly.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · New York State Education Department (NYSED)

When this applies

Occupations, legal practice titles, education, exams and training requirements differ across states. New York nursing and medicine are examples with separate board processes, not rules for California or other jurisdictions.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · New York State Education Department (NYSED)

Which document

Only the exact regulator's evidence requirements, such as transcripts sent from the school, source verification, a course evaluation or required exams; formats and provider acceptance can differ.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · New York State Education Department (NYSED)

Avoid the wrong purchase

Do not assume an NACES, NCEES, WES, FCVS or other generic service is accepted by every licensing board. Confirm the specific board first.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · New York State Education Department (NYSED)

What this does not do

An orientation to state-regulated professions, not a complete state-by-state licensing inventory or an individual professional determination.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · New York State Education Department (NYSED)

Your next official step

Search the occupation and intended state using the official board locator linked by BLS, then consult the relevant board before purchasing any report.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · New York State Education Department (NYSED)

The licence belongs to the jurisdiction, not to the evaluator

BLS distinguishes government licensing from often voluntary certifications, and explains that state regulatory boards set occupation rules. The same occupation may require different exams, training and academic evidence in different states.

Sources: Licenses, certifications, and registrations in occupations

A state-specific nursing example

NYSED separately decides registered nurse licensure and documents foreign-education verification options. That New York route is not a credential approval route for other states.

Sources: New York registered professional nursing licence requirements

DiploWay preparation checklist

Write down the state, intended professional title, and type of licensed work before identifying any evaluation service.

Ask the competent board for its exact foreign-qualification evidence and whether direct school verification, an independent service, or profession-specific course evaluation is required.

Explore another use for the same qualification

• University admission: University admission in the United States
• Non-regulated work: Non-regulated work in United States
• Immigration documents: Immigration documents in United States