Special Note for Out of State Online Students (non-Virginia)
Mountain Empire Community College has entered into a regional reciprocity agreement through NC-SARA to accept out-of-state students in our online programs and courses.
Institutions that participate in reciprocity through SARA must be aware and comply with notification requirements directed by SARA Policy. The June 12, 2020 NC-SARA Announcement, regarding a revision to the language of Section 5.2 (Programs leading to Professional Licensure), states the following notification requirements that more closely align with Federal regulations:
SARA has no effect on State professional licensing requirements. Any Institution approved to participate in SARA that offers courses or programs designed to lead to Professional Licensure or certification or advertised as leading to Licensure must satisfy all federal requirements for disclosures regarding such Professional Licensure programs under 34 §C.F.R. 668.43. For SARA purposes, these requirements will also apply to non-Title IV institutions.
For SARA purposes, institutions that are unable, after all reasonable efforts, to determine whether a program will meet state professional licensure requirements shall provide the student or applicant with current contact information for any applicable licensing boards, and advise the student or applicant to determine whether the program meets requirements for Licensure in the State where the student or applicant is located.
A jurisdiction’s professional licensing boards often require applicants for licensure to meet multiple requirements, including specific educational requirements. An institution’s program might meet all of the educational requirements in one jurisdiction, but not another (for example, an applicant might need to complete an additional class).
Applicants are also encouraged to seek additional information for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek licensure by contacting the jurisdiction. Additional helpful licensing information can be found at: http://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/Plan/licensed-occupations.aspx.
Enrolled students who change their address must update their information inside the Student Information System.
MECC’s Student Complaint Policy is described on the Student Complaints – Mountain Empire Community College (skin-information.com) and within the College Catalog. MECC strives to provide the highest quality educational opportunities available. However, if a conflict does arise, our efforts are meant to resolve grievances, complaints, and concerns in an expeditious, fair, and amicable manner. Students should follow carefully the steps outlined in the Student Complaint Policy to ensure proper and timely resolution of their complaint. Complaints must follow the college’s customary resolution procedure prior to being referred to SCHEV.
Professional Licensure Disclosures
All programs, regardless of modality, are required to provide general (public) and direct (individual) disclosures to students in programs that lead to licensure or certification. This rule applies to educational programs that are either:
- Designed to meet education requirements for a specific professional license or certification that is required for employment in an occupation
OR
- Advertised as meeting licensure or certification requirements
The following information is intended to publicly disclose any MECC program, no matter the method of delivery, designed to meet educational requirements for specific professional licensure or certification that is required for employment or is marketed as such. The impacted programs are noted below.
Additional helpful licensing information can be found at: http://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/Plan/licensed-occupations.aspx.
Licensure Reciprocity
Special Note for Out of State Online Students (non-Virginia) State Authorization and Student Complaint Process
State Authorization is a legal issue dealing with an institution’s adherence to state requirements for colleges to secure authorization to offer instruction in that state. Mountain Empire Community College has been approved by Virginia to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of post-secondary distance education.
Prospective students living outside Virginia interested in degree or certificate programs that require internships, clinicals, or licensure upon graduation should check with their individual states regarding any special limitations on allowable online courses.
- NC-Sara information about Professional Licensure for Students
- NC-Sara Professional Licensure Frequently Asked Questions
- NC_Sara List of some Licensure and Accreditation Agencies – List is NOT all-inclusive
| Program | Licensure | Meets state educational requirements for licensure | Does not meet the state educational requirements for licensure | MECC has not made a determination on licensure reciprocity | State Licensure Information | Virginia Licensure Information | Other Helpful Websites |
| AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner(Computer Networking. Computer Software Specialist, Cybersecurity) | AK, AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY | Licensure required to work in VANational Certification http://aws.amazon.com/certification/certified-cloud-practitioner/ | |||||
| Certified Ethical Hacker(CEH) (Cybersecurity Program) | CEH | AK, AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY | National Certification http://www.eccouncil.org/programs/certified-ethical-hacker-ceh/ | ||||
| Certified Professional Coder (CPC) (Medical Office Coding Procedures) | CPC | AK, AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY | National Certificationhttp://nala.org/ | ||||
| Certified Electronic Health Records Specialists (CEHRS) (Administrative Support Technology – Medical Office Specialist and Medical Records Technician | CEHRS | AK, AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY | National Certification http://nhanow.org/ | ||||
| Dental Assisting | Not yet determined | Not yet determined | Not yet determined | http://www.danb.org/state-requirements | Earn Dental Assistant Certification | DANB | ||
| Early Childhood Development | Not yet determined | Not yet determined | Not yet determined | National Assoc. of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification | Virginia Dept. of Education | ||
| Emergency Medical Services | NREMT | AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY | IL, MT | http://www.nremt.org/Resources/ | Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services | http://dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/ | |
| Health Information Management | Not yet determined; national certification | Not yet determined; national certification | Not yet determined; national certification | Program Directory (cahiim.org) | Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) | AHIMA | ||
| HVAC | Not yet determined | Not yet determined | Not yet determined | http://faradaycareers.com/ | Virginia Dept. of Professional and Occupational Regulation | ||
| Medical Office Coding and Procedures | Not yet determined | Not yet determined | Not yet determined | American Academy of Prof. Coders (AAPC) | N/A | ||
| Nursing Assistant | CNA | Not yet determined | State by State List of Nurse Aide Registries | Virginia Board of Nursing | |||
| Nursing | RN | AL, AZ, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MS, MO, NE, NH, NM, NC, ND, OK, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV, WI, WY | AK, CA, CT, HI, IL, MN, NV, NY, DC, OR, WA | MA, MI, NJ, OH, PA, RI, VT | Nurse Licensure Compact | Virginia Board of Nursing | Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) | NCSBN |
| Oracle Database SQL Certified Associate (Computer Software Specialist) | AK, AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY | National Certification http://education.oracle.com/de/ | |||||
| Paralegal | CP | AK, AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY | No state licensure requirements | No state licensure requirements | Paralegal Certification | National Federation of Paralegal Associations (paralegals.org) | National Certificationhttp://nala.org/ | |
| Pharmacy Technician |
PTCB CPhT
|
State Regulations and Map (ptcb.org) | Virginia Board of Pharmacy | Boards of Pharmacy National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (nabp.pharmacy) | |||
| Practical Nursing | LPN | AL, AZ, AR, CO, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MS, MO, MT, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NC, ND, OH, OK, RI SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY |
Nevada Oregon |
US Virgin Islands
Guam |
Virginia Board of Nursing | Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) | NCSBN | |
| Real Estate Licensure (Real Estate Program | AL, CO, ME, MI, VAPartial ReciprocityGA, TN, WV | AK, AR, AZ, CA, CT, DE, FL, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KY, KS, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TX, UT, VT, WA, WI, WY | Licensure required to work in VAState Specific Guidelines http://www.aceableagent.com/career-center/national/real-estate-license-reciprocity/ | ||||
| Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) (Health Information Management Program) | RHIT | K, AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY | Licensure required to work in VANational Certificationhttp://ahima.org | ||||
| Respiratory Therapy | RRTCRT | AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY | AK – Currently do not have a state licensure for RThttp://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/ProfessionalLicensing.aspx | Home – The National Board for Respiratory Care (nbrc.org) | http://www.dhp.virginia.gov | http://practitionerportal.nbrc.org | |
| Truck Driving CDL | Not yet determined | Not yet determined | Not yet determined | Federal Motor Carrier Safety Admin. (FMCSA) | Virginia Dept of Motor Vehicles | ||
| Welding | Not yet determined | Not yet determined | Not yet determined | http://www.aws.org/resources/page/home | Virginia Dept. of Transportation | Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov) |
Sources cited:
- The Uniform Licensing Requirements (ULRs) are found at: http://www.ncsbn.org/NLC_ULRs.pdf
- States currently in the NLC are found at: http://www.ncsbn.org/public-files/nlcmemberstates.pdf
- A list of all state requirements is found at: http://www.ncsbn.org/14730.htm
- For further information regarding EMS certifications, visit nasemso.org.
- Further information regarding Nursing may also be found at: http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Nursing/EducationPrograms/ProspectiveStudents/
- Further information regarding RT state licensure requirements may be found at: http://www.aarc.org/advocacy/state-society-resources/state-licensure-contacts/
Mountain Empire Community College has not determined that the programs listed below meet the licensing requirements for the states and U.S. territories other than Virginia.
| Program | Licensing/Certification/Credentialing Organization |
| Electrician Tradesmen | Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, An Agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia: www.dpor.virginia.gov |
| HVAC Tradesmen | Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, An Agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia: www.dpor.virginia.gov |
| Plumbers Tradesmen | Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, An Agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia: www.dpor.virginia.gov |
| Gas Fitters Recert Tradesmen | Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, An Agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia: www.dpor.virginia.gov |
| Real Estate Sales and Broker | Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, An Agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia: www.dpor.virginia.gov |
| Waterworks/ Wastewater Works Facility Operator | Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, An Agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia: www.dpor.virginia.gov |
| Waste Management Facility Operator | Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, An Agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia: www.dpor.virginia.gov |
| Phlebotomy | National Phlebotomy Association:
http://www.nationalphlebotomy.org/ http://www.nationalphlebotomy.org/resource/1641924463000/Program_Application |
| Nursing Assistant | Virginia Board of Nursing:
http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Nursing/EducationPrograms/ProspectiveStudents/ http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Nursing/EducationPrograms/CNAEducation/ |
| Dental Assisting | Dental Assisting National Board: http://www.danb.org/en/The-Dental-Community/Dental-Assistants/Dental-Assisting-Programs/DANB-Accepted-Programs-for-NELDA-Certification/Post-Secondary-Dental-Assisting-Programs.aspx
http://www.danb.org/Home/Meet%20State%20Requirements/State-Specific-Information/Virginia.aspx |
| Pharmacy Technician | Virginia Board of Pharmacy and “In-Candidate” status for the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists: http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/pharmacy/pharmacy_faq.htm#TechRegistration
http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Pharmacy/ http://www.ashp.org/professional-development/technician-program-accreditation http://accreditation.ashp.org/directory/#/program/technician |
MECC recommends that any student enrolling in a program at MECC leading to external licensure or certification contact the state board, or agency of the program in the state which they wish to practice, for the most complete and up to date information regarding licensure, registration, and certification. In addition to educational requirements, an agency or board may require additional criteria be met for licensure, certification, registration, etc. Interested students can click the License Finder | CareerOneStop website for contact information of state licensing agency bodies, by program and/or by state. Students can also investigate if the occupation requires a license on the License Finder link on the Licensed Occupations | CareerOneStop website.
Mountain Empire Community College has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.
