Professional Licensure
Find policies and procedures for professional licensure.
Programs intended to lead to professional licensure or certification that are required for employment in an occupation, CIIS is required by federal regulations to disclose to prospective and enrolled students the states and territories in which CIIS has determined that the curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification and the states in which CIIS has determined the curriculum does not meet the educational requirements for licensure or certification. These public disclosure requirements apply to all programs, regardless of their modality (i.e., residential, online, and hybrid programs).
Completion of a CIIS degree program does not guarantee employment in any profession. Professional licensing and certification requirements may vary by state and territory. Some states may have additional licensure or certification requirements such as background checks, examinations, fingerprinting, fees, and work experiences hours.
Potential Changes in Requirements
Licensure information is reviewed on an annual basis and updated on this site. While CIIS strives to provide the most up-to-date information, state licensure and certification requirements may change frequently and often without notice. While a program may initially meet the educational requirements for licensure or certification, changes in regulations could impact the program’s ability to meet any new educational requirements. CIIS encourages all applicants to visit the board responsible for licensure or certification in any state or territory in which they wish to obtain licensure or certification for the most current requirements.
Relocating During the Course of a Program
Should a prospective or current student relocate to a state, territory, or country in which CIIS is not authorized to provide distance education or otherwise exempt, continued enrollment cannot be guaranteed. This may also impact whether that student can meet educational requirements for licensure or certification, receive financial aid funding, and/or veteran’s benefits. If students are considering relocating, they should contact their program chair or director to check for authorization and licensure eligibility requirements.
If students relocate, they must update their residential address with the university.
Alternative Pathways to Licensure
This disclosure does not provide any guarantee that any state licensure or certification board will approve or deny an application. Each state licensing board will review applications on a case-by-case basis. That said, CIIS graduates go on to obtain licensure in states outside of California each year. It is possible to gain additional education requirements to become license eligible outside of California. However, these additional units will not be covered under financial aid.
Enrollment Restrictions for License Eligible Programs
For the programs listed below, students must be located in California, Nevada, or Oregon by the first day of classes and through the entirety of the program.
- M.A. in Counseling Psychology - Community Mental Health
- M.A. in Counseling Psychology - Integral Counseling Psychology Weekend
- M.A. in Counseling Psychology - Integral Counseling Psychology Day
- M.A. in Counseling Psychology - Somatic Psychology
- M.A. in Counseling Psychology - Drama Therapy
- Psy.D. - Clinical Psychology
For the program listed below, students must be located in California by the first day of classes and through the entirety of the program.
- M.A. in Counseling Psychology - Expressive Arts Therapy
For information about student location requirements concerning students enrolling in the MA-CP and/or Psy.D. programs, visit State Authorization.
Professional Licensure Disclosures
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The M.A. in Counseling Psychology concentration in Integral Counseling Psychology program is designed to meet the educational requirements for licensure as required for employment in the following occupation(s): Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor.
Determinations regarding professional licensure eligibility associated with this program are outlined below.
- The Program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the following states: Alaska, California, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Tennessee, The Virgin Islands, Washington, West Virginia.
- The Program does not meet the educational requirements for professional counseling licensure in the following states: Alabama, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Federal States of Micronesia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Republic of Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
- The Program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the following states: Alaska, California, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Tennessee, The Virgin Islands, Washington, West Virginia.
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The M.A. in Counseling Psychology concentration in Integral Counseling Psychology program is designed to meet the educational requirements for licensure as required for employment in the following occupation(s): Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Determinations regarding professional licensure eligibility associated with this program are outlined below.
The Program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the following states: California, The Virgin Islands
- The Program does not meet the educational requirements for professional counseling licensure in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Federated States of Micronesia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
- The Program does not meet the educational requirements for professional counseling licensure in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Federated States of Micronesia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
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The M.A. in Counseling Psychology concentration in Integral Counseling Psychology program is designed to meet the educational requirements for licensure as required for employment in the following occupation(s): Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor.
Determinations regarding professional licensure eligibility associated with this program are outlined below.
- The Program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the following states: Alaska, California, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Tennessee, The Virgin Islands, Washington, West Virginia.
- The Program does not meet the educational requirements for professional counseling licensure in the following states: Alabama, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Federal States of Micronesia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Republic of Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
- The Program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the following states: Alaska, California, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Tennessee, The Virgin Islands, Washington, West Virginia.
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The M.A. in Counseling Psychology concentration in Integral Counseling Psychology program is designed to meet the educational requirements for licensure as required for employment in the following occupation(s): Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Determinations regarding professional licensure eligibility associated with this program are outlined below.
- The Program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the following states: California, The Virgin Islands
- The Program does not meet the educational requirements for professional counseling licensure in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, American Samoa, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Federated States of Micronesia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
- The Program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the following states: California, The Virgin Islands
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The M.A. in Counseling Psychology concentration in Drama Therapy program is designed to meet the educational requirements for licensure as required for employment in the following occupation(s): Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor.
Determinations regarding professional licensure eligibility associated with this program are outlined below.
- The Program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the following states: Alaska, California, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Tennessee, The Virgin Islands, Washington, West Virginia.
- The Program does not meet the educational requirements for professional counseling licensure in the following states: Alabama, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Federal States of Micronesia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Republic of Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
- The Program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the following states: Alaska, California, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Tennessee, The Virgin Islands, Washington, West Virginia.
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The M.A. in Counseling Psychology concentration in Drama Therapy program is designed to meet the educational requirements for licensure as required for employment in the following occupation(s): Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Determinations regarding professional licensure eligibility associated with this program are outlined below.
- The Program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the following states: California, The Virgin Islands
- The Program does not meet the educational requirements for professional counseling licensure in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, American Samoa, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Federated States of Micronesia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
- The Program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the following states: California, The Virgin Islands
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The M.A. in Counseling Psychology concentration in Expressive Arts Therapy program is designed to meet the educational requirements for licensure as required for employment in the following occupation(s): Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor.
Determinations regarding professional licensure eligibility associated with this program are outlined below.
- The Program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the following states: Alaska, California, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Tennessee, The Virgin Islands, Washington, West Virginia.
- The Program does not meet the educational requirements for professional counseling licensure in the following states: Alabama, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Federal States of Micronesia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Republic of Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
- The Program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the following states: Alaska, California, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Tennessee, The Virgin Islands, Washington, West Virginia.
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The M.A. in Counseling Psychology concentration in Expressive Arts Therapy program is designed to meet the educational requirements for licensure as required for employment in the following occupation(s): Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Determinations regarding professional licensure eligibility associated with this program are outlined below.
- The Program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the following states: California, Montana, The Virgin Islands
- The Program does not meet the educational requirements for professional counseling licensure in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Federated States of Micronesia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
- The Program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the following states: California, Montana, The Virgin Islands
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The M.A. in Counseling Psychology concentration in Community Mental Health program is designed to meet the educational requirements for licensure as required for employment in the following occupation(s): Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor.
Determinations regarding professional licensure eligibility associated with this program are outlined below.
- The Program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the following states: Alaska, California, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Tennessee, The Virgin Islands, Washington, West Virginia.
- The Program does not meet the educational requirements for professional counseling licensure in the following states: Alabama, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Federal States of Micronesia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Republic of Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
- The Program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the following states: Alaska, California, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Tennessee, The Virgin Islands, Washington, West Virginia.
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The M.A. in Counseling Psychology concentration in Community Mental Health program is designed to meet the educational requirements for licensure as required for employment in the following occupation(s): Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Determinations regarding professional licensure eligibility associated with this program are outlined below.
- The Program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the following states: Alaska, California, Kentucky, Montana, New Jersey, The Virgin Islands
- The Program does not meet the educational requirements for professional counseling licensure in the following states: Alabama, Arizona, American Samoa, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Federated States of Micronesia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
- The Program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the following states: Alaska, California, Kentucky, Montana, New Jersey, The Virgin Islands
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The M.A. in Counseling Psychology concentration in Somatic Psychology program is designed to meet the educational requirements for licensure as required for employment in the following occupation(s): Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor.
Determinations regarding professional licensure eligibility associated with this program are outlined below.
- The Program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the following states: Alaska, California, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Tennessee, The Virgin Islands, Washington, West Virginia.
- The Program does not meet the educational requirements for professional counseling licensure in the following states: Alabama, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Federal States of Micronesia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Republic of Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
- The Program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the following states: Alaska, California, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Tennessee, The Virgin Islands, Washington, West Virginia.
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The M.A. in Counseling Psychology concentration in Somatic Psychology program is designed to meet the educational requirements for licensure as required for employment in the following occupation(s): Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Determinations regarding professional licensure eligibility associated with this program are outlined below.
- The Program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the following states: California, The Virgin Islands
- The Program does not meet the educational requirements for professional counseling licensure in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Federated States of Micronesia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
- The Program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the following states: California, The Virgin Islands
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The Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology Program is designed to meet the educational requirements for licensure as required for employment in the following occupation(s): Psychologist.
Determinations regarding professional licensure eligibility associated with this program are outlined below.
- The Program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a Licensed Psychologist in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, The Virgin Islands, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
- The Program does not meet the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a Licensed Psychologist in the following states: American Samoa, District of Columbia, Federated States of Micronesia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, The Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, South Carolina, Tennessee, The Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Washington.
International Students: We warmly welcome international students to our Psy.D. program. While residing in California during their studies, our international students gain valuable experience and education. Many of our graduates go on to practice in countries around the world, including inspiring examples from Italy and Ethiopia.
- The Program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a Licensed Psychologist in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, The Virgin Islands, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Contact Us
Please contact our Admissions Team with any questions about state authorizations and professional licensure.