Career and Technical Program Professional Licensure Disclosure
Career and Technical Program Professional Licensure Disclosure
In compliance with the U.S. Department of Education and the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA), Colorado Northwestern Community College (CNCC) provides information pertaining to professional licensure and certification in correlation with programs offered at CNCC that may lead to state licensure.
Students are advised to review the following program licensure information BEFORE beginning a program at CNCC that leads to professional licensure with the intent to be licensed outside of the state of Colorado:
- Review the licensing information provided for the applicable program(s) below.
- While CNCC endeavors to ensure this information is up to date, changes in licensure requirements of any state can change at any time.
- Contact the appropriate licensing agency in the U.S. states and territories where
licensure is intended.
- This will enable you to obtain the most up-to-date information about licensure requirements and confirm CNCC’s program meets those requirements especially while progressing through any of these programs.
Not all of CNCC’s programs are formally approved for professional licensure. However, while a program may not be formally approved in states outside of Colorado, it may still meet all or a portion of the “educational” requirements for licensure in other states and territories. Therefore, it may be necessary for you to contact the licensing agency directly to find out if a CNCC program will meet educational requirements in states other than Colorado.
Students interested in professional licensure programs should contact the applicable licensing board to determine any additional requirements, beyond the degree program that may need to be fulfilled to obtain licensure in a particular state. Some licensing boards may require additional post-graduation examinations, acquire additional experience, pay application and/or licensing fees, undergo criminal background checks, submit fingerprints, or provide other information prior to obtaining licensure.
Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT)
The AMT program at CNCC is an certified Part 147 program by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). As such, students who successfully pass their FAA licensure exams, meet federal licensure requirements for all 50 states and US territories (American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). Students are eligible to take their airframe and powerplant exams at different times and can hold those independently of one another.
For additional information regarding specific questions on the FAA licensure exam, please contact Ty Harrison (ty.harrison@cncc.edu).
Aviation Technology (AVT)
The AVT program at CNCC is an accredited Part 141 program by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). As such, students who successfully take their FAA licensure exams, meet federal licensure requirements for all 50 states and US territories (American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands).
For additional information regarding specific questions on the FAA licensure exam, please contact Nathan Hardin (nathan.hardin@cncc.edu).
Barbering
Completion of the certificate in occupational certificate in Barbering for Cosmetologists is only eligible for current Colorado cosmetologists. CNCC does not have a stand-alone barbering associate of applied science degree.
Cosmetology
Completion of the Associate of Applied Studies in Cosmetology, and Cosmetology certificate prepares students to take the State of Colorado licensure boards/exams and has determined that the program meets the requirements for cosmetology licensing in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., Wisconsin, Guam, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.
The Cosmetology program has determined that the program does not meet the requirements for licensing in the following states: Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming, Mariana Islands, and American Samoa’s.
Many states allow individuals who hold cosmetology licenses from other states to apply for licensure by reciprocity. Each state has different requirements for licensure by reciprocity, and students are encouraged to visit the Department of Regulator Affairs (DORA) for the state they want to practice in to get further specifics.
Licensing Board
Students considering enrolling in the program should contact Armanda Wiley (armanda.wiley@cncc.edu) for further clarification.
Dental Hygiene
All graduated dental hygiene students take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam and then a state/regional clinical examination. This qualifies dental hygienists to practice in: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, 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, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Washington D.C., Virgin Islands (US territory), Mariana Islands (US territory), and Guam (US territory).
CNCC’s program does not meet licensure requirements for the following: American Samoa (US territory), and Puerto Rico (US Territory).
Licensing Board
- American Dental Hygienists Association: Licensure Requirements | 312.440.8900
- National Licensing organization: National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) | 800.232.1694
- State/regional clinical exam contacts:
- Central Regional Dental Testing Services (CRDTS).
- State Resources for Testing and Assessment (SRTA) – has merged with CRDTS (above), please reach out to CRDTS at crdts.org or call the central office at 785.273.0380.
- Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA) – administers the ADEX Dental Hygiene Exams.
- Council of Interstate Testing Agencies (CITA) – administers the ADEX Dental Hygiene Exams.
- Western Regional Examining Board (WREB) – administers the ADEX Dental Hygiene Exams.
- Colorado Dental Board Requirements: Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) | 303.894.7800
Students considering enrolling in the dental hygiene program should contact LaKell Archer (lakell.archer@cncc.edu).
Early Childhood Education Teacher
The Early Childhood Education Teacher program gives students their first step by completing the educational requirements. You must also complete 3,185 hours of verified experience in the care and supervision of four (4) or more children less than eight (8) years of age who are not related to the individual before you can obtain a certification in Colorado.
The Early Childhood Education Level I teacher program does not prepare you to teach in: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, 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, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Washington D.C., American Samoa, Guam, Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands.
Licensing Board
- Qualifications for Colorado are outlined below. Colleges falls under qualification pathway rule 2.216.A.1.g on the Early Childhood Teacher Qualification Pathway | 303.866.5948
Early Childhood Education Director
The Early Childhood Education Director program gives students their first step by completing its educational requirements. You must also complete 910 hours of on-the-job training before you can obtain a certification in Colorado.
The Early Childhood Education Director program does not prepare you to teach in: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, 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, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Washington D.C., American Samoa, Guam, Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands.
Licensing Board
- Qualifications for Colorado are outlined below. Colleges fall under qualification pathway rule 2.214.C.4: on the Early Childhood Teacher Qualification Pathway | 303.866.5948
Students considering enrolling in the any of CNCC's Early Childhood Education programs should contact Andrew Goff (andrew.goff@cncc.edu).
Park Ranger Law Enforcement Academy - Seasonal Law Enforcement Program
The PRLEA program provides a curriculum directly from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) and is approved to be a training center for seasonal law enforcement officers. Students who successfully complete the NPS FLETC requirements through CNCC’s PRLEA program will receive their Type-II certificate from FLETC and is eligible for seasonal law enforcement employment at any National Park in the nation and US territories (American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). Many state parks also recognize this certificate for employment.
For additional information regarding state parks that will hire under our credential, or if a student is considering enrolling in the Park Ranger Law Enforcement Academy, please contact Kathy Kottenstette (kathy.kottenstette@cncc.edu)
Nurse Aide
The Nurse Aide program qualifies graduates to sit for the National Nurse Aide Assessment Exam in the following states and territories: Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, US Virgin Islands, N Mariana Islands, Guam, District of Columbia.
The Nurse Aide program does not qualify graduates in the following states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, American Samoa, Puerto Rico.
Licensing Board
- The National Nurse Aide Assessment Program: Exams | 312.525.3600
- Colorado Board of Nursing Certification Site: Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) | 303.894.7800
Students considering enrolling in the nurse aide program should contact Noreen Beckett (noreen.beckett@cncc.edu).
Nursing
Colorado participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) meaning Nurses can practice in other NLC states. The NUR program trains nursing students to obtain a Colorado State Nursing License. Once a graduate receives the Colorado State license they may then practice in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, 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, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Mariana Islands, Guam, and Virgin Islands. (NCSBN, 2025)
The Nursing program does not meet the state licensure requirements for the states below, as graduates cannot practice in these states and U.S. territories without obtaining additional licenses. American Samoa, and Puerto Rico.
Licensing Board
- Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies State Board of Nursing | 303.894.7800
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) Nurse Licensure Compact | 312.525.3600
Students considering enrolling in the nursing program should contact Noreen Beckett (noreen.beckett@cncc.edu).
Practical Nurse
Colorado participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) meaning Nurses can practice in other NLC states. The NUR program trains nursing students to obtain a Colorado State Nursing License. Once a graduate receives the Colorado State license they may then practice in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, 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, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Mariana Islands, Guam, and Virgin Islands. (NCSBN, 2025)
The Nursing program does not meet the state licensure requirements for the states below, as graduates cannot practice in these states and U.S. territories without obtaining additional licenses. American Samoa, and Puerto Rico.
Licensing Board
- NCSBN Regulatory Exam - Practical Nurse | 866.293.9600
Students considering enrolling in the nurse aide program should contact Noreen Beckett (noreen.beckett@cncc.edu).
Radiologic Technology
The CNCC Rad Tech program is compliant with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) accreditation practice as CNCC is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission. Graduates from the Rad Tech program are eligible to sit for certification exam(s) through ARRT. Although not all states require ARRT certification to become licensed, many employers do. It is strongly recommended that students become certificated through ARRT.
CNCC’s radiologic technology program meets all state and US territory requirements.
Licensing Board
- Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment – X-ray machine operators and technologists | 303.692.2000
- American Registry of Radiologic Technologists | 651.687.0048
For additional information or if a student is considering enrolling in the Radiologic Technology Program, please contact Jade Bruchez (jade.bruchez@cncc.edu).