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Certain occupations, such as accounting and nursing, are regulated by state and/or government entities establishing standards of practice for the occupations or professions. These standards provide legal permission to practice those professions, through Professional Licensure, only to individuals who meet those standards. These standard requirements for professional licensure may vary from state to state.  


Professional Licensure Disclosures at AACC

Some programs of study at Anne Arundel Community College are designed to meet requirements for professional licensure or certification in Maryland. If you plan to enroll in a program that can lead to professional licensure, and you plan to apply for licensure or certification in a state other than Maryland, it is recommended that you contact that state's licensing board to determine whether the program of study and required courses meet the requirements for licensure or certification in that state. If you need help obtaining contact information, call the academic school responsible for that program.

Financial Accounting, Certificate

The Financial Accounting certificate at AACC is intended for students who already have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher and who wish to complete the individual course requirements to sit for the Maryland Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam.

CPA Exam Requirements

Those initially applying to sit for the CPA exam in Maryland must qualify by (1) holding a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from an accredited college or university; (2) completing 150 credit hours; and (3) completing a minimum of 51 credit hours in accounting and related business subjects, including certain required courses.

We cannot confirm whether AACC’s Financial Accounting certificate meets licensing requirements in other states. Therefore, students seeking licensure in another state are advised to contact the appropriate licensing board in their state. Contact AACC’s Business division if you need assistance identifying your state’s licensing board.

Surrounding States' Accounting Boards

Addiction Counseling, A.A.S. and Certificate

These programs prepare students for careers in addiction counseling and enhance knowledge and skills of those already working in the field. Skills include individual, family and group counseling techniques, as well as assessment, treatment planning, prevention and other topics related to addiction. Coursework includes clinical fieldwork. These programs provide the necessary academic coursework to attain certification as a certified supervised counselor-alcohol and drug (CSC-AD) by the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors. Students should contact the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors for all licensure and certification requirements at 410-764-4732 or the Maryland Department of Health for requirements.

AACC cannot confirm whether these programs or courses meet requirements for professional licensure in states other than Maryland. If you plan to apply for licensure in a state other than Maryland, contact that state’s licensing board to determine whether the AACC courses or programs meet requirements for licensure in that state. If you need help finding contact information for your state, or if you need information regarding professional licensure, call the School of Health Sciences at 410-777-7310.

Physician Assistant Studies, Professional Certification

Prepares the primary care physician assistant (PA) student to provide quality medical care under the supervision of a licensed physician. Graduates are employed in doctors’ offices, hospitals, clinics, HMOs, nursing homes, the armed forces and other federal government agencies. Graduates are eligible to sit for the national certifying exam for primary care physician assistants conducted by the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).

The physician assistant program is offered as a collaboration between the University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB) Graduate School and Anne Arundel Community College (AACC).

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the University of Maryland Baltimore/Anne Arundel Community College Collaborative Physician Assistant Program sponsored by the University of Maryland Baltimore. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.

Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be September 2029. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.

The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website.

For additional requirements, see the college catalog.

AACC cannot confirm whether the course or program meets requirements for professional licensure in states other than Maryland. If you plan to apply for licensure in a state other than Maryland, contact that state’s licensing board to determine whether the AACC courses or UMB/AACC collaborative PA program meets requirements for licensure in that state. If you need assistance finding contact information for your state, or if you need information regarding professional licensure, contact the PA program office at 410-777-1888.

Nursing, A.S.

For students who wish to complete formal education with an Associate of Science degree. Graduates of the Nursing (RN) program are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Inc. (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326 (404-975-5000) and approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing.

Nursing Boards by State

AACC cannot confirm whether these courses or programs meet requirements for professional licensure in states other than Maryland. If you plan to apply for licensure in a state other than Maryland, contact that state’s licensing board to determine whether the AACC courses or programs meet requirements for licensure in that state. If you need help finding contact information for your state, or if you need information regarding professional licensure, contact the School of Health Sciences at 410-777-7310.

Practical Nursing, Certificate

For students who wish to complete formal education with a certificate. Graduates of the Practical Nursing (PN) program are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). The Practical Nursing program is approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing.

Nursing Boards by State

AACC cannot confirm whether these courses or programs meet requirements for professional licensure in states other than Maryland. If you plan to apply for licensure in a state other than Maryland, contact that state’s licensing board to determine whether the AACC courses or programs meet requirements for licensure in that state. If you need help finding contact information for your state, or if you need information regarding professional licensure, contact the School of Health Sciences at 410-777-7310.