State boards decide.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Many occupations need a licence issued by each state: nursing, teaching, law, medicine, engineering, cosmetology, electricians, plumbers and more. A licence from one state is not automatically valid in another, though interstate compacts exist for some professions (for example nursing). Foreign degrees are usually evaluated by a credential evaluation service or the state board before a licence is issued.
Find the board for your occupation in each state through CareerOneStop: License Finder. We do not yet show licensing data by state (planned). General information, not legal advice.
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