Professional Licensure Disclosure

 

State Authorization

Navajo Technical University (NTU) is a member of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA), which allows it to offer online and distance education to students in other participating SARA states and territories. Degree programs at Navajo Technical University (NTU) that are intended to result in professional licensure and certification are designed to meet the educational requirements for the state of New Mexico.

Per the U.S. Department of Education regulation 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v) we are obligated to disclose whether or not NTU's programs will meet the educational requirements for professional licensure or certification in any of the US states or territories. The information below reflects, to the best of our knowledge, accurate information about each of our licensing programs.

The curricula for programs leading to licensure at NTU are designed to meet the licensure/certification requirements in the state of New Mexico and to prepare students to apply for licensure examinations and/or certification. Each state and territory may have different professional licensure and certification requirements. Examples of other licensure requirements include professional examinations, background checks, years of work experience, fingerprinting, etc. Students who intend to return or move to any state other than New Mexico need to review the professional licensure disclosures pertaining to their program and consult with the state professional licensing board. The state professional licensing boards make the ultimate decision as to whether or not an individual will be eligible to sit for licensure based on the rules and regulations in place at the time the individual submits their application for licensure.

 

Location

Per 34 CFR 668.43(c)(3)(ii), institutions must provide the Department of Education with the institutional determination of where the student is located upon request. To achieve this an institution must establish policies or procedures to consistently determine where students are located. Institutions must determine where a student is located both at the time of enrollment in an institution and after receiving information provided by the student indicating that the student's location has changed.

NTU collects location information from students as part of the registration process wherein students are asked to provide State ID, Driver’s License, or notarize document. This information is collected every semester.

 

Relocation

Relocating during the course of a program to another state may impact if the student can remain in the program, meet the state licensure requirements and/or continue to receive financial aid funding. Prior to considering relocation, please contact your program advisor to discuss authorization and licensure eligibility requirements.

 

International Students

Prior to enrolling in any program at NTU, prospective students living and/or working outside of the United States should confirm with the appropriate certifying agency whether successful completion of any degree program at NTU will meet the credentialing requirements of the country or state in which they intend to seek employment, as to certain types of employment or for advanced/specialized educational programs.

 

Responsibility of Students

Students should review the specific academic requirements for the program in which they are enrolling, including those related to practicum/internship as well as pre-qualifications for licensure such as the need for a criminal background check. We highly recommend that students contact the applicable licensure board(s) in their state of residence or in the state where they intend to obtain a license before beginning an academic program that results in licensure and prior to beginning any internship/practicum. Many licensure boards require more than successful degree completion to obtain a license. Please be advised that state laws, regulations, and policies may change at any time. Changes in requirements can impact the program's ability to meet educational requirements for licensure. It is the responsibility of the student completing the licensure program to check with the licensing board(s) in their state of residence or in the state in which they intend to obtain a license for the most recent information and requirements. NTU shall not be held liable if the student is unable to qualify for licensure or certification in any jurisdiction or cannot obtain a practicum/internship location.

 

TYPE OF LICENSURE DISCLOSURES

In July of 2020, NC-SARA added a professional licensure disclosure to its expectations. Navajo Technical University agrees to provide notifications to students related to professional licensure. 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 is located. Visit the NC-SARA Professional Licensure Directory.

In addition to the general disclosures 34 CFR §668.43 requires an institution to provide a direct disclosure to enrolled and prospective students in writing if the program potentially leading to professional licensure either:

1. does not meet the state educational requirements, or
2. the institution has not made a determination for the state in which the student is located.

Prospective Students: If Navajo Technical University determines that the curriculum does not meet state educational requirements where the prospective student is located or there is no determination a notice to that effect must go to the student for the state where they are located prior to enrollment in the program and financial commitment.

Enrolled Students: If Navajo Technical University determines if the curriculum not meet state educational requirements for the location where the student is currently enrolled in the program a notice to that effect must go to the student. The notice must be provided within 14 calendar days of the institution making that determination. An individualized disclosure must be sent to the student upon formal notice of relocation as specified in the institution’s policy on student relocation if a student relocates to a state where the program does not meet the educational requirements for licensure, or the institution has not made a determination.

In addition to meeting the USDOE requirements, NC-SARA requires institutions to do the following:

1. Provide students or applicants with current contact information for licensing boards in the event the institution is unable, after making all reasonable efforts, to determine whether a program will meet state licensure requirements.
2. Advise the student or applicant to determine whether the program meets licensure requirements in the state in which the student is located.

NC-SARA has worked with the State Portal Entities and regional compacts to create the Professional Licensure Directory. The Directory provides contact information for some programs that lead to a professional license. This resource does not include regulations or requirements. It includes general contact information for licensing boards, but may be a good resource to start from: https://nc-sara.org/other-licensure-and-accrediting-agencies.

34 CFR 668.43(a)(5)(v)- General Disclosures

Per 34 CFR 668.43(a)(5)(v), an institution must provide disclosures if:
a program is "designed" to meet the educational requirements for a specific professional license or certification required for an occupation; or advertised as being a program that meets professional licensure educational requirements in a state for that specific occupation.

34 CFR 668.43(c) Direct Disclosures

Prior to enrollment, direct disclosure is made if the program (whether hybrid, face-to-face or online) does not meet OR the institution has not made a determination whether the program meets education requirements. The regulations state that "regarding the timing of these disclosures, the Department expects that the institution will provide this disclosure before a student signs an enrollment agreement, or in the event that an institution does not provide an enrollment agreement, before the student makes a financial commitment to the institution.

If the student is enrolled in a program and the institution makes a determination that the program does not meet educational requirements in the state where the student is located, the institution has 14 calendar days to notify the student. (3)(i) Disclosures under paragraphs, (c)(1) and (2) ... must be made directly to the student in writing, which may include through email or other electronic communications.

If the student is enrolled in a program and the institution makes a determination that the program does not meet educational requirements in the state where the student is located, the institution has 14 calendar days to notify the student. (3)(i) Disclosures under paragraphs, (c)(1) and (2) ... must be made directly to the student in writing, which may include through email or other electronic communications.

34 CFR 600.9(c) Direct Disclosures- College Processes

Upon request, the institution must document to the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) the disclosure process used by the institution to determine the licensure and certification programs and the process for identifying student location. This requires an institution to develop a process for creating, maintaining and reporting on the disclosure of licensure and certification. This requires regular review of licensure and certification information as well as updating information on the website.

 

NC-SARA Regulations Regarding

 

Professional Licensure Disclosures

Rule 5.2- Programs Leading to Professional Licensure

SARA has no effect on state professional licensing requirements. Any institution operating under SARA that offers courses or programs potentially leading to professional licensure must keep all students, applicants and potential students who have contacted the institution about the course or program informed as to whether such offerings actually meet state licensing requirements. For purposes of SARA, this must be done in one of two ways:

a. The institution may determine whether the course or program meets the requirements for professional licensure in the state where the applicant or student resides and provide that information in writing to the student, or

b. After making all reasonable efforts to make such a determination, if unsuccessful, the institution may notify the applicant or student in writing that the institution cannot confirm whether the course or program meets requirements for professional licensure in the student’s state, provide the student with current contact information for any applicable licensing boards, and advise the student to determine whether the program meets requirements for licensure in the state where the student is located.

Rule 10 of the NC-SARA Institutional Application

Agree to notify in writing all students in a course or program that customarily leads to professional licensure, or which a student could reasonably believe leads to such licensure, whether or not the course or the program meets requirements for licensure in the state where the student is located. After making all reasonable efforts to make such a determination, the institution may notify the applicant or student in writing that the Institution cannot confirm whether the course or program meets educational requirements for professional licensure in the student's State, provide the student with current contact information for any applicable licensing boards, and advise the student to determine whether the program meets educational requirements for licensure in the State where the student lives. An email dedicated solely to this purpose and sent to the student's best known email address meets this requirement. The Institution should use other additional means to notify the student, if needed.

SARA Manual, Section 5.1(a)

“SARA applies solely to postsecondary Distance Education activity conducted across state lines. It does not apply to Distance Education activity inside the SARA-participating Institution's Home State or to on-ground campuses. For purposes of SARA, “distance education” includes limited activities conducted for short periods on the ground (see sub-sections 5.3, 5.4 and 5.6). SARA does not affect the applicability of general-purpose State laws such as business registries, general-purpose consumer protection laws, worker's compensation laws, criminal statues and the like. Institutional participation in SARA does not excuse or exempt Institutions that participate in federally funded programs from compliance with the federal rules applicable to such programs. Such programs include, but are not limited to, federal Title IV student assistance programs and military tuition assistance programs.

 

NTU Programs

• Counseling - The Associate Degree Counseling students are eligible to apply for the Licensed Substance Abuse Associate (LSAA) Licensure in New Mexico only. More information can be found here: http://www.rld.state.nm.us/boards/Counseling_and_Therapy_Practice_Forms_and_Applications.aspx

Program Advisors & Licensure Information:
Dr. Dianna Dekelaita-Mullet, Assistant Professor of Psychology
Email: dmullet@navajotech.edu
Phone: (505) 387-7452

Nancy Goodwin, Assistant Professor of Psychology
Email: nancy.goodwin@navajotech.edu

 

• Culinary - American Culinary Federation (ACF) accredits our Culinary and Professional Baking programs that satisfy the educational requirements in any state. Students graduating from the programs become a Certified Culinarian ACF (CC) or a Certified Pastry Culinarian (CPC). The top students are eligible to take the Practical and Written exams through the ACF for CSC (Certified Sous Chef) and for Baking the CWPC (Certified Working Pastry Chef).

Program Advisor & Licensure Information:
Robert Witte, Master Technical Instructor / Culinary Arts, Hospitality, and Food Services Coordinator
Email: rwitte@navajotech.edu
Phone: 505.387.7384

 

• Early Childhood - Students completing the Early Childhood and Multicultural Education program meet the educational requirement for licensure in the state of New Mexico and Arizona only. The students wanting to be licensed in a different state will need to contact the state board for licensure requirements. For qualification for NM & AZ please visit: https://www.ets.org/praxis/nm/requirements/.

Program Advisor & Licensure Information:

Kelly Dineyazhe-Hunter Assistant Professor, Early Childhood Education
Email: k.hunter@navajotech.edu
Phone: 505.387.7388

ETX - PRAXIS Contact

 

• Nursing Certificate - The Nursing certificate training program has been evaluated and is approved. The training program meets the minimum federal and state requirements (Code of Federal Regulations CFR483.75 – CFR483.160., Upon completion of the program, students have the option to take the state certification examination, please see the nursing advisor for preparation.

Program Advisors & Licensure Information:
Michelle Kahn-John (Diné), PhD, PMHNP-BC, AGNP
Nursing Program Director
Navajo Technical University
Email: mkjohn@navajotech.edu
Phone: 505-387-7382(1026)

 

• Pre-Associate of Applied Science in Nursing - The Nursing certificate training program has been evaluated and is approved. The training program meets the minimum federal and state requirements (Code of Federal Regulations CFR483.75 – CFR483.160. The effective date for approval is November 19, 20219. The training code assigned to this training program is T0101, Advance public Health Performance (PHAB), https://phaboard.org/.

Program Advisors & Licensure Information:
Michelle Kahn-John (Diné), PhD, PMHNP-BC, AGNP
Nursing Program Director
Navajo Technical University
Email: mkjohn@navajotech.edu
Phone: 505-387-7382(1026)

 

• Veterinary Technician - NTU's Veterinary Technology program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). The AVMA accreditation enables the NTU Veterinary Technician graduates to qualify for the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). The AAVSB owns and administers the VTNE, but we do not credential veterinary technicians. For specific credential information, contact your state or provincial agency.

Program Advisor & Licensure Information:
Dr. Germaine Daye
Director of Veterinary Teaching HospitalFax: 505.786.4178
Email: gdaye@navajotech.edu

AVMA Contact:
Website: https://www.avma.org/
Phone: 800-248-2862
Fax: 847-925-1329

 

• Welding - Navajo Technical University’s Welding curriculum meets the American Welding Society certification (AWS). A graduate from the program is eligible for certification in any state. For further information, students will need to contact the instructor for exam schedule or the organization at: https://www.aws.org/certification/professionalcertifications

 

Program Advisor
Christopher Storer, Technical Trades Instructor
Email: cstorer@navajotech.edu
Phone: 505.786.4141

American Welding Society Contact:
Website: https://www.aws.org/
Phone: Certification − 800-443-9353

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The Program Advisors, Registrar, Dean of Graduate Studies, and the Director of E-Learning will meet to address the Professional Licensure requirement monthly. This group will address each program to ensure the state-by-state listing is added and research for the upcoming academic year 2022-2023. The Dean of Graduate Studies will oversee this endeavor to help guide and address this Licensure requirement. In the upcoming academic year, we will make this a priority. This past year, was very difficult because Navajo Nation was shut down with limited gatherings because of the pandemic. Nonetheless, we are working diligently to ensure we support our online students with meaningful information and communication.

Some helpful resources and a really great FAQ document that covers some of the professional licensure disclosure information can be found on a page of the NC-SARA website linked below.

https://www.nc-sara.org/professional-licensure-directory