If you live outside the state of Mississippi and are considering a program that leads to licensure, it is highly recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing board in your home state before beginning an academic program at Pearl River Community College.
Licensure requirements for the program you are considering can be found here.
Pearl River Community College values high quality in the delivery of academic and administrative services to all students. Your current student record shows a permanent residence outside of Mississippi, plus enrollment in a program which may lead to license eligibility. Certificates and credentials are often helpful when seeking employment, but are not required. Licensure programs require passing a state or national licensure exam to work in the field.
Requirements for licensure vary from one profession to another and from state to state. If you live outside the state of Mississippi and are enrolled in a program that leads to licensure, contact the appropriate licensing board in your home state to ensure that PRCC’s program meets your desired employability needs.
In addition, review the information below to see if your program of study leads to a license. Pearl River Community College is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements and eligible to serve students in other states within the NC-SARA agreement.
Licensure Programs
Successful completion of the PRCC programs listed below enables the student to take related state licensure exams or national certification exams.
Obtaining a state and/or national license is often required to work in these professions. Please communicate with your instructor(s) or program director for more information.
Program | Link | PRCC Website Disclaimers |
Associate Degree Nursing | https://prcc.edu/academics/health-sciences-nursing/associate-degree-nursing/ | A graduate of the ADN program is conferred the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree and is eligible to write for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to become a registered nurse. |
Barbering | https://prcc.edu/academics/career-technical-education/hospitality-human-services/barbering/ | Graduates will be qualified to take the State Barber Board Certification Examination to become a licensed barber in the state of Mississippi. |
Cosmetology | https://prcc.edu/academics/career-technical-education/hospitality-human-services/cosmetology/ | Upon satisfactory completion of the program of study, a student will be eligible to request examination by the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology to become a licensed cosmetologist in the state of Mississippi. |
Court Reporting | The National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) offers certification for realtime reporters who use the steno machine. The entry-level examination is the Registered Professional Examination (RPR). Candidates must attain a score of 70 or greater on the Written Knowledge Test designed to test their knowledge of reporting the verbatim record, transcript production including vocabulary and punctuation, medical terminology, technology, procedures, professional responsibilities, and ethics. Candidates must pass the Skills Test consisting of the dictation and transcription of three five-minute test segments with accuracy of 95 percent on each. The segments consist of a 180 word-per-minute literary, a 200 word- per-minute jury charge, and a 225 word-per-minute two-voice question and answer. | |
Dental Assisting | https://prcc.edu/academics/health-sciences-nursing/dental-assisting/ | The Dental Assistant Program is a 12- month course of study, beginning in the Fall and ends in the Summer. There are two degree options: Technical Degree or Associate of Applied Science. Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) exam will be taken in 3 parts: Infection Control, Radiology and General Chairside. |
Dental Hygiene Technology | https://prcc.edu/academics/health-sciences-nursing/dental-hygiene-technology/ | All states require licensure to practice this profession. A license is issued by the State Board of Dental Examiners after successful completion of both clinical and written examination. The National Board of Dental Hygiene Examination must also be passed to qualify for licensure. |
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technology | https://prcc.edu/academics/health-sciences-nursing/diagnostic-medical-sonography/ | There are currently 4 U.S. States that require a license to practice Diagnostic Medical Sonography: New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Oregon. There is no national license recognized upon completion of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technology Program, in which students have the opportunity to earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree. |
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) | https://prcc.edu/workforce-training/emergency-medical-technician-emt/ | A student successfully completing the program will receive an associate degree and be eligible to take National Registry’s Exam as an EMT-Paramedic. |
Massage Therapy | https://prcc.edu/academics/health-sciences-nursing/massage-therapy-technology/ | Upon successful completion of the Massage Therapy Program the graduate will be eligible to take the MBLEx (licensure exam) to become a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) in the State of Mississippi. |
Practical Nursing | https://prcc.edu/academics/health-sciences-nursing/practical-nursing/ | Upon successful completion of the Practical Nursing Program the graduate will be eligible to take the NCLEX-PN (licensure exam) to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). |
Physical Therapist Assistant Technology | https://prcc.edu/academics/health-sciences-nursing/radiologic-technology/ | Upon satisfactory completion of the Radiologic Technology program, students earn the Associate in Applied Science degree and are eligible to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) exam and become a Registered Technologist in Radiography. Graduates must also apply for a current state license to practice radiography in the state in which they are employed. |
Respiratory Care Technology | https://prcc.edu/academics/health-sciences-nursing/respiratory-care-technology/ | Upon completion of the Respiratory Care program, students are awarded an Associate of Applied Science degree and are eligible to take the NBRC (National Board for Respiratory Care) TMC Exam. Graduates who successfully pass the TMC Exam are eligible for the NBRC Clinical Simulation Exam. Graduates from our program are Nationally credentialed and can work in any state. |
Surgical Technology | https://prcc.edu/academics/health-sciences-nursing/surgical-technology/ | Prior to completion of the program, 100% of program students are required to sit for the National Certification Exam for Surgical Technologists Administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) as part of the graduation requirements. |
Unmanned Aerial Systems Technology | https://prcc.edu/academics/career-technical-education/stem/unmanned-aerial-systems-technology/ | During the program of study, students may earn a Certified FAA Part 107 UAS Commercial Remote Pilots License. |
Mississippi Community College Board (MCCB)
Per federal regulation 34 CFR 668.43(a)(5)(v) institutions are required to publicly disclose whether programs that are designed to lead to professional licensure or certification meet the educational requirements of all U.S. states and territories. Mississippi’s community colleges offer several programs leading to professional licensure and agreed to collaborate, where applicable, to reduce duplication of effort and to ensure system-wide compliance with federal laws, regulations, and the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement. Through reasonable and good faith effort, research has been done to determine whether or not each program meets licensure requirements, does not meet licensure requirements, or has not yet been determined for each state. Licensure and certification requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with Mississippi’s community colleges. These requirements, state laws, regulations, and policies can change at any time. If a program does not meet requirements or is undetermined, students should contact the Board in each state for more information.
National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA)
Contact information:
Katherine Griggs, Institutional Effectiveness Coordinator
Phone: 601-403-1317 | Email: kgriggs@prcc.edu
Dr. Jennifer Seal, Vice President for Planning and Institutional Research
Phone: 601-403-1146 | Email: jseal@prcc.edu
For more information regarding state licensure decisions, please email stateauthorization@prcc.edu.
