Pursuant to 34 C.F.R. § 600.9, Drake University is required to disclose consumer information regarding our curricular programs that “foreseeably lead” to careers requiring state licensure. This regulation requires us to determine whether our licensure-related programs satisfy the educational requirements for professional licensure in the states where our prospective students are located.
Because licensing requirements differ dramatically by occupational category as well as by state, we encourage prospective students to check their state legislative codes to verify the information presented here. We will strive to update this information on an annual basis by July 1 of each year.
Accounting | Athletic Training | Clinical Psychopharmacology | Counseling | Doctor of Pharmacy | Law | Nursing | Occupational Therapy | Teacher Education
The School of Accounting at Drake University prepares students for careers as accounting professionals and business leaders, as well as further graduate study. Additionally, the School of Accounting assists students in preparing for CPA and other professional certification examinations. This preparation includes exam topic coverage in the classroom, expert accounting faculty advising, and access to a CPA exam review course. Drake accounting students and graduates qualify for discounted tuition for the exam review through Becker CPA Review. While an accounting degree alone will open up numerous opportunities, professional certification is the next step. You can pursue a wide range of accounting-related certifications; however, the most prestigious and recognizable is Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Unlike other certifications, the CPA designation is a license granted by a state board of accountancy. For an overview of the process of becoming a CPA, visit This Way to CPA.
Becoming a licensed CPA requires the completion of three steps: education, examination, and experience, often called the 3 E’s. A CPA applicant must possess a bachelor’s degree with specified coursework in accounting and business. Most states also require 150 credit hours of total coursework before certification. Additionally, an applicant must successfully complete the Uniform CPA Examination. Visit the world's largest member association of the accounting profession, the American Institute for CPAs for information on the CPA examination. The final requirement is obtaining one to two years of relevant work experience. Completion of the education, examination, and experience requirements will allow you to apply for licensure as a CPA. Retaining the designation requires completing a minimum of hours of continuing education and adherence to the profession’s standards of ethical conduct.
Please be aware that licensing requirements differ among the states. It is important to verify the requirements of the state you anticipate seeking licensure in. Many states mandate specific courses. Individual state CPA requirements may be found on the website of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). Additional certification opportunities exist in accounting. These certifications are sponsored by private organizations and are generally more specialized. Similar to becoming a CPA, these other certifications possess education, examination, and experience requirements. The education requirement usually entails the possession of an undergraduate degree, without any specific coursework.
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Determination: For students that complete one hundred fifty semester hours of college education, both the BSBA in Accounting and the MAcc from Drake University meet the requirements to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination in Iowa. Drake's program also meets the respective educational requirements for licensing in Iowa.
For Contact Information Related to Each State: National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) CPA Exam
The Drake University Master of Athletic Training program is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), located at 2001 K Street NW, 3rd Floor North Washington, DC 20006; (512) 733-9700. A required comprehensive accreditation review will be conducted during the 2025-2026 academic year.
To become an Athletic Trainer, candidates must graduate with a degree in Athletic Training from an accredited Athletic Training program and successfully pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam. To practice as an Athletic Trainer in most states, the individual must also be credentialed within that state. Passing the BOC exam is only a precursor to athletic training practice, and earning BOC certification does not guarantee the ability to obtain a license. It is recommended to visit the state regulation page to view laws and contact information for each state and/or contact the BOC for assistance.
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Relevant Exam Pass Rates/Program Outcomes: Program Information and Outcomes
Determination: Drake’s Master of Athletic Training program meets the educational requirements to sit for the BOC exam. Drake's program meets the respective educational requirements for licensing in Iowa.
For Contact Information Related to Each State: NATA Athletic Training State Regulatory Boards
More information: Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer
Drake University Contact: College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | (515) 271-3018 | drakeat@drake.edu
The online Master’s in Clinical Psychopharmacology (MSCP) degree from Drake University gives licensed post-doctoral psychologists the specialized training required to prescribe medication in Iowa and other states (see listing below). This advanced credential can enhance your practice offerings, help you increase access to essential mental health care, and open doors to new professional opportunities.
After completing your MSCP degree, you will meet the requirements to sit for the Psychopharmacology Exam for Psychologists (PEP). With a passing score on the exam and completion of a fellowship where you will gain hands-on experience and supervision from a licensed physician, you will be ready to apply for prescriptive certification.
Drake has received American Psychological Association (APA) Prescriptive Authority Program Designation for the MS in Clinical Psychopharmacology.
For psychologists planning to pursue a certificate of prescriptive authority in a US state, province, or territory that allows for this through their respective scope of practice law, the psychologist must additionally complete a fellowship that is sponsored by Drake University. To apply for the fellowship, the psychologist must:
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Determination: Drake’s Master in Clinical Psychopharmacology program meets the educational requirements to sit for the Psychopharmacology Exam for Psychologists (PEP). Currently, seven states allow psychologists to become prescribing practitioners after receiving training (Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, New Mexico, Utah). Drake's program meets the respective educational requirements for licensing in each of these states. Note: Some states (eg: CO and IL) may require proof of prerequisite, undergraduate biomedical coursework.
For Contact Information Related to Each State: https://www.asppb.net/page/BdContactNewPG
Drake University Contact: Ryan Ernst | ryan.ernst@drake.edu
All Master of Science in Counseling specializations meet the licensing and certification requirements for Iowa:
While many graduates remain in Iowa after graduation, graduates do seek employment in other states and countries. If you wish to practice mental health or school counseling outside of Iowa upon graduation, contact the American Counseling Association or the American School Counseling Association, respectively, to learn about academic requirements in a specific state of interest.
What is the process for becoming licensed or certified in my concentration?
The process varies depending on the specialization.
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Relevant Exam Pass Rates/Program Outcomes: Student Outcome Data
Determination: All Master of Science in Counseling specializations meet the licensing and certification requirements for Iowa.
Drake University Contact: Coordinator of Graduate Admission | 515-271-2552 | soegradadmission@drake.edu
For the Doctor of Pharmacy, the Iowa Board of Pharmacy is responsible for licensing qualified applicants for the practice of pharmacy (Iowa Code chapters 147 and 155A).
State of Iowa Board of Pharmacy Examiners
400 SW Eighth Street, Suite E
Des Moines, IA 50309-4688
(515) 281-5944
Fax (515) 281-4609
The Drake program exceeds the 1500 hours of internship requirements and also meets the program accreditation requirement. Students must graduate from an accredited pharmacy program to sit for the national board exam (NAPLEX).
A Drake graduate does not necessarily need to practice pharmacy in Iowa after taking the state licensing examination. Iowa pharmacy licenses can be transferred to most states through reciprocity, although some states may require you to take all or part of their state licensing examination, in particular the parts that pertain to specific laws within the state.
Check with your state's Board of Pharmacy to find out how your Iowa pharmacy license can transfer.
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Relevant Exam Pass Rates/Program Outcomes: https://www.drake.edu/pharmacy/
Determination: Drake’s Doctor of Pharmacy program meets the educational requirements to sit for the national board exam (NAPLEX). Drake's program meets the respective educational requirements for licensing in Iowa.
More Information: National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) Directory of State Boards of Pharmacy
Drake University Contact: College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences | dupharm@drake.edu
The Drake Law School is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.
Graduates of the JD program have met the educational requirements to qualify for the bar examination in all states. In addition to a bar examination, every jurisdiction establishes character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar.
State requirements are subject to change. Students should confirm current licensing requirements directly with the jurisdiction in which they are interested in licensure.
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Relevant Exam Pass Rates/Program Outcomes: ABA Required Disclosures
Determination: Graduates of the JD program have met the educational requirements to qualify for the bar examination in all states.
More Information: National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE)
The Master of Laws (LLM) degree is ideal for students with a JD or equivalent who seek an advanced curriculum that facilitates their transition to practice or for practitioners who seek to expand their practices into new areas.
For an international student, an LLM attests to the student's knowledge and understanding of American law and culture, as well as to the student's English language proficiency. An international student who wishes to practice in the U.S. and who holds an LLM may, in some states, sit for the state bar exam.
The Master of Laws (LLM) degree is ideal for American students who seek an advanced curriculum that facilitates their transition to practice or for practitioners who seek to expand their practices into new areas.
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Determination: This program does not provide nor lead to licensure.
Drake University Contact: Erin Lain, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs | 515-271-2040 | erin.lain@drake.edu
The Iowa Board of Nursing has approved Drake University's Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) proposal, qualifying graduates to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) required for practice as a registered nurse. The program is in the process of pursuing accreditation through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
The Drake ABSN program is designed to meet the Iowa Nurse Practice Act. The Iowa Board of Nursing (IBON) has approved Drake’s ABSN proposal, qualifying Drake ABSN graduates as eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX), which is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Upon successful completion of the NCLEX and satisfactory background check, the IBON will issue you a license to practice in Iowa, and the title of registered nurse or RN may be used. Iowa is a member of the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) administered by the Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators. The eNLC, allows RN’s to have one multistate license, with the authority to practice in other eNLC member states. As of 07/01/24, 42 states are eNLC members (see: https://nursecompact.com/index.page#map).
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Relevant Exam Pass Rates/Program Outcomes: To be determined – new program.
Determination: Drake’s accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program meets the educational requirements to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Drake's program meets the educational requirements in Iowa and is approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing.
More Information: National Council of State Boards of Nursing
Drake University Contact: College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences | (515) 271-1829 | mary.owens@drake.edu
Note: The Drake ABSN program is in the process of pursuing accreditation through the Accreditation Council for the Education of Nursing (ACEN).
The entry-level occupational therapy doctoral degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure. Students must complete Level II fieldwork and experiential requirements within 24 months following completion of the didactic portion of the program.
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Relevant Exam Pass Rates/Program Outcomes: Program results from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) can be found online.
Determination: Drake’s Occupational Therapy program meets the educational requirements to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Drake's program meets the respective educational requirements for licensing in Iowa.
For Contact Information Related to Each State: Link
Drake University Contact: College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | (515) 271-3018 | drakeot@drake.edu
Drake’s face-to-face teacher education preparation program allows undergraduate (B.S.E. or B.M.E.) and graduate (M.S.T. and M.A.T) students to become licensed teachers in the State of Iowa. The undergraduate curriculum is 120 credits, and the graduate programs are 36 or more credits, depending on students’ academic backgrounds and what they are interested in teaching.
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Determination: The Educator Preparation Program at Drake provides coursework which meets the criteria approved for certification by the State of Iowa Department of Education. Drake's program meets the respective educational requirements for licensing in Iowa.
For Contact Information Related to Each State: Those seeking an education license in another state may review the following document which outlines whether the Iowa License “meets” or “does not meet” that state’s or territory’s provisional license.
The research completed for the Iowa IHE Licensure Reciprocity was completed by colleagues from all Iowa Higher Education Institutions with Educator Preparation Programs. The research was then verified by another colleague from a different institution to serve as a third-party reviewer. Reviews will occur annually in conjunction with the Iowa Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (IACTE) conference each fall after the previous year’s legislative session has closed.
Drake University Contact: Office of the Associate Dean | (515) 271-4602 | catherine.gillespie@drake.edu
Drake’s 100% online Master of Science in Education in Effective Teaching is designed to prepare busy, working educators with leadership abilities both inside and outside of the classroom. The online Master of Science in Education in Effective Teaching consists of 32 credit hours and provides educators with valuable instructional strategies needed to engage learners and become leaders in education. MSE graduates are prepared to rise to the level of teacher leader or master teacher, as well as take on roles as instructional coaches, content area specialists, or curriculum developers.
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Determination: This program does not provide nor lead to a teaching license or certification.
Drake University Contact: School of Education | (515) 271-3726 | soegradadmission@drake.eduu
Iowa Board of Educational Examiners provides information regarding approved endorsements and links to the listing of colleges offering that program. Iowa Board of Educational Examiners provides information regarding approved endorsements and links to the listing of colleges offering that program.
[Iowa Department of Education Endorsements List]
Education endorsement-only programs offer teachers the opportunity to pursue additional State of Iowa teaching endorsements specializing in areas such as ESL, STEM, special education, and reading. Endorsements are offered in both K-8 (elementary) and 5-12 (secondary) teaching levels.
All certification and endorsement programs in the School of Education are approved and accredited by the Iowa Department of Public Instruction, pursuant to Chapter 79, Code of Iowa.
To teach in the state of Iowa, individuals must hold a current teaching license. The license is granted by the state, upon the recommendation of the state-approved institution where the candidate completed an undergraduate or graduate Educator Preparation Program.
The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (BoEE) issues teaching licenses that are valid for specific ages or grades (such as K-6 for elementary teachers and 5-12 for secondary teachers). Endorsements on a teaching license indicate which subject areas a teacher is qualified to teach. Completion of student teaching and required coursework does not guarantee a recommendation for a teaching license.
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Determination: These programs do not provide nor lead to an initial teaching license or certification.
Drake University Contact: School of Education | (515) 271-3726 | soegradadmission@drake.edu
