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08-011 Professional Licensure Disclosure Policy

Last Update: January 23, 2026

Approved: January 19, 2026 by President Zvi Szafran

Policy Contact: Provost/VP for Academic Affairs

Supersedes:


I. SCOPE

This policy addresses the process for creating, maintaining, and reporting mandated professional licensure disclosures per the July 1, 2024, federal regulation amendments (See Section VIII).

This policy applies to all SUNY Canton academic programs requiring professional licensure or certification. The modality of instruction does not impact this policy.

This policy impacts all students who begin enrollment in an academic program that leads to professional licensure or certification.

II. POLICY STATEMENT

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that SUNY Canton complies with federal regulations regarding educational requirements for programs leading to professional licensure or certification.

The intention of the federal regulation is to protect students, particularly those receiving distance education, from undertaking the financial commitment of higher education without knowledge that their efforts will pay off in their intended licensed career paths in their designated U.S. State.

III. POLICY

In accordance with federal law, SUNY Canton will provide general and direct disclosures to students and the public related to professional licensure and, if requested, documentation (college processes) to the U.S. Department of Education on its disclosure process.

The model language developed by SUNY General Counsel will be used in our general (public) and direct disclosures1. Any changes to the model language require consultation with campus counsel2.

IV. DEFINITIONS

Licensure Program: Program in a professional licensure field as outlined by NYSED. SUNY Canton’s licensure programs include:

General Disclosure: Refers to publicly posting information that provides state-by-state determinations of whether a program fulfills educational requirements for licensure or certification.

Direct Disclosure: Refers to direct communication with prospective and enrolled students:

  • Prospective students will be informed before enrolling in a program whether it meets state educational requirements for licensure.
  • Enrolled students will be informed if the program no longer meets state educational requirements for licensure within 14 calendar days of the College making that determination.

Students will receive direct disclosures before making a financial commitment to SUNY Canton.  SUNY Canton defines financial commitment as occurring when the student completes the billing survey, states that they understand they are responsible for any charges, and receives their bill.3

Direct Disclosures – College Processes: Refers to the federal regulation 34 CFR 600.9(c), which states that upon request, colleges (SUNY Canton) must document to the U.S. Department of Education the disclosure process used by SUNY Canton to determine the licensure.

Initial Enrollment: Defined by the U.S. Department of Education as the first term a student is enrolled in the academic program that leads to professional licensure.4 SUNY Canton further defines initial enrollment as the first day of class of the student’s first term (See Student Location Policy).

V. OTHER RELATED INFORMATION

Mandated Professional Licensure Disclosure webpage

Student Location Policy

VI. PROCEDURES

  1. In accordance with general (public) disclosure guidelines, SUNY Canton's Mandated Professional Licensure webpage will inform prospective students about licensure disclosures before they consider an academic program at SUNY Canton.
    1. Each academic program leading to professional licensure must indicate on the webpage whether it “meets” or “does not meet” licensure or certification requirements in other states.5 It is not permissible to say, “has not been determined.”6 To accomplish this, each academic program will complete the Reasonable Effort Template (internal, SUNY Canton template).
    2. Department chairs/directors of each licensure program will review templates each year before the start of the academic year. Reviews will be date-stamped for documentation purposes.

    3. SUNY Canton will encourage current students to contact their academic advisor and prospective students to contact the appropriate program director with disclosure questions. The Advising Center and Registrar's Office will also serve as helpful resources on disclosures.

  2. In accordance with direct disclosure guidelines, all students who enroll in a SUNY Canton program that leads to licensure must affirm that they are fully informed about how the College's professional licensure and certification programs align with a state's or territory's educational standards. Students affirm this understanding by completing an attestation form.

    1. The Office of Admissions will send a general email on the attestation form to all prospective students, regardless of their major.
    2. Once a student submits their application to SUNY Canton and chooses a licensure program, the Office of Admissions will send a follow-up email to the student explaining the form in more detail. The form can also be submitted via the Mandated Professional Licensure Disclosure webpage
      1. Students who complete the attestation form will be registered for semester courses.
      2. Students who do not complete the attestation form receive a hold on their account and cannot register for classes until they satisfy the hold by submitting the attestation form.
  3. In accordance with direct disclosure-college processes, this policy will serve as documentation of SUNY Canton’s process for meeting federal law regarding professional licensures.

VII. FORMS

Reasonable Effort Template for Academic Licensure Programs to complete

Attestation Form for students to complete.

VIII. AUTHORITY

Federal law 34 CFR 668.43(a)(5)(v) and 34 CFR 668.43(c) and 34 CFR 668.43(a)(5)(v) 

IX. HISTORY

Federal regulations on professional licensure disclosures were first enacted on July 1, 2020.

X. APPENDICES

Reasonable Effort Template

XI. FREQUENCY OF REVIEW AND UPDATE

Disclosures will be reviewed and updated on an annual basis, or sooner if the curriculum of the registered academic program changes and/or if SUNY Canton is made aware of a change in educational requirements for licensure of a U.S. State.

Footnotes:

1 SUNY Memorandum, May 13, 2024, Professional Licensure Disclosures: Federal Regulation Amendment Effective July 1, 2024; Model Language.

2 Communication, Academic Programs Data Specialist, SUNY, Office of the Provost, August 14, 2024.

3 Communication, SUNY Canton Financial Aid Office, August 6, 2024.

4 SUNY Memorandum May 13, 2024, Professional Licensure Disclosures: Federal Regulation Amendment Effective July 1, 2024; Question and Answer.

5 SUNY Memorandum May 13, 2024, Professional Licensure Disclosures: Federal Regulation Amendment Effective July 1, 2024; Question and Answer.

6 SUNY Memorandum May 13, 2024, Professional Licensure Disclosures: Federal Regulation Amendment Effective July 1, 2024.