Professional organizations, societies, states, and licensing jurisdictions have specific requirements for membership, certification, or licensure. In the states in which Relay is an approved in-state educator preparation provider, Relay works to align Relay’s program(s) offered in the state to the state’s educational requirements for educator certification/licensure. Students should be aware that the professional organizations, societies, states, and licensing jurisdictions are responsible for defining, amending, and executing approval requirements and decisions for membership, certification, or licensure. Relay can provide public-facing information for the professional organizations’, societies’, states’, and licensing jurisdictions’ requirements for membership, certification, or licensure. Relay can provide guidance regarding a state’s licensure requirements for states in which Relay is an approved in-state provider and to the students who seek licensure in the same state. Students intending to seek licensure of any type must take full responsibility for ensuring that their degree program at Relay meets the licensing requirements of their local states, school districts, professional associations, or agencies. 

In compliance with the U.S. Department of Education regulations [§ 668.14(b)(32)(i) and (ii)] effective July 1, 2024, Relay may not be able to provide the certification/licensure MAT and the Advanced Certificate academic offerings to potential applicants residing in states in which Relay is not an approved education preparation provider. U.S. Department of Education regulations [§ 668.14(b)(32)(i) and (ii)] require all programs leading to licensure/certification must meet the licensure/certification requirements in the state the potential applicant resides. Exceptions to these regulations are possible in specific situations. Potential applicants may qualify for an exception to this regulation if 1) the potential applicant resides in a state in which Relay maintains a licensure/certification reciprocity agreement; OR 2) the potential applicant resides in a state where Relay is not an approved education preparation provider but the potential applicant will attest to their plan to work and seek licensure/certification in a state where Relay is an approved education preparation provider; OR 3) the potential applicant resides in a state where Relay is not an approved education preparation provider but the potential applicant will attest to their plan to relocate to, work in, and seek licensure/certification in a state where Relay is an approved education preparation provider. Representatives of Relay’s Admissions team can advise prospective applicants regarding eligibility for exceptions to the regulations. 

In compliance with the U.S. Department of Education regulations [§ 668.43(a)(5)(v) and § 668.43(c)], Relay published determinations about whether its programs meet the educational requirements for educator certification/licensure in each state. These determinations are published on Relay’s Licensure Disclosures webpage.   

Educational requirements include coursework and clinical experiences. Note: while Relay programs may meet state requirements, individual students must also meet state- and program-specific requirements for admission to, and completion of, an educator preparation program, and any other state certification/licensure requirements (e.g., testing, background checks) to be eligible for certification/licensure. Requirements for admission to and completion of each of Relay’s educator preparation programs are detailed in the program’s Transition Points Guide and corresponding EPP Handbook.  

Prospective applicants will receive a direct disclosure (via email) prior to initial enrollment in a Relay program if Relay determined the program does not meet the certification/licensure requirements in the state in which the student resides. Current Relay students will receive an updated direct disclosure (via email) within 14 days of the current student notifying Relay of the current student’s relocation to a state in which Relay determined the program does not meet the licensure/certification requirements in the current student’s updated state of residence.

Questions about Relay’s professional licensure disclosures should be directed to [email protected].