Unit 2: Lesson 5: Licensing, Certification, and Continuing Education

Lesson 5: Licensing, Certification, and Continuing Education

Lesson 5: Licensing, Certification, and Continuing Education

Many positions in the health science field require that individuals pass specific competency tests to prove that they have the knowledge needed to do their job successfully. Given the importance of healthcare positions and the responsibilities that individuals hold in these fields, it is not surprising that many of these positions require licenses and certification to practice.

The exact licensing, certification, education, and continuing education requirements differ from position to position and location. For example, dentists must graduate from an accredited dental school and pass written and oral exams to be licensed to practice as dentists. Registered nurses must have an accredited nursing program diploma and pass a national licensing examination. States may also require that RNs engage in continuing education in their chosen areas of specialization to stay current on advancing techniques and equipment.

Those who wish to pursue careers in the health sciences should thoroughly investigate the various requirements for the position they are interested in. In the United States, people pursuing a specific health science profession can research the requirements by contacting an accredited university program, their state or regional Department of Health, or the National Institute of Health.

In this unit, we have learned more about health science careers and shared characteristics among health science professionals. We've learned more about some of the different types of care and jobs within each area. We also discussed some requirements for health science careers, such as education, licensing, and certification.

Think About

1. What are the different levels of service in the healthcare field?
2. What are some of the common characteristics shared by healthcare professionals?
3. Why do many healthcare professions have appearance, uniforms, and hygiene requirements?
4. What are some of the different career options in the health sciences?
5. What are health science careers' licensing, certification, and educational requirements?