The Associate of Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene at Luzerne County Community College is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) of the American Dental Association, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education.

Graduates completing the Associate of Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene are eligible to sit for the following exams leading to licensure: the CDCA-WREB-CITA exams (ADEX and CSCE Clinical) and the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE). The NBDHE is accepted in all 50 states, and the CDCA-WREB-CITA exams are accepted for initial licensure in 48 states. Currently, the program does not meet the requirements for the following states:

Delaware and Nebraska

Students interested in practicing outside of Pennsylvania should consult that state's Board of Dentistry or appropriate Professional Licensing Department. Up-to-date information on state licensure/credential requirements can be found on the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) resources page below:

American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) Resources

The Associate of Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services Paramedic Program and the Advanced Life Support Paramedic Program at Luzerne County Community College meet the current guidelines and principles of the National Education Standards, as mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of EMS Services. The Emergency Medical Services Paramedic Program and the Advanced Life Support Paramedic Program are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).

Completion of Luzerne County Community College's programs prepares students to take the national EMT certification exam offered through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). Successful completion of this exam leads to professional licensure in the state of Pennsylvania, which is equivalent to National Registry certification. The National Registry is recognized in every state in the United States, and 46 states use this certification as the basis for licensure. However, because of ever-changing state laws and governance policies, students intending to practice in another state should contact that state's licensing board to determine reciprocity or additional licensing/certification requirements. For more information, visit https://www.nremt.org/resources/state-ems-offices to contact a State Office of EMS.

Program Licensure Disclosure

The Associate of Applied Science in Nursing at Luzerne County Community College is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing, P.O. Box 2649 Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649 (Telephone Phone (717) 783-7142), and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326. Telephone (404) 975-5000.

Students completing Luzerne County Community College's Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Program will complete the NCLEX and can apply for state licensure as a registered nurse (R.N.) in Pennsylvania. While the NCLEX exam is valid in all 50 states, license reciprocity is not automatically granted. Students who pass the NCLEX exam and intend to practice in another state can apply for licensure by contacting that state's Board of Nursing. State licensing requirements and contact information can be found at the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) below.

Requirements and Contact Information

Note that many states have joined the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). On July 1, 2021, Governor Tom Wolf signed SB 115 into law, which will begin the process of adding Pennsylvania to the Nurse License Compact (NLC). The NLC allows registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to have one multistate license, with the ability to practice in person or via telehealth, in both the primary state of residence and other NLC jurisdictions.

Now that the NLC has been enacted, the next step is for the legislation to be implemented. Pennsylvania residents will not be able to apply for a multistate license, and nurses in other NLC states who hold a multistate license will not be able to practice in Pennsylvania, until after the implementation process has been completed. An implementation date will be posted on the Board's website once it is determined.

The Associate of Applied Science degree in Respiratory Therapy at Luzerne County Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). Upon completion of the Respiratory Therapy Program, graduates are eligible to take the Therapist Multiple Choice (TMC) Examination, which is administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). Graduates passing the examination at a score that is called the "Low Cut," earn the national credential of Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT). Pennsylvania currently requires the minimum credential of CRT to be eligible for licensure and the state-required designation of Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP). Graduates passing the examination at a score that is called the "High Cut," earn not only the CRT and RCP credential but also are eligible to take the NBRC Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE). Graduates successfully completing the CSE earn the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) national credential, making them eligible for licensure in all states.

Licensing and practice requirements for Respiratory Therapists vary across individual states. The NBRC cooperates with states that have enacted legislation to regulate the practice of respiratory care. The NBRC has adopted policies that permit the Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination to be administered on behalf of state agencies for legal credentialing. Candidates for state licensure apply according to procedures established by the state; questions concerning legal credentialing should be directed to the responsible state agency. While the NBRC Credentials are national and transfer between all states as long as the graduate remains a member of the NBRC, an applicant's license does not automatically transfer to each state. Students interested in practicing in another state should reference the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) for up-to-date information on individual state licensing requirements. Details on respiratory care practice and state contact information can be found at:

American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC)

Luzerne County Community College (LCCC) Respiratory Therapy program is an associate degree CoARC (Commission on Accreditation of Respiratory Care) accredited college that meets the standards required for licensure in all 49 states where licensure is required. Alaska is the only US state that does not require RTs to be licensed. However, it is necessary to successfully complete a respiratory therapy program at an accredited college/university. Graduates from LCCC Respiratory Therapy program also meet the standards for the state of Alaska's requirement to graduate from an accredited Respiratory Care program in order to practice. Therefore, graduates from Luzerne County Community College are eligible to apply to take the NBRC (National Board of Respiratory Care) board exams in all 50 states which qualifies them to apply for licensure in the 49 states that require them and/or to practice in Alaska.

The Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology at Luzerne County Community College is accredited by The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon recommendation from The Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA). Graduates are eligible to sit for the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) national certification exam to become a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST).

The Certified Surgical Technology (CST) exam is not required in all states. Education, experience, and certification requirements vary, so students interested in practicing outside of Pennsylvania should refer to that state's laws and/or regulatory boards for guidance.

The following states have passed laws related to the education and/or certification required for Surgical Technologists to practice within their state:

Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia

The following states require surgical technologists to register in order to practice within their state:

• Colorado (CST not required for registration)
• North Dakota ("Unlicensed Assistive Person" registry; CST not required for registration)
• Washington (CST not required for registration)

The following states offer optional registration/title protection to practice within their state:

• Arkansas (Must be a CST in order to qualify for registry/title protection)
• Illinois (Must be a CST in order to qualify for registry/title protection)

As certification and licensing requirements are continually changing, students should reference the state law overview listed on the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST) website to obtain up-to-date information:

Association of Surgical Technologists (AST)