Licensure board adopts policy tightening evaluation of foreign degrees and post-degree experience

The licensure board voted to adopt a written policy clarifying how it will evaluate foreign degrees and the role of post-degree U.S. experience in Connecticut licensure decisions. The board’s chair led the discussion, and after members debated flexibility and evidence requirements the motion to adopt the policy carried by voice vote.

The policy formalizes the use of an NCS (credential evaluation) report as part of applicant review and affirms that the board can require additional experience where foreign degrees are not deemed equivalent. Committee members emphasized the board intends to retain discretion rather than seeking a statutory change that could constrain future decisions.

"We should ask for an NCS evaluation for consideration of their educational qualifications," a committee member said during the discussion, and other members agreed the policy provided useful guidance when foreign evaluations show deficiencies such as missing math or science credits. The chair noted the board applied the draft policy during several reviews earlier in the meeting and found it workable for cases where an applicant is short by a small number of credits.

Board members described the policy as a procedural tool to ensure consistency while preserving the board’s ability to consider transcripts and related documentation. The motion to accept the policy was made, seconded, and approved with members responding 'aye.'

Next steps: the board will implement the policy in future application evaluations and monitor for any shortfalls that may prompt revisions. No immediate statutory changes were pursued; several members said adding degree requirements to statute could reduce the board’s flexibility.