The Bookmark: Your Licensure Research Library

Licensure research is time-consuming and complicated. It’s hard to know where to start, how to interpret requirements, and how to stay on top of changes. It is also expensive, with some institutions estimating a cost of $22,000 per license type for the initial research and $11,000 per license type for an annual review/update.

The solution: The Bookmark.

Already have a membership for The Bookmark?

Discover how The Bookmark can streamline your licensure research process.

The Bookmark is a convenient database with easily-accessible information for the most common license types that your institution – and your students - need to understand.

The Bookmark is created by HELP through:

  • Review and analysis of state statute, regulation, rule, and policy 

  • Assessment of information on board/agency website and license application materials

  • Communication with state board or agency to clarify requirements (when needed)

The Bookmark includes information for all components of educational requirements for licensure, including: 

  • degree type

  • specialized accreditation

  • specific courses

  • exams

  • any additional educational requirements

Available License Types

The Bookmark includes over 75 license types, with more coming soon.

Key features of The Bookmark

  • Information can be downloaded by subscribers in .csv and .pdf formats for documentation purposes and internal use.

  • All information is updated on an annual basis, or as soon as HELP learns of a change in state/territory requirements. 

  • All users will receive an email whenever information is updated in The Bookmark. Users can opt out.

  • Changes and updates are also tracked in a history log for every state/territory for each license type.

Register for an Upcoming Information Session

During these sessions, HELP experts will guide you through this new innovative tool. The information in The Bookmark provides guidance to colleges and universities to enable them to comply with licensure disclosure requirements and provide excellent student support. 

What Users Are Saying:

“I cannot say enough great things about The Bookmark and its usefulness to me and our institution. The major benefit is that The Bookmark is a huge time saver! No more having to spend hours searching for board information and educational requirements in each state. I use it to run reports for our academic programs that lead to licensure to ensure that our curriculum is in compliance with the educational requirements of state licensure boards. Beyond the membership providing such a great and reliable database for professional licensure, the support offered by Kris and Nan is wonderful. Any questions that I’ve sent to Kris have been promptly responded to. He provides such in depth responses and is always willing to dig deeper if necessary. You definitely get your money’s worth!”
“The Bookmark is a great and much needed resource. Having a central source for access to licensure requirements is very helpful.”
“The Bookmark is useful when initially researching licensure or refreshing existing licensure research, and keeping on top of updates to regulations. It is extremely helpful because it provides updated information all in one place.”
“Institutions are always looking for more help with licensure. Overall, I find The Bookmark clear, easy to navigate, and a great tool!”

Preview The Bookmark

The Bookmark Membership Levels

BASIC

$6,000/year

  • Access to all license types
  • 1-2 users

BASIC PLUS

$8,000/year

  • Access to all license types
  • 1-2 users
  • Access to exclusive webinars, templates, & other resources

STANDARD

$13,000/year

  • Access to all license types
  • 5 users
  • Access to exclusive webinars, templates, & other resources

ENTERPRISE

from $25,000/year

  • Access to all license types
  • 10 users*
  • Access to exclusive webinars, templates, & other resources
  • One personalized demonstration with disclosures overview & tips to maximize your membership

*Additional users available at $2,500 each

Multi-year discounts are available.

Contact us for more information or to become a member of The Bookmark:

Frequently Asked Questions

  • While this information is available through public sources – state statutes, regulations, rules, policies, Board websites, application materials, and other third-party sources (such as associations of licensing boards)-- there is no place where all of this information is compiled for institutions to review and compare their programs.

    Some professional associations, councils of licensing boards, federal agencies, or other groups have compiled certain information about licensure, however, these sources do not include all of the educational requirements for licensure for all 59 U.S. states and territories that institutions need to know.

  • Faculty and university/college staff are familiar with researching licensure requirements, however, few have engaged in this work for all U.S. states and territories across multiple professions. There is a level of expertise required to find and interpret all parts of the requirements.

  • Many people agree that the current U.S. Department of Education (ED) regulation was drafted without full understanding of how much work it takes to research and understand all educational licensure requirements across all U.S. states and territories. The hours and costs to institutions were grossly underestimated. Nonetheless, this is current law and institutions must comply or face the possibility of losing access for their students to participate in the Title IV federal financial aid program.

    In addition, ED is expected to release changes to the certification procedures for Title IV program participation in 2023. Language proposed by ED during negotiated rulemaking in 2022 included a requirement that institutions “ensure” their programs meet all educational requirements for licensure and enhances the disclosure requirements.

  • Step 1: Email us at thebookmark@higheredlicensurepros.com

    Step 2: We will send User Agreement and answer any questions

    Step 3: You return:

    • Signed User Agreement

    • Payment for annual membership fee (credit card, ACH, or check)

    • List including each user’s name, role at institution/organization, and email address

    Each user will receive welcome email with unique login credentials

    Step 4: Start accessing The Bookmark!

  • All levels of membership include access to all license types in The Bookmark (over 50 available now with additional types added over time). Each license type includes information about educational and other requirements for licensure; degree type, specialized accreditation, specific courses, exams, any additional training or experience. Additionally, The Bookmark contains guidance for institutions to know if a detailed coursework or curriculum comparison is required for that state/territory in order to determine if a program “meets” or “does not meet” licensure requirements.

  • Over 50 license types are available now, with more being added! Everything from P-12 Teacher, Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Licensed Professional Counselor, Occupational Therapist, Certified Public Accountant, Psychologist, and more.

  • The Bookmark is an amazing resource for any staff focused on this work. The Bookmark provides the educational requirements for many different license types across all U.S. states/territories. Someone at the institution needs to review this information and compare it to each licensure-related program. This can take a substantial amount of work–if it is a state that requires detailed coursework comparison in order to determine “meets” or “does not meet”. Additionally, each institution must have a process for creating and maintaining the public and direct disclosures that are required under federal law. Creating a complete process, coordinating with various departments from IT, admissions, faculty, and others, all takes time and effort. Any institution would be wise to consider having a role or large portion of a role, dedicated to this work.

  • In addition to fulfilling the licensure research need for Title IV and SARA disclosure compliance, The Bookmark is a useful tool for academic and student advisors, supporting students and graduates on a smoother pathway to licensure and employment in the field, new program development (or retirement), new location-based marketing opportunities, and reducing other risks to the institution (Veterans Affairs and Misrepresentation) and students.

Finding the licensure information you need to meet federal and State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) licensure disclosure requirements doesn’t have to be time-consuming, complicated, or expensive.

The Bookmark is the solution to fulfill your compliance needs and support your students.