Our Methodology

Data Sources

All information in our guides comes from official sources:

• State licensing board websites
• Official fee schedules and application forms
• State statutes and administrative rules
• Official compact organization websites

We never rely on secondary sources or other aggregator websites. Every fact is traced back to its official origin.

Verification Process

Our verification process includes multiple steps:

1. Initial Research — We review official state board websites, fee schedules, and licensing requirements.
2. Cross-Reference — Key data points (fees, requirements) are cross-referenced against multiple official pages when available.
3. Source Documentation — Every fact is linked to its official source URL for user verification.
4. Timestamp Recording — We record the verification date for every page.

Ongoing Monitoring

Licensing requirements change frequently. We maintain freshness through:

• Automated Monitoring — We use change detection tools to monitor official state board pages for updates.
• Google Alerts — We track news and announcements about licensing changes across all states.
• Quarterly Audits — We manually review a rotating set of states every quarter.
• Annual Full Review — Every January, we verify all 50 states for each profession.

Update Timeline

Change Type	Update Target
Fee changes	Within 48 hours
Requirement changes	Within 48 hours
Compact membership changes	Within 24 hours
Minor corrections	Within 48 hours

Error Reporting

We take accuracy seriously. If you find an error in our data:

1. Use the "Report an error" link on any page
2. Include the specific information that's incorrect
3. Link to the official source showing the correct information

We investigate all error reports and publish corrections within 48 hours when errors are confirmed.

Limitations

While we strive for accuracy, please note:

• Licensing requirements change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing board before making decisions.
• Processing times are estimates based on typical cases. Your experience may vary based on application completeness and other factors.
• Our guides cover standard licensing paths. Specialized circumstances (international education, prior discipline, etc.) may have different requirements.

Contact

Questions about our methodology? Email data@thelicenseguide.com