Legal
Certification Disclaimer
Effective date: June 2026 · SecureServe Academy™
Important Notice
SecureServe Academy™ is a private professional education institution. It is not a state licensing board, regulatory agency, government body, or accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Completion of a SecureServe Academy™ program does not, by itself, confer state licensure, government authorization, or regulatory approval to practice any profession.
1. What SecureServe Academy™ Is
SecureServe Academy™ provides professional education designed to prepare students for careers in compliance-regulated service professions. Our programs cover the regulatory frameworks, compliance obligations, operational standards, and practical knowledge required for professional practice in fields including tax preparation, credit consulting, bankruptcy petition preparation, notary services, bail bond services, and mobile drug testing.
Our programs are developed by practitioners with direct professional experience in the fields they cover. Curriculum is reviewed against current regulatory requirements on an annual basis.
Upon passing the final certification examination, students receive a SecureServe Academy™ certificate of completion. This certificate documents that the student completed a specific curriculum and passed a competency examination established by SecureServe Academy™.
2. What SecureServe Academy™ Is Not
Not a state licensing board
SecureServe Academy™ does not issue state licenses, permits, or any form of government authorization. State licensing is administered by the relevant state regulatory agency for each profession in each jurisdiction.
Not a regulatory agency
SecureServe Academy™ has no regulatory authority over any profession. Our credentials do not satisfy regulatory requirements unless a specific regulatory body has independently recognized or accepted SecureServe Academy™ programs as part of its licensing pathway — and any such recognition must be verified directly with that regulatory body.
Not a federally accredited institution
SecureServe Academy™ is not accredited by DEAC (Distance Education Accrediting Commission), HLC (Higher Learning Commission), SACSCOC (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges), or any other regional or national accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Our programs are professional development certifications, not degrees or credentials from an accredited post-secondary institution.
Not a guarantor of employment or income
Completion of a SecureServe Academy™ program does not guarantee employment, client acquisition, income at any level, or success in the business or professional activities associated with the program.
3. State Licensing Requirements
Licensing and registration requirements for professional practice vary significantly by state and, in some cases, by locality. The requirements in one state do not apply to another, and requirements can change as a result of legislative or regulatory action.
Before offering services to clients, students are responsible for independently verifying the current licensing requirements in their state with the appropriate regulatory authority. This includes verifying:
- Whether a license, permit, registration, or bond is required in your state for the services you intend to provide
- The specific education, examination, or experience requirements for licensure in your state
- Whether continuing education requirements apply after initial licensure
- Any municipal or county licensing requirements that may apply in addition to state requirements
SecureServe Academy™ publishes general guidance on state requirements in our program materials, but this information is not a substitute for direct verification with your state's regulatory authority. State requirements are subject to change, and we cannot guarantee that published guidance reflects current requirements in your jurisdiction.
4. Program-Specific Licensing Notices
The following notices apply to specific certification programs offered by SecureServe Academy™. These are not exhaustive — students must independently verify current requirements in their jurisdiction.
Tax Professional
The IRS requires all compensated tax return preparers to obtain a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) and, if e-filing returns for clients, an Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN). Some states require independent registration of paid tax preparers (e.g., California CTEC, Oregon, Maryland). These federal and state registration requirements are separate from and in addition to SecureServe Academy™ certification.
Credit Consultant
Credit repair services are regulated under the federal Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA, 15 U.S.C. § 1679). Several states also require credit services organizations to register, obtain a surety bond, or meet additional licensing requirements. CROA compliance — including the advance fee prohibition, required written contracts, and right-to-cancel provisions — is the independent responsibility of the practitioner. SecureServe Academy™ certification is educational preparation and does not constitute authorization to operate a credit repair business.
Bankruptcy Petition Preparer
Non-attorney bankruptcy petition preparers are regulated under 11 U.S.C. § 110. BPPs must comply with federal statutory requirements including fee limitations, disclosure obligations, and noticing requirements. Federal court registration and compliance obligations are imposed directly by federal law and by individual federal bankruptcy courts — they are separate from and in addition to SecureServe Academy™ certification. Some states impose additional requirements. BPPs are expressly prohibited from providing legal advice.
Notary Professional
Notary public commissions are issued exclusively by state governments — typically through the Secretary of State's office. Commission requirements including education, bond, background check, and oath of office vary by state. Our training supports preparation for state commissioning but does not replace or fulfill state commission requirements. Students must apply for and receive a commission from their state government before performing notarial acts. Remote Online Notarization (RON) requires additional state-specific authorization.
Bail Bond Agent
Bail bond agents are regulated under state law in jurisdictions where commercial bail bonding is authorized (it is prohibited in several states). State licensing requirements typically include obtaining an insurance producer license, registering with the state Department of Insurance (DOI), passing a state licensing examination, and maintaining required surety appointments. These requirements are separate from and in addition to SecureServe Academy™ certification, which is educational preparation only.
Mobile Drug Testing Professional
Drug and alcohol testing collectors who perform DOT-regulated collections must comply with 49 CFR Part 40 and applicable Department of Transportation (DOT) modal regulations. Employers may require DOT collector training qualification and proficiency testing separate from any certification program. SAMHSA-certified laboratory requirements, custody and control form procedures, and collection site standards are determined by DOT regulations and employer policy. SecureServe Academy™ certification provides educational preparation and does not itself satisfy DOT qualification requirements or employer-specific standards.
5. What Our Credentials Represent
A SecureServe Academy™ certificate of completion represents:
- Completion of a structured curriculum covering the regulatory framework, compliance obligations, and operational standards of the relevant profession
- A passing score (80% minimum) on the SecureServe Academy™ final certification examination for the program
- Demonstrated engagement with the educational material as assessed by SecureServe Academy™
A SecureServe Academy™ credential is a professional development certificate. It is issued by SecureServe Academy™ and its authority derives from SecureServe Academy™ — not from any government agency, regulatory body, or independent accreditor.
SecureServe Academy™ certificates may be used to demonstrate professional education and training to clients, employers, or as part of state license applications where accepted — but they do not constitute a license, regulatory approval, or government authorization of any kind.
Students must not represent SecureServe Academy™ credentials as government licenses, regulatory approvals, or credentials from a government agency. Each program clearly describes what the credential does and does not authorize.
6. Questions
Questions about this disclaimer, certification standards, or what our credentials represent should be directed to the appropriate department below.
Certification Integrity & Compliance Department
Student Support
Response Time: 1–2 Business Days