State Authorization
University of Northern Colorado (UNC) participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
SARA participation lets us offer distance education to students who live in most U.S. states and territories. This includes online classes and on-ground learning placements like internships, student teaching, and clinicals. Read on to learn more about SARA and additional approval requirements for some learning placements that take place in other states.
What is SARA?
The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) streamline state regulations around distance education programs for all states that are members of the agreements. By joining SARA, member states agree to uniform requirements for authorizing institutions to provide distance education. This allows participating institutions to more easily offer distance education across all member states and territories.
Currently, UNC can offer distance learning in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and all major U.S. territories.
Visit the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) website to learn more about SARA.
Learning Placements in Other States
Some in-person learning activities such as internships, student teaching, or healthcare clinicals may require additional approval in certain states. These approvals are not covered by SARA and are most common for programs that lead to professional licensure. In these cases, UNC must obtain approval from the state’s licensing board before offering distance education to students located in that state.
We regularly review these requirements and list any professions and states with additional approval requirements below. For more information, visit our licensure webpage or contact Licensure@unco.edu.
Some state nursing boards have extra rules for out-of-state nursing programs that want to offer online courses or clinical placements in their state. These rules may apply to both pre-licensure and post-licensure nursing programs. We are listing these states here as we continue to research and secure required approvals.
If your state is listed as having additional requirements or you intend to complete a clinical placement in a state other than Colorado, please contact the School of Nursing for additional information.
States with Additional Requirements:
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
California
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Illinois
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New York
New Hampshire
North Carolina
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Oregon
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Educator Preparation
State boards of education may have additional requirements for students that complete learning placements, such as student teaching, in their state. We are listing these states here as we continue to research state-specific requirements.
If your state is listed below, or you intend on pursuing licensure or student teaching in a state other than Colorado, please contact Dr. Charles Warren, University Licensure Officer, in the Office of Professional Licensure at Charles.Warren@unco.edu.
States with Additional Requirements:
Georgia
Hawaii
Complaint Resolution Assistance for SARA Participating Institutions
Complaints from Students in SARA States: Students located in SARA member states have additional options for resolving student complaints under the SARA agreement. To submit a complaint, students should first use UNC’s student complaint process by reporting an incident or concern. If the issue has not been resolved, students may submit a complaint to the SARA portal agency in Colorado (UNC’s home state). Learn more about the SARA student complaint process and visit the Colorado SARA portal agency website to learn more.
Complaints from Students in California: California is not a SARA member. Students in California should first use UNC’s student complaint process. They may also submit a complaint to the California Department of Consumer Affairs.
Have Questions?
For questions related to SARA or distance education in other states, please contact Jake Henderson, State Authorization Compliance and Assessment Specialist, at Jake.Henderson@unco.edu or 970-351-4678.