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 like internships, student teaching, or healthcare clinicals might require additional approval when they occur in certain states. These approvals are not included in SARA participation and most frequently occur for programs that lead to professional licensure. In these situations, UNC must secure approval from a state’s licensing board for that profession before providing distance education to students located in that state.
We continuously investigate these requirements and list the professions and states that may have additional approval requirements below. For more information on professional licensure, 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
UNC takes part in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA). SARA lets UNC offer distance learning to students in SARA member states without needing separate approval from each state.
Complaints from Students in SARA States: To submit a complaint, students should first use UNC’s student complaint process. 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.
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.