Your online college may be three states away, but the state you live in still matters, for authorization, complaints and especially for licensure.
The quick take
- Colleges generally need authorization to enroll online students who live in other states.
- The SARA reciprocity agreement covers 49 states plus D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; California isn’t a member.
- SARA provides a complaint process for students at member institutions.
- If you move during a program, tell the school first, since authorization and licensure rules can change.
Each state regulates the colleges that operate within its borders, and enrolling students who live there online can count. To avoid every college having to get approval in every state, most states joined a reciprocity agreement.
How SARA works
The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements, run by the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), let an approved institution offer distance education to students in other member states without getting separate approval from each one. Membership covers 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. California is the one state that isn’t a member, so schools must meet California’s own rules to enroll students there.
Why it matters to you
- Your ability to enroll. A school may simply not accept students from states where it isn’t authorized.
- Complaints. SARA gives students a route for complaints that the school doesn’t resolve.
- Licensure. Authorization to teach you online is separate from whether a program meets your state’s licensing requirements; for nursing, teaching or counseling, ask for the program’s licensure disclosure for your state.
Watch for
Moving in the middle of a program can change things. Your new state might not be covered, or a licensure program might not meet its requirements. Tell the school before you move, and get its answer in writing.
What to check before enrolling
| Question | Why |
|---|---|
| Is the school a SARA institution, or otherwise authorized in my state? | Determines whether it can enroll you |
| Does the program lead to a license, and does it meet requirements in my state? | Protects you from a degree you can’t use |
| Are in-person requirements, like clinicals or residencies, available near me? | Avoids surprise travel |
| What’s the complaint process for out-of-state students? | Know your options before you need them |
Cost differences between states
Public universities sometimes charge out-of-state online students more than in-state ones, and sometimes charge everyone the same online rate. Compare the full cost, including fees, in our guide to online program costs.
And when you’re weighing how an online degree will look to employers in your state, see online degrees on your resume.
You might be wondering
Q: Can I enroll in an online program if I live in California?
A: Often, yes. California isn’t part of SARA, so out-of-state schools have to meet California’s own requirements to enroll California residents. Ask the school whether it’s approved to enroll students in California.
Q: Does SARA cover licensure?
A: No. SARA deals with authorization to offer distance education, not with whether a program meets professional licensing requirements in your state. Those are separate disclosures.
Q: Where do I file a complaint about an online school?
A: Start with the school’s own complaint process. If that doesn’t resolve it, students at SARA institutions can take complaints to the SARA portal agency in the school’s home state; you can also contact your own state’s higher education agency or attorney general.
Policies differ by school and change over time. This guide is general information for online students in the U.S.; check your school’s current policies and your program’s requirements before you enroll.