State Authorization

State Authorization Rules

On October 29, 2010, the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) released new program integrity regulations. One of the regulations focused on the need for an institution offering distance or correspondence education to acquire authorization from any outside state in which it operates. An institution is required to demonstrate efforts to comply in each state in which it serves students, and states expect that institutions already be in compliance with their regulations before serving any students in those states. 

What This Means

Before accepting enrollments for online and correspondence courses from students residing outside of Texas who are not planning on relocating to Texas, Texas State must be in compliance with the distance learning regulations of the states in which students reside.

Texas State Joins NC-SARA

Effective March 22, 2016, Texas State University has been approved by the State of Texas to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. NC-SARA is an agreement among member states, districts, and territories that establish comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. NC-SARA makes it easier for students to take online courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state.

States from Which Texas State May Accept Enrollments

Because of the NC-SARA membership, as well as authorizations previously obtained from individual states and ongoing compliance with applicable state authorization rules, Texas State is now able to accept student enrollments for online and distance education courses from students who reside in all states. For a complete list of the NC-SARA approved schools, visit the NC-SARA Institution Directory.

Compliance Documentation

For state-by-state information on compliance including NC-SARA, select the state name in the drop-down menu below.

Student Complaints

Please visit our Student Complaints page for information for information on filing complaints as a Texas State distance education student.

Licensure

Prospective students who reside outside of the state of Texas and who are interested in any online Texas State University academic program which may lead to professional licensure are expected to inquire with the appropriate licensing agency in their home state, prior to beginning the program in order to assure that the program is approved to provide the desired licensure.

Internships

Please note that Texas State is not authorized to conduct internships leading to professional licensure without direct coordination with the licensure board in that state.

If you wish to enroll in a distance education program that requires an internship / practicum / clinical leading towards licensure, please first contact Online and Extended Programs, to ensure the accuracy of applicable licensure requirements.

States

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Territories

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  • As an out-of-state, public, not-for-profit institution of higher education, regionally accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, Texas State University is not required to register or seek authorization to offer distance education programs in American Samoa.

    The territory of American Samoa does not have a student complaint process applicable to out-of-state public institutions.  The student complaints should be filed under the state’s postsecondary agency the school originated in.  American Samoa is a non-participant of NC-SARA.

    Student Complaint Process:

    American Samoa Community College
    Mesepa, Western District 96799
    American Samoa
    684-699-7834
    t.fale@amsamoa.edu

    http://www.amsamoa.edu/institution/bhe.html

  • As an out-of-state, public, not-for-profit institution of higher education, regionally accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, Texas State University is not required to register or seek authorization to offer distance education programs in Guam.

    The territory of Guam does not have a student complaint process applicable to out-of-state public institutions. The student complaints should be filed under the state’s postsecondary agency the school originated in.  Guam is a non-participant of NC-SARA.

    Student Complaint Process:

    University of Guam
    University Drive
    Mangilao, 96923, Guam
    eeo-ada@triton.uog.edu

    www.uog.edu/

  • As an out-of-state, public, not-for-profit institution of higher education, regionally accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, Texas State University is not required to register or seek authorization to offer distance education programs in the Northern Mariana Islands.

    The territory of Northern Mariana Islands does not have a student complaint process applicable to out-of-state public institutions.  The student complaints should be filed under the state’s postsecondary agency the school originated in.  The Northern Mariana Islands is a non-participant of NC-SARA.

    Student Complaint Process:

    Northern Mariana Islands Postsecondary Education
    Office of the NMC President
    P.O. Box 501250
    Saipan MP 96950
    nmc@marianas.edu

    www.marianas.edu/index.php

  • As a member of NC-SARA, the U.S. Virgin Islands does not require any additional state authorization qualifications from SARA participant institutions who are compliant with SARA policies and standards.

    Student Complaint Process:

    University of the Virgin Islands
    #2 John Brewers Bay
    St. Thomas, VI  00802
    340.693.1200

    https://www.uvi.edu/

    U.S. Virgin Islands SARA State Portal Entity:

    University of the Virgin Islands
    #2 John Brewers Bay
    St. Thomas, VI  00802
    340.693.1200

    cmckayl@uvi.edu

  • As a member of NC-SARA, the territory of Puerto Rico does not require any additional state authorization qualifications from SARA participant institutions who are compliant with SARA policies and standards.

    Student Complaint Process:

    The Puerto Rico Council on Education
    268 Ponce de Leon Avenue
    The Hato Rey Center, Floor 15
    Hato Rey, P.R. 00918
    787.641.7100

    http://www.agencias.pr.gov/agencias/cepr/inicio/licenciamiento/Pages/Educacion-Superior.aspx

    Complaint Form:    http://www.agencias.pr.gov/agencias/cepr/inicio/DocumentosCEPR/Documents/SARA/SARA_Complaint_Process.pdf

    Puerto Rico SARA State Portal Entity:

    Puerto Rico Council on Education
    P.O. Box 19900
    San Juan, P.R.  00919-1900
    787-722-2121 ext 3809
    nvega@estado.pr.gov

    https://agencias.pr.gov/agencias/cepr/inicio/Pages/SARA.aspx