State Authorization & Professional Licensure

National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) has been approved by the Colorado Department of Higher Education to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) through the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education.  Our participation in NC-SARA permits the institution to deliver educational experiences outside of the State of Colorado.  

NC-SARA oversight covers distance education, out-of-state course placements (clinical, internships, or student teaching), professional licensure, and grievances as recognized in the SARA Policy Manual. UCCS complies with all applicable state and federal regulations relating to state authorization.

NC-SARA also provides an additional oversight for student consumer protection. By requiring member states to follow a uniform process for approving and reviewing participating institutions and requiring participating institutions to comply with agreed upon policies relating to distance education and out-of-state learning opportunities, NC-SARA is able to assist in ensuring that student access to educational opportunities are equitable and students remain well-served by their institutions.

State authorization regulations do not apply to students accessing courses or programs while located outside of the United States. International students are advised to understand and be apprised of the rules, regulations, and requirements related to distance education programs in their country of residence, particularly if the country will charge any additional taxes, withholding or fees associated with distance education programs.

For Student Compliant Resolutions for Students Outside of Colorado: See the 'Complaints' dropdown below.

Professional Licensure

As defined by the SARA Policy Manual, Professional Licensure is a process of state or other governmental entities that establishes standards of practice and gives legal permission to practice a profession by providing licenses or certifications to individuals who meet those standards. Students who complete a licensure preparation program at UCCS are eligible to pursue licensure in Colorado. For students considering, or currently enrolled in, a program that leads to professional licensure, UCCS strongly encourages those students to consult both their academic program and the appropriate state licensing board. This will help students determine whether UCCS’s curriculum meets the educational requirements to sit for the licensing exam in their state and to understand any additional steps they may need to take. These can include post-graduation exams, supplemental coursework, professional experience, fees, background checks, or other state-specific requirements. 

A list of UCCS programs leading to licensure, along with those that are not designed for licensure but may support a pathway to certification in the future, can be found below under Programs for all U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia. The list also includes information on where program graduates are eligible to sit for licensure exams, as well as contact details for state licensing agencies.

Please note that licensing requirements change frequently. UCCS makes every effort to provide accurate and up-to-date information, and our faculty and staff are available to guide students in understanding how their program aligns with licensure expectations. Because requirements may differ across states, territories, or the District of Columbia and evolve over time, we encourage students to review information provided by the relevant state, territory or the District of Columbia licensing board and consider how those requirements fit with the students’ professional goals.

Current and prospective students will be notified directly via email should it be determined they are applying to or enrolled in academic programs that do not meet the educational requirements for licensure in the state in which they are physically located. For this reason, it is important that UCCS students update their location should it change while completing their education. Current students can change or update their location address in myUCCS Portal through their profile and should regularly review their location information for accuracy.