State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA)

State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement

The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is a national framework that establishes consistent standards for offering distance education across state lines. Through SARA, participating institutions can provide online programs to students in other member states without seeking separate authorization from each state. To learn more about SARA, please visit: nc-sara.org

Important Limitations of SARA

  • SARA applies only to distance education activities conducted across state lines
  • SARA does not override the following:
    • State professional licensing board requirements
    • State laws related to business operations, employment or consumer protection
  • Participation in SARA does not guarantee that a program meets professional licensure or certification requirements in any state.

On this page:

Participating SARA States

Image of the United States highlighting SARA States.
Click map for details

Students enrolled in distance education programs through a SARA-participating institution should follow this process:

  1. Submit complaint through Purdue’s internal grievance procedures
  2. If unresolved, escalate to the Indiana SARA State Portal Entity
  3. Further guidance can be found under the SARA Student Complaint Process

Distance education refers to instruction in which the student and instructor are in separate physical locations. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Online courses
  • Interactive video instruction
  • Correspondence courses or programs

Professional licensure is the process by which a state or territory determines whether an individual is qualified to practice in a regulated profession.

Some Purdue University programs are designed to prepare students for professional licensure or certification. For these programs, Purdue University provides state-specific disclosures regarding whether the program satisfies applicable educational requirements for licensure or certification.

Prospective and enrolled students should review the licensure disclosure information available on the applicable program website. Program-specific disclosures identify whether Purdue University has determined that a program:

  • Meets educational requirements for licensure or certification;
  • Does not meet educational requirements for licensure or certification; or
  • Has not made a determination regarding educational requirements for licensure or certification in a particular state or territory.

Licensure and certification requirements vary by state and profession and may change over time. In addition to educational requirements, states may require examinations, background checks, supervised experience, clinical hours, or other qualifications. Completion of an academic program does not guarantee licensure or certification.

Graduates must satisfy all requirements established by the licensing authority in the state or territory where they intend to practice.

Where required, Purdue provides state-by-state determinations indicating whether programs meet or do not meet educational requirements for licensure. In limited cases, a determination may not be available where the university does not enroll or recruit students in that state.

These determinations are based on current information and may change as state requirements are updated.

Professional Licensure Requirements

  • Licensure requirements are set by each state and can vary significantly.
  • Participation in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) does not satisfy state licensure requirements.
  • Approval to offer a program in a state is separate from approval to practice in a licensed profession.
  • Purdue University provides licensure information to support informed decision making by students
  • Academic units are responsible for obtaining any required approvals from state licensing boards, where applicable

Out-of-State Educational Activity

Out-of-state educational activity includes any activity conducted outside Indiana that is related to:

  • Enrollment in distance education programs
  • Field experiences or clinical placements
  • Instruction, recruitment or marketing

Supervised Field Experiences

  • Programs that include for-credit field experiences (e.g., internships, practicums, clinical placements) conducted outside Indiana are generally covered under SARA
  • Additional approvals may be required by state licensing boards or host states

Additional Approval May Be Required

Certain activities may require additional state authorization or review, including:

  • Out-of-state field experiences in licensed professions
  • Online programs that lead to professional licensure
  • Placement of more than 10 students from a single program at one site at the same time
  • Establishment of a physical location
  • Required in-person instruction

Placement Limitation

  • No more than 10 students from a single academic program may be placed simultaneously at one clinical or practicum site
  • Requests to exceed this limit must be approved by the host state SARA portal entity

Physical Presence

Under SARA, “physical presence” refers to activities conducted by the university within a state that may trigger additional state authorization requirements. Examples may include:

  • Establishing a physical location or administrative office
  • Conducting in-person instruction
  • Requiring students to meet in person
  • Certain types of field experiences or placements

While SARA standardizes many distance education activities, some activities may still require additional state review or approval.