State authorization is the process by which educational institutions obtain permission from a state to offer postsecondary educational programs and services within that state. Each state has their own laws and regulations related to offering postsecondary educational programs and services within that state.
The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is a interstate agreement which establishes comparable national standards for offering distance education courses and programs. Utah Valley University has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.
UVU is authorized to offer online education in all states and a few territories with some restrictions on internships and practicums. In some cases, UVU is also exempt from seeking State Authorization. To review the authorization information for each state or territory you intend to reside in while pursuing your degree or program through UVU click on the links below.
If you are considering completing a program, whether online or in-person, that is designed to lead to professional licensure or certification, which may include supervised field experiences, please click here to learn more.
If you are a student looking to complete your program internationally, please click here to learn more.
All current UVU online programs are included in the authorization status for the states displayed below. Visit the UVU Online webpage for current information about all online programs offered at UVU.
Professional Licensure
If you are considering an online, or face-to-face, academic program that leads to professional licensure or certification, please visit our Professional Licensure webpage for links to academic programs and professional licensure boards. In addition to reviewing UVU’s professional licensure disclosures, UVU recommends students conduct their own research of the educational requirements for the license or certification they desire to seek. UVU always recommends students obtain licensure in Utah before applying for the equivalent license anywhere else. SARA does not provide reciprocity for state professional licensing requirements.
Experiential Learning Experiences
Experiential experiences are student learning experiences included in a program that may be required for course completion. Some experiential experiences include, but are not limited to: Service learning, Internships, Practicums, Field or clinical experience, Student teaching, Field Trips, and an in-person "intensive" learning experience (i.e., a 1- or 2-week summer intensive or a weekend per semester when the course is otherwise online).
Out-of-state experiential learning experiences that include internships, student teaching, medical clinicals, and any other practical application of previously studied theories and skills under the oversight of a supervisor, mentor or faculty member that occur are subject to specific state laws and regulations in that particular state. Some state board agencies, in fields such as nursing and education, require UVU to obtain approval from that specific board agency before the experience occurs. Prior to desiring an out-of-state experiential learning experience in nursing and education, please contact UVU's Associate Director of Accreditation and Academic Assessment. Experiential experiences, such as those previously stated can be completed anywhere in the continental United States.
Moving Mid-Program? Know the Risks!
When you are taking courses online, where you live—the place from which you access academic resources, your current location—matters. UVU must be authorized (or otherwise allowed) by your state to deliver your academic program to you.
Students starting an online program while living in a state where UVU is authorized should be aware that relocating to a different state or country where the University is not authorized could have adverse effects. Although the University strives to obtain authorization in all locations where its students reside, moving to an unauthorized state or country could lead to losing eligibility for certain financial aid and/or the inability to complete the academic program.
Student Consumer Complaints
Students who have a complaint against Utah Valley University should first file a complaint with the institution using the University Compliance website (please scroll to the bottom of the page for the student consumer complaint process.) Please allow two business days for a response. If UVU does not resolve the complaint, students may file a complaint with the Utah System of Higher Education Board of Regents. The Board of Regents will only consider complaints that were previously unresolved by the institution and may refer a complaint to another agency for investigation.
International Compliance
Utah Valley University students may not be able to complete their program outside of the United States. This is because UVU is not authorized to offer online education in foreign countries. If you desire to complete your program online internationally, it is your responsibility to understand the special requirements in your home country related to online education:
It is a student’s responsibility to understand requirements related to whether an online degree will be recognized in a country other than the United States, how the collection of student data may be used in another country, and whether withholding taxes (in addition to the price of tuition) will apply. Some countries may not formally recognize foreign online degrees, which may have implications for students who later seek to enroll in other educational programs, or for those who seek employment with that country’s government or other employers requiring specific credentials.
International students considering an academic program that leads to a professional license should first confirm with the appropriate professional licensing board in their country of residence or the country where they intend to work as to whether an UVU online degree will be recognized when seeking licensure or certification.
Certain countries are subject to comprehensive embargoes under US Export Controls, which prohibit virtually ALL exports, imports, and other transactions without a license or other US Government authorization. Currently students are restricted from participating in online courses from any institution located in the United States in the following countries:
Cuba | Crimea Region of Ukraine | Iran | North Korea | Sudan | Syria | Venezuela
Lawful Presence
Utah Valley University understands that some undocumented students may complete a particular program and desire a local or state position which may require licensure. Some local or state occupations, such as a police officer for example, may require individuals to obtain “lawful presence”. Individuals who do not have a lawful presence are able to obtain lawful presence via one of the various pathways:
It is the responsibility of students pursuing occupations that require verification of lawful presence to conduct their own research and ensure compliance with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements. While the University provides general guidance and resources on Utah specific requirements, it is ultimately the student’s duty to verify their eligibility and maintain lawful status as required by their chosen profession in the state they desire to seek employment. The University cannot guarantee licensure or employment eligibility, as these are subject to external legal and regulatory standards.
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Alabama through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:State of Alabama Office of the Attorney General (Consumer complaint)
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Alaska through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Arizona through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:AZ-SARA Council
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Arkansas through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process: Arkansas Division of Higher Education
Status: UVU is not subject to higher education authorization regulations in California. As a result, UVU is in compliance with regulations regarding distance education delivered to students in California.
Student Complaint Process:
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Colorado through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Colorado Department of Higher Education
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Connecticut through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:The Office of Financial and Academic Affairs for Higher Education
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Delaware through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Delaware Department of Education
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Florida through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Florida Department of Education
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Georgia through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Hawaii through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Hawaii Post-secondary Education Authorization Program
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Idaho through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Idaho State Board of Education
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Illinois through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Illinois Board of Higher Education
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Indiana through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Indiana Commission for Higher Education
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Iowa through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Iowa College Aid
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Kansas through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Kansas Board of Regents
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Kentucky through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Louisiana through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Board of Regents: State of Louisiana
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Maine through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Maine Department of Education
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Maryland through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Maryland Higher Education Commission
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Massachusetts through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Massachusetts Board of Higher Education
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Michigan through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Minnesota through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Minnesota Office of Higher Education
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Mississippi through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Missouri through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Montana through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Montana University System
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Nebraska through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Nevada through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Nevada System of Higher Education
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in New Hampshire through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:New Hampshire Division of Higher Education
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in New Jersey through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in New Mexico through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:New Mexico Higher Education Department
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in New York through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:New York State Education Department
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in North Carolina through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:University of North Carolina
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in North Dakota through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:North Dakota University System
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Ohio through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Oklahoma through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Oregon through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Pennsylvania through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Pennsylvania Department of Education
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Rhode Island through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in South Carolina through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in South Dakota through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:South Dakota Board of Regents
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Tennessee through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Tennessee Higher Education Commission & Student Assistance Corporation
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Texas through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Status: All of UVU’s online programs are authorized and available to students living in Utah, and have been approved by the Utah System of Higher Education.
Student Complaint Process:Utah System of Higher Education
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Vermont through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Vermont Agency of Education
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Virginia through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:State Council of Higher Education for Virginia
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Washington through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Washington Student Achievement Council
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in West Virginia through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Wisconsin through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Wisconsin through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Wyoming Department of Education
Status: UVU is not subject to higher education authorization regulations in American Samoa. As a result, UVU is in compliance with regulations regarding distance education delivered to students in American Samoa.
Student Complaint Process: American Samoa Department of Education
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in the Distict of Columbia through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Florida Department of Education
Status:
Information regarding regulation of postsecondary education through distance or correspondence
education is unnavailable at this time.
Student Complaint Process: Federated States of Micronesia Department of Education
Status: UVU is not subject to higher education authorization regulations in California. As a result, UVU is in compliance with regulations regarding distance education delivered to students in California.
Student Complaint Process: Guam Department of Education
Status:
Information regarding regulation of postsecondary education through distance or correspondence
education is unnavailable at this time.
Status:
Information regarding regulation of postsecondary education through distance or correspondence
education is unnavailable at this time.
Student Complaint Process: Distance Education Consumer Protection Complaint
Status: UVU is not subject to higher education authorization regulations in the Republic of Palau. As a result, UVU is in compliance with regulations regarding distance education delivered to students in the Republic of Palau.
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in Puerto Rico through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process:Puerto Rico Council on Education
Status: UVU is authorized to offer online education to students in the U.S. Virgin Islands through the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
Student Complaint Process: Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs
