State Authorization Requirements

Federal and state regulations require that all institutions of higher education comply with existing state laws regarding distance learning. As these regulations are continuously evolving, Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences (PA College) makes every effort to maintain compliance where feasible. PA College has developed a network of compliance officers, state regulators, and public interest groups to make the most informed decisions about these issues. PA College works with regulatory agencies in each state and U.S. Territory to seek authorization, exemption or permission to offer distance education programs, courses and certificate programs to residents who wish to enroll in our distance learning education programs.

All U.S. States and Territories require post-secondary educational institutions to be legally authorized to provide post-secondary educational instruction in their geographic locale. Many of these state laws and regulations also apply to online, distance and correspondence educational instruction offered in that state. As such, Saint Joseph's Lancaster location and its online/distance education programs must be authorized in certain states prior to offering those courses or programs to students residing in those states.

Admission of applicants outside the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to an online degree, certificate or individual online course offered by Saint Joseph's in Lancaster, is dependent on PA College’s ability to secure authorization from the applicant’s state of residence, if such authorization is required. PA College delivers online education programs and courses throughout the United States. All programs have been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. However, many states have prescribed an “authorization” process for out-of-state institutions delivering online programs to their residents to ensure quality post-secondary education, to preserve the integrity of an academic degree, and to instill greater consumer protection for its student citizens. The University has taken steps to protect its students and operations through nationwide compliance: by participation in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA); obtaining authorization, approval, exemptions and waivers; or confirming that Saint Joseph's in Lancaster can operate without such authorization because the state’s laws do not pertain to an accredited institution or to the University's activities in that state.

The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is a national initiative to provide more access to online courses while maintaining compliance standards with state regulatory agencies. SARA allows institutions to provide online courses outside of their own state borders by seeking and maintaining state approvals via a streamlined process.

On October 27, 2016, the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) approved the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to join SARA. PA College received notice of application approval on December 7, 2016 from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). On December 28, 2016, the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) approved our institutional participation. As a result, PA College is now permitted 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. Institutions that are members of SARA are authorized to provide online education to students from all SARA member states. States and institutions that choose to become members of SARA operate under a set of policies and standards overseen by NC-SARA and administered by four regional higher education compacts. For more information about the SARA initiative and the progress of state and institutional membership, please visit: nc-sara.org.

SARA Member States currently authorized SARA member states include those noted on this map, which is maintained by NC-SARA.

Educational activity under SARA is deemed to occur where the student is physically located at the time the student is in contact with the educational provider or a contractor acting on behalf of the provider. The student’s legal state of residence is not a factor in determining physical location for purposes of SARA. Additionally, Saint Joseph's in Lancaster may employ faculty who live outside Pennsylvania to teach in programs offered under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Important Notice Regarding Professional Licensure in States Outside of Pennsylvania 
SARA does not provide reciprocity for state professional licensing requirements. Academic programs and individual graduates must meet standards set by that state’s applicable licensing agency, in order for a graduate to be eligible for a license. If you are considering one of our online nursing programs that leads to a professional license, please contact Admissions for information regarding our status in your state. You may also contact the appropriate licensing agency where you plan to receive instruction before beginning your academic program (see National Council of State Boards of Nursing for state-by-state listings).

In accordance with Federal rule 34 CFR §668.43 (a)(5)(v)(A) through (C), enacted July 1, 2020, Saint Joseph's Lancaster location is required to disclose information regarding our programs that can lead to professional licensure and certification. Saint Joseph's in Lancaster is working to establish a resource through which each program that leads to professional licensure and certification will be identified by one of three statuses by state:
1. Has determined that its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification;
2. Has determined that its curriculum does not meet the state educational requirements for licensure or certification; and
3. Has not made a determination that its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification.

As of 7/5/2020, Saint Joseph's in Lancaster has not made a determination that its curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification for any of the applicable programs in the following states (AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY).

* PA College is exempt from authorization requirements in the state of Alaska. Saint Joseph's in Lancaster's online distance education programs are exempt from authorization under AS14.48 because the program is online or distance delivered and does not have a physical presence in the state of Alaska. 20 AAC 17.900 (a)(12) defines physical presence as presence of a facility, equipment, faculty, or staff within the state.

** This institution is authorized by: The Indiana Commission for Higher Education/The Indiana Board for Proprietary Education, 101 West Ohio Street, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46204-4206

Permanent Residents of Maryland – Saint Joseph's Lancaster location has applied for registration with the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) to enroll Maryland residents in our fully-online distance education programs. Per MHEC regulations, Saint Joseph's in Lancaster is subject to investigation of complaints by Maryland’s Office of the Attorney General or the Maryland Higher Education Commission. This link provides Maryland students with the appropriate contacts regarding their rights and the complaint/grievance process.