State Authorization

Amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) include new requirements in individual state authorization regulations that impact colleges offering online and distance learning. Cleveland Community College is working to achieve compliance as established in HEOA 600.9 (c).

This specific section of §600.9 State authorization states: “If an institution is offering postsecondary education through distance or correspondence education to students in a State in which it is not physically located or in which it is otherwise subject to State jurisdiction as determined by the State, the institution must meet any State requirements for it to be legally offering postsecondary distance or correspondence education in that State. An institution must be able to document to the Secretary [of Education] the State’s approval upon request.”(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1001 and 1002)

Therefore, the Department of Education requires all post-secondary educational institutions to be legally authorized to provide post-secondary educational instruction in their states. Many of these state laws and regulations also apply to online, distance and correspondence educational instruction offered in that state. As such, Cleveland Community College 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 out-of-state applicants to an online program or individual course offered by CCC is dependent on the College’s ability to secure authorization from the applicant’s state of residence.

If CCC has not been authorized by the applicant’s state of residence to offer online, distance, and correspondence education, the applicant is not eligible for enrollment in an online program or individual course at the College. The College may periodically update the list due to changes in authorization status. For questions, please contact the College’s Distance Learning office at 704-669-4098. The College reserves the right to refuse enrollment to any student wishing to enroll in online courses if the student resides in a state where Cleveland Community College is not authorized to offer distance education.

How is CCC maintaining compliance?

Cleveland Community College is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) which allows students in participating states and territories to enroll in online distance education classes.

CCC is complying with Federal Requirements by monitoring incoming applicants for out-of-state students who may wish to enroll in online programs or individual courses. If applicants from a State not authorized by CCC attempt to enroll, the College will notify the students of their ineligibility and remove them from courses for which they are registered.

Professional License/Licensure – Out-of-state students enrolled in a program leading to professional licensure

Cleveland Community College has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA). However, NC-SARA does not engage with professional licensing board approval for any courses or programs leading to professional licensure. If you are not a resident of North Carolina but you are enrolled in courses or programs leading to professional licensure, please contact the dean of the degree program at Cleveland Community College to discuss licensure options prior to beginning your course of study. Additionally, you can view professional licensure disclosures for individual programs that indicate CCC’s best effort to determine if the program curriculum:

meets state educational requirements for licensure or certification,
does not meet state educational requirements for licensure or certification, or
a determination has not been made.

CCC Professional Licensure Disclosures and Contact Information

State Licensure Agencies Contact Information

How is CCC maintaining compliance?

Professional License/Licensure – Out-of-state students enrolled in a program leading to professional licensure

State Authorization Student Complaint Procedure

SARA-NC Complaint Process

SACSCOC Student Complaint Process

Directory of States (Contacts)

Useful Links