State Authorization

In 2015, Illinois became a SARA (State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement) state. SARA is a voluntary agreement among its member states and U.S. territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance-education courses and programs. It is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state.

Current authorized SARA member states include: All U.S. States and Territories excluding California. For NC-SARA Complaint Information, visit the NC-SARA Directory.

Professional Licensure

If your program leads to a professional license or certification, authorization may be required from the state professional licensing board prior to beginning a clinical or field experience in a state other than Illinois. Check with your internship or clinical coordinator with questions about state professional licensing board requirements prior to beginning an internship or field experience in another state. You can find more information about licensure by state below. Professional licensure information is listed for Accountancy, Education, Engineering, Nursing, Psychology, Social Work, and Veterinary Medicine.

Complaint Procedures

Pursuant to the U.S. Department of Education's Federal Integrity Rules, the University of Illinois System must provide to its out-of-state distance education students or prospective students the contact information for filing complaints with each state licensing entity and any other relevant agency that would handle the complaint.

If a student located in a SARA state has a complaint about an institution operating under SARA, complaints must first go through the institution's standard procedure for resolution of student grievances. If a student is not satisfied with the outcome of the institutional process, the complaint may then be brought to the SARA portal agency in the institution's home state. The state where the student is located also may resolve the complaint. Although students may choose to work through their own state's SARA office for complaint resolution, the SARA office of the state where the provider is located is responsible for staffing the investigation and complaint resolution.

For a complete state by state listing of licensing and complaint information, see below.

Licensure Information by State

State	Licensing Agency	Professional Board Licensure	Student Complaint Information
Alabama	Alabama Commission on Higher Education	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	ACCS Student Complaints
Alaska	Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	ACPE Consumer Protection & Student Complaints
American Samoa	Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education	Accountancy, Architecture, American Samoa, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	https://www.wiche.edu/about/contact-us/ --- https://www.wiche.edu/resources/federal-student-complaint-regulation-clarifying-misconc
Arizona	Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	Arizona PPSE Student Complaint Procedures
Arkansas	Arkansas Department of Higher Education	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	ADHE Student Resources
California	California State Assembly Committee on Higher Education	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	DCA is Here to Help
Colorado	Colorado Department of Higher Education	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	CDHE Complaint Procedures
Connecticut	Connecticut Office of Higher Education	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	Connecticut Student Complaints
Delaware	Delaware Department of Education Higher Education Office	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	Delaware Institutional Approval Process
District of Columbia	District of Columbia Higher Education Licensure Commission	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	DC HELC Student FAQ
Florida	Florida Commission for Independent Education	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	Florida Student Complaint Process
Georgia	Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	GA-SARA Online Student Complaint Form
Guam	Guam Department of Education	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	Guam Department of Education
Hawaii	Hawaii Postsecondary Education Authorization Program	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	HPEAP SARA Complaint Process
Idaho	Idaho State Board of Education	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	Idaho OSBE Student Complaint Procedures
Illinois	Illinois Board of Higher Education	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	IBHE Complaint System
Indiana	Indiana Commission for Higher Education	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	Indiana CHE Student Complaints
Iowa	Iowa Department of Education	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	Iowa Higher Education Student Complaints
Kansas	Kansas Board of Regents	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	SARA Complaint Procedure (PDF)
Kentucky	Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	Kentucky CPE: How to File a Consumer Complaint
Louisiana	Louisiana Board of Regents	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	Louisiana Board of Regents Student Complaint
Maine	Maine Department of Education	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	Maine DOE Complaint Form
Maryland	Maryland Higher Education Commission	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	Maryland Department of Academic Affairs
Massachusetts	Massachusetts Department of Higher Education	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	Massachusetts DHE Complaints
Michigan	Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	Michigan LEO Post-Secondary Schools Complaints
Minnesota	Minnesota Office of Higher Education	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	Minnesota OHE Complaint Form (.pdf)
Mississippi	Mississippi Public Universities	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	MCCA Student Complaint Form (.pdf)
Missouri	Missouri Department of Higher Education	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	CBHE Policy on Complaint Resolution (.pdf)
Montana	Montana University System Office of the Commissioner of Higher Educ	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	Notification of Montana Postsecondary Educational Institution Complaint Process
Nebraska	Nebraska's Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	Nebraska CCPE Student Complaints
Nevada	Nevada System of Higher Education	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	Nevada CPE Student Complaint Form (.pdf)
New Hampshire	New Hampshire Department of Education Higher Education Commission	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	Higher Education in New Hampshire
New Jersey	New Jersey Secretary for Higher Education	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	New Jersey OSHE Complaint Form (.pdf)
New Mexico	New Mexico Higher Education Department	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	NMHED Student Complaints
New York	The New York State Education Department's Office of Higher Education	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	NYSED Filing a Complaint About a College or University
North Carolina	North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	UNC Student Complaint Process (.pdf)
North Dakota	North Dakota State Board of Higher Education	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	North Dakota University System State Authorization
Ohio	Ohio Department of Higher Education	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	Ohio Department of Higher Education Student Complaint Information
Oklahoma	Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	OSRHE Student Complaints
Oregon	Oregon Office of Degree Authorization	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	Oregon HECC Student Complaints
Pennsylvania	Pennsylvania Department of Education	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	PDE Higher Education Complaint Form (.pdf)
Puerto Rico	Puerto Rico Department of Education	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	Regulation for the Licensing of Institutions of Higher Education in Puerto Rico (.pdf)
Rhode Island	Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	RI OPC Help for Students
South Carolina	South Carolina Commission on Higher Education	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	South Carolina CHE Student Complaint Procedures and Form (.pdf)
Tennessee	Tennessee Higher Education Commission	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	THEC Request for Complaint Review
Texas	Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	THECB Student Complaints
Utah	Utah Division of Consumer Protection	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	Utah State Authorization
Vermont	Vermont Agency of Education	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	Vermont Complaint Resoluction of Postsecondary Schools
Virgin Islands	U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Education	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	N/A
Virginia	Virginia State Council of Higher Education	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	SCHEV Student Complaints
Washington	Washington Student Achievement Council	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	WSAC Student Complaints
West Virginia	West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	WVHEPC Student Complaint Process
Wisconsin	State of Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	Wisconsin DLAB For Students
Wyoming	Wyoming Department of Education	Accountancy, Architecture, Athletic Training, Medical/Clinical Lab Science, Counseling, Dentistry, Dietetics, Education, Engineering, Geology, Landscape Architecture, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Speech Pathology, Urban Planning, Veterinary Medicine	WDE Private School Licensing