State Authorization & Licensure
State authorization is the federal, state, and professional licensing board regulations that impact online and on-ground education offered across state lines. State authorization ensures that a UND degree will be recognized and that a student will be eligible to sit for licensure in states other than North Dakota. UND is currently authorized to offer programs in some states, depending on the program, but UND does not have state authorization for all programs in all states.
The University of North Dakota has been approved by the State of North Dakota and the North Dakota University System to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). NC-SARA is voluntary agreement among member states, districts, and territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offerings of postsecondary distance education. Visit NC-SARA for more information.
Adverse Actions Disclosure
As of November 4, 2019 the University of North Dakota online education programs have no previous, current or pending adverse actions initiated by any state agencies, the Higher Learning Commission, the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, or by NC-SARA, for the past five years.
Professional Licensure Disclosures
UND is in the process of researching the state requirements for professional licensure in all of our programs that lead to eligibility for licensure. Each state has unique authorization requirements, so UND must review each state’s laws to ensure that the university is in compliance. If you are planning to seek a professional license or certification in a state other than North Dakota, it is strongly recommended that you contact the appropriate state licensing agency to determine all of the educational and other requirements for licensure or certification, before enrolling in a UND program. Other requirements in a particular state may include, but are not limited to, additional post-graduation examinations or experience, application and licensing fees, criminal background checks, reference checks, fingerprint submissions, etc. To inquire as to other requirements, or ask any other questions regarding licensure in a particular state, please contact the licensing board in the state by clicking on the link to the agency in the disclosures listed at the bottom of this page.
Licensure requirements are always subject to change. Although UND will attempt to confirm the licensure requirements on a routine basis, we strongly recommend that you inquire with the state board to confirm that you understand and will meet the requirements for licensure before enrolling in your program of choice.
Additionally, licensing requirements vary by state and relocating could impact whether you will meet eligibility requirements for licensure. Check with the state licensing agency where you desire licensure before relocating to ensure that you will be eligible for licensure or reciprocity and please notify your Program Advisor of your relocation and licensure intent in the new state.
If you have any questions or if you would like assistance in determining if your selected program is authorized in a particular state, please email UND.stateauthorization@UND.edu.
Complaint Procedures for Distance Learning Students
Students residing outside of North Dakota while attending UND must file all complaints through the standard procedure for resolution of student grievances and complaints. If the issue cannot be resolved through the institutional process, the complaint may be appealed, within two years of the incident about which the complaint is made, to the North Dakota NC-SARA Portal Agency contact . The SARA portal entity in the state where the student is located will be notified that the complaint was received and may assist as needed. Grade appeals and student conduct appeals are not allowed under NC-SARA. The resolution of the complaint by the SARA portal entity in the institution's home state is final.
NC-SARA maintains a directory of SARA State Portal Entities.