Federal Regulation

Definition - State authorization reciprocity agreement

Description

Federal regulation defines a state authorization reciprocity agreement as an arrangement that allows an institution approved in one state to offer distance or correspondence courses in other member states, in accordance with the agreement’s terms, while remaining subject to each state’s general-purpose laws and regulations.

Action to be Taken

Determine Eligibility – Confirm if the institution is located in a state that participates in a reciprocity agreement.
Apply for Approval – Seek state approval to operate under the agreement’s uniform policies to provide distance education.
Maintain Compliance – Once approved, comply with general-purpose laws in the states where students are located, including business registration, consumer protection, fraud prevention, workers’ compensation, and criminal laws.

Effective Date

July 1, 2020

Resources

34 CFR 600.2 - Definition - state authorization reciprocity agreement
SARA Policy Manual
The Evolution of Compliance for State Authorization of Distance Education By Sharyl Thompson
State Authorization of Colleges and Universities: A Handbook for Institutions and Agencies by Alan L. Contreras with Contributing Authors: Sharyl J. Thompson, Russell Poulin, & Cheryl Dowd.

Regulation progress: Step 8 of 8

Step 1 Notice of Intent to Establish a Rulemaking with Public Comment Period.
Step 2. Negotiated Rulemaking Committee Nominations and Schedule of Committee Meetings with Public Nominations.
Step 3. Negotiated Rulemaking Committee Meetings
Step 4 Office of Management & Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs Review of Proposed Regulations
Step 5 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and Public Comment Period (release of proposed regulations)
Step 6 Office of Management & Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs Review of Final Regulations
Step 7 Release of Final Regulations
Step 8 Effective Date