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State Authorization

The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) coordinates administration of SARA. Visit nc-sara.org for more information.

UNC Charlotte is authorized to offer online education to students in most U.S. states and territories through its participation in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA). SARA is an agreement among member states, districts, and territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate distance education. It simplifies the process for institutions like UNC Charlotte to seek approval to offer online programs across state lines.

The University has been approved to participate in SARA since September 7, 2017, and renews its participation annually.

California is the only U.S. state that is not a member of SARA. However, under current California regulations, UNC Charlotte may offer online programs to California residents based on exemptions granted to public institutions.

Moving to a New State

Your physical location while enrolled in an online program matters. UNC Charlotte must be authorized or otherwise permitted to offer your program in the state where you are physically present while taking courses.

If you relocate to a state where UNC Charlotte is not authorized to operate, you may become ineligible to continue your academic program or receive certain forms of financial aid. Although the University works to maintain compliance in as many states as possible, state-specific rules can impact your eligibility.

UNC Charlotte does not currently enroll students located outside the United States in any of its online programs.

Rights and Responsibilities

UNC Charlotte is committed to compliance, transparency, and student protections. The following resources help you understand your rights—especially if the program leads to a professional license or if you are in an online course and have a concern that requires formal resolution.

Professional Licensure

Some programs at UNC Charlotte prepare students for careers that require state licensure. The University designates these as Professional Licensure Programs and provides essential disclosures to its enrolled students about licensure requirements by state.

Student Complaint Resolution

We encourage students to submit concerns in writing and document relevant events. Sharing complaints early helps ensure they meet any deadlines for filing grievances or appeals.

State Regulatory Agencies

If you’ve completed UNC Charlotte’s complaint process and still have unresolved concerns, you may contact your state’s postsecondary licensing agency for further review.