Professional Licensure and State Authorization

Purdue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The Higher Learning Commission is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Purdue is committed to complying with all states’ regulations for its Purdue University Online learning programs. This applies to Purdue University Online learning programs ONLY. Students from these states who are interested in our on campus programs are encouraged to contact Purdue University.

Welcome to State Authorization

Purdue University participates in federal financial aid programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. Therefore, Purdue University is required to comply with the Program Integrity Misrepresentation rules published in 2010 and State Authorization regulations (which vary from state to state) in application to online/distance education programs. The regulations require institutions of higher education to obtain approval from the states in which they provide postsecondary education programs. The regulations allow authorization to come directly from a state or through a “state authorization reciprocity agreement”. Purdue University, located in Indiana, is currently authorized by or pursuing authorization from all states.

Purdue University participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), which is an agreement among states that establishes national standards for the interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. Through SARA, Purdue may provide distance education to residents of any other SARA member state without seeking authorization from each SARA member state. All states, other than California, participate in SARA, and Purdue has received approval or exemptions from them. Courses and programs incorporating an ‘experiential learning’ experience are considered distance education. Under SARA, an ‘experiential learning’ experience means the student reports directly to a supervisor, mentor, faculty member or other qualified professional, located in the host state, who has a direct or indirect reporting responsibility to the institution where the student is enrolled, whether or not credit is granted. Examples of ‘experiential learning’ experiences include internships, clinicals, student teaching, or the like.

We urge you to review the regulations regarding authorization of your specific state if you are all of the following:

• a U.S. citizen
• do not live in Indiana
• are thinking about enrolling in a Purdue University online program

If you become a Purdue University student, you are responsible for checking program authorization and licensure requirements in your state of residence. Rules and regulations vary by state. If you move to a new state, you are responsible for ensuring our program is approved in your new state.