Licensing and Authorization
Licensing and Authorization
State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA)
Under federal law, an institution of higher education must be authorized by each state in which it offers distance education. New Mexico Junior College is an approved participant in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) via the NM Higher Education Department and the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA).
“SARA is an agreement among member states, districts and territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offerings 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. SARA is overseen by a National Council and administered by four regional education compacts.”
As a participating institution, NMJC Distance Learning Courses/Program will need to follow the Interregional Guidelines for the Evaluation of Distance Education programs.
NMJC Professional Licensure Programs by State
The U.S. Department of Education Code of Federal Regulations requires colleges and universities to communicate publicly and directly to prospective and current students if programs leading to a license or certification meet other state's requirements.
NMJC offers a number of degree and certificate programs that prepare students to be eligible for professional licensure or certification that qualify them for their chosen career. The chart below provides information about how the degree/certificate programs offered at NMJC meet state requirements across the nation.
Even when graduates are eligible for a national certification exam, there are instances when individual states have requirements beyond those that New Mexico has mandated.
Key to the chart [click here to download the state-by-state table [excel sheet]
Yes - NMJC has determined that its curriculum meets the state educational requirements
for licensure or certification.
No - NMJC has determined that its curriculum does not meet the state educational requirements
for licensure or certification.
Finally, NMJC makes every effort to ensure state requirements for certification or licensure are up to date. However, these requirements may change. Because only state agencies determine whether an academic program meets requirements for certification or licensure, NMJC cannot guarantee an individual’s attainment of any certificate or license.
Submit Student Complaint to NMJC or New Mexico Higher Education Department