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Out-of-State Online Students

National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)

Owens Community College offers courses, associate degrees and certificate programs that may lead to professional licensure and/or certification. Completion of a program listed below leads to professional licensure, registration or certification that meets requirements for the State of Ohio. Requirements for other states might vary and there is no guarantee of transfer between states.

Student Location

If you live in a state other than Ohio or intend to move to a state other than Ohio in the future, and want to use the licensure you received from Owens Community College in that new state (e.g., sit for an exam), then please be aware there may be additional requirements that you have to complete to do so. These requirements are separate from Owens Community College and completion of a course, degree, or certificate from Owens Community College does not guarantee transfer of licensure to other states.

It is recommended that you review the documents for your program below and contact the appropriate administering body and/or Dr. Michael Pfahl (Associate Vice President, Academic Affairs) at michael_pfahl@owens.edu or (567) 661-7270.
National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)

NC-SARA Guidelines

Owens Community College is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), which permits the enrollment of out-of-state students in online educational programs. NC-SARA provides a voluntary regional approach to the oversight of distance education. Owens is permitted to offer online education to residents in all fifty states.

Acceptance into an educational program or enrollment in course(s) is based on a student’s physical location at the time of taking a course at Owens Community College. NC SARA Policy 3357:15-18-13 applies to all students taking credit-bearing courses at Owens Community College, including, but not restricted to, in-person, online, and military students. Please note that NC-SARA does not cover professional licensing board approvals. Prospective online students interested in professional license programs should first contact the appropriate licensing agency in their home state to determine eligibility.

Federal and state regulations require institutions of higher education to determine the state in which a student is located at the time of a student’s initial enrollment and/or upon formal receipt of a change of location from a student. Owens Community College must determine a student’s location and disclose to a student state-specific professional licensure and/or certification information for the state of location and discuss whether or not the educational programs and curriculum at Owens Community College meet the licensure and/or certification requirements in the state of Ohio and meet the requirements for a student’s state of location.

Owens Community College uses a student’s address that is on file in the student information system (SIS) as a student’s physical location. Click here to see the Student Location Determination Policy.  A student’s physical location is recorded at the time of enrollment and remains active and in effect unless a student notifies Owens Community College’s Records Office personnel with an official notification of change.

Out-of-State Complaint Process

Owens Community College is committed to resolving student complaints in an expeditious, fair and friendly manner. Students residing outside of Ohio should resolve complaints or other issues related to NC SARA by completing this form. The overall Owens Community College complaint process for NC SARA is here.

Owens personnel work diligently to find positive outcomes to student concerns. However, please try to exhaust all possible avenues of complaint resolution before going outside of the college. However, if a complaint cannot be resolved through our processes, then you could file a complaint with your state. In compliance with federal Department of Education regulations, Owens provides a list of state agencies with contact information for each state. You may also contact our accrediting agency, The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Higher Learning Commission.

Program Information and Disclosures

Owens Community College offers a number of associate degree programs and certificates that lead to professional licensure and/or certification. The following programs may not meet professional licensure requirements for states outside of Ohio.

Please click the desired program link below or check with the associated academic department for more information. Any program listed as undetermined for a given state means that Owens Community College will not enroll a person from that state into the program per NC SARA guidelines.

Programs Leading to Licensure

Certificates Leading to Licensure