State authorization refers to federal, state and professional licensing board regulations that impact educational activities offered across state lines and programs that lead to professional licensure or certification. Compliance with these regulations ensures that an Ohio State degree will be recognized, Ohio State students will be eligible to sit for licensure in states other than Ohio, and Ohio State students have access to state licensure information.
Authorization requirements vary by state and program and may impact university operations. At Ohio State, we have a team dedicated to researching regulations, seeking and maintaining compliance, and communicating changes in authorization status.
The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is a national initiative that increases student access to distance education courses and programs while maintaining compliance with state regulations. Institutions participating in SARA can offer educational opportunities in all 49 SARA member states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico without seeking individual approval in each state.
Ohio State was approved as a SARA institution in 2015. Participation expands educational opportunities for Ohio State students, decreases institutional risk, and reduces costs associated with offering Ohio State programs nationally.
To learn more about SARA, visit nc-sara.org.
National Council of State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) Information
Colorado On-ground Field Experiences - Workers' Compensation Insurance Requirements
Colorado law requires unpaid student interns to be covered by workers' compensation insurance. Specifically, Colorado Revised Statute 8-40-302 states:
(7) (b) If the student placed in an on-the-job training program does not receive any pay or remuneration from the employer, the educational institution sponsoring the student in the cooperative education or student internship program shall insure the student through the institution's workers' compensation and liability insurance or enter into negotiations with the employer for the purpose of arriving at a reasonable level of compensation to the employer for the employer's expense of providing workers' compensation and liability insurance while such student is participating in on-the-job training with said employer. This paragraph (b) shall not apply to a student teacher participating in a program authorized pursuant to article 62 of title 22, C.R.S.
(c) As used in this subsection (7), "cooperative education or student internship program" means a program sponsored by an educational institution in which a student is taught through a coordinated combination of specialized in-the-school instruction provided through an educational institution by qualified teachers and on-the-job training provided through a local business, agency, or organization or any governmental agency in cooperation with the educational institution.
Q: Can I complete a field experience in Colorado?
A: Yes, but prior to beginning a field experience at a Colorado facility, you should work with your internship coordinator to ensure that Colorado worker's compensation insurance requirements are met.
The Colorado Workers' Compensation Act requires unpaid student interns to be covered by workers' compensation insurance. Ohio State is not able to add students to its institutional workers' compensation policy and students may not provide their own workers' compensation insurance.