State Authorization of Distance Education
States have varying rules, requirements and regulations that govern online (distance) education offered by out-of-state institutions. These rules require higher education institutions that offer distance education to obtain exemption, approval, authorization, or other certification from the relevant state agencies. Many of these regulations also apply to field experiences (e.g., internships, practicums, clinicals, etc.) in the state. Pacific College monitors state authorization requirements in each state and continues to make good faith efforts to secure the appropriate authorization and/or licensure to offer online programs in each state in which it enrolls students. Please check this webpage for continual updates as state laws/rules/regulations are frequently subject to change.
Relocation:
Should a student relocate during the course of a program to another state, it may negatively impact the student’s ability to remain in the program, meet the state licensure requirements, and/or continue to receive financial aid funding. Prior to considering any state relocation, it is very important that you contact your program officials to discuss authorization and licensure eligibility requirements.
International Students: Pacific College of Health and Science enrolls nonimmigrant alien students in online programs not leading to professional licensure or certification on a case-by-case basis. Please note that international students, including U.S. citizens living abroad, cannot enroll in any nursing programs which are intended to prepare students for licensure and employment in the United States or have clinical practice requirements. Prior to enrolling, it is very important that you contact program officials to discuss eligibility and program requirements.
Updated January 2024
Cannot Enroll in Program if State is Listed: If a student’s permanent residence is in a state listed below, the student cannot enroll in that program – e.g., cannot take the Health Coach Certificate if the student’s permanent residence is in Alabama. Please note that the following programs are not offered in the following states:
Master of Science Nursing (MSN)
Annual enrollment only for Fall semesters
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- District of Columbia
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Idaho
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Washington
- Wisconsin
Bachelor of Science Nursing (RN-BSN)
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- District of Columbia
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Nebraska
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Washington
- Wisconsin
Holistic Nursing Certificate
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- District of Columbia
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Wisconsin
Bachelor of Science Public Health Education and Promotion (BS PHEP)
Medical Cannabis Certificate
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- District of Columbia
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Oklahoma
- Rhode Island
- Wisconsin
FACE Certificate
Annual enrollment only for Winter semesters
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- District of Columbia
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
Transitional Doctorate Acupuncture/Chinese Medicine (T-DAc/T-DAcCHM)
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- District of Columbia
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Oklahoma
- Rhode Island
Master of Science Health and Human Promotion (MS HHP)
-
- Not accepting new enrollments from all states as of Spring 2023
Health Coach Certificate (HCC)
-
- Not accepting new enrollments from all states as of Spring 2023
Master of Science Medical Cannabis Therapeutics (MS MCT)
Not accepting new enrollments from all states as of Winter 2024.
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State Higher Education Agencies and Disclaimers:
Alabama Commission on Higher Education
100 North Union Street
Montgomery, AL 36104
(334) 242-1998
ache.edu
Alabama Community College System
P.O. Box 302130
Montgomery, AL 36130
(334) 293-4500
www.accs.edu
Street Address:
135 South Union Street
Montgomery, AL 36104-4340
Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education
P.O. Box 110505
Juneau, AK 99811-0505
(907) 465-6741
acpesecure.alaska.gov
Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education
1740 W. Adams Street, Suite 3008
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 542-5709
www.azppse.gov
Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board
423 Main Street, Suite 400
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
(501) 371-2000
www.adhe.edu
Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board certification does not constitute an endorsement of any institution or degree program. Such certification merely indicates that certain criteria have been met under the rules and regulations of institutional and program certification as defined in Arkansas Coe §6-61-301. The student should be aware that these degree programs may not transfer. The transfer of course/degree credit is determined by the receiving institution.
California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
P.O. Box 98018
West Sacramento, CA 95798-0818
(916) 431-6959
www.bppe.ca.gov
Physical Address
2535 Capital Oaks Drive, Suite 400
Sacramento, CA 95833
Colorado Commission on Higher Education
1560 Broadway, Suite 1600
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 862-3001
https://highered.colorado.gov
Connecticut Office of Higher Education
Emily Bjornberg, Senior Consultant Academic Affairs
450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 707
Hartford, Connecticut 06103
(860) 947-1824 (office)
[email protected]
Delaware Department of Education
401 Federal Street, Suite 2
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 735-4000
https://www.doe.k12.de.us/
District of Columbia Higher Education Licensure Commission
1050 First Street, NE, 5th Floor
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 727-6436
https://helc.osse.dc.gov/
Florida Department of Education
Commission for Independent Education
325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1414
Tallahassee, FL 32399
(850) 245-3212
http://www.fldoe.org/
Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission
2082 E. Exchange Place, Suite 220
Tucker, GA 30084-4113
(770) 414-3300
https://gnpec.georgia.gov/
Hawaii Postsecondary Education Authorization Program
P.O. Box 541
Honolulu, HI 96809
(808) 586-7327
https://cca.hawaii.gov/hpeap/
Idaho State Board of Education
650 W. State Street, 3rd Floor
Boise, ID 83720-0037
(208) 334-2270
https://boardofed.idaho.gov/
Illinois Board of Higher Education
1 North Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 333
Springfield, IL 62701-1377
(217) 782-2551
https://www.ibhe.org/
Indiana Commission on Higher Education
101 West Ohio Street, Suite 300
Indianapolis, IN 46204-4206
(317) 464-4400
www.in.gov/che/
Iowa College Student Aid Commission
475 S.W. Fifth Street, Suite D
Des Moines, IA 50309
(877) 272-4456 option 4
https://www.iowacollegeaid.gov/
Kansas Board of Regents
1000 SW Jackson Street, Suite 520
Topeka, KS 66612
(757) 430-4240
https://www.kansasregents.org/
Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
1024 Capital Center Drive, Suite 320
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 573-1555
http://cpe.ky.gov/
Louisiana Board of Regents
1201 N. 3rd Street, Suite #6
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
(225) 342-4253
https://regents.la.gov/
Maine Department of Education
23 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 624-6600
https://www.maine.gov/doe/home
Maryland Higher Education Commission
6 N. Liberty Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 767-3301
https://mhec.state.md.us/Pages/default.aspx
Massachusetts Department of Higher Education
1 Ashburton Place, Room 1401
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 994-6950
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-higher-education
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
611 W. Ottawa
P.O. Box 30004
Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 335-9700
https://www.michigan.gov/lara/
Minnesota Office of Higher Education
1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 350
St. Paul, MN 55108-5227
(651) 642-0567
https://www.ohe.state.mn.us/
Pacific College of Health and Science is registered with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education pursuant to sections 136A.61 to 136A.71. Registration is not an endorsement of the institution. Credits earned at the institution may not transfer to all other institutions.
Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation
3825 Ridgewood Road
Jackson, MS 39211
(601) 432-6372
http://www.mississippi.edu/mcca/
Missouri Department of Higher Education
205 Jefferson Street
Jefferson City, MO 65201
(573) 751-3940
https://dhewd.mo.gov/
Montana Board of Regents
2500 Broadway Street
P.O. Box 203201
Helena, MT 59620-3201
(406) 444-6570
https://mus.edu/board/
Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
P.O. Box 95005
Lincoln, NE 68509-5005
(402) 471-2847
https://ccpe.nebraska.gov
Physical Address
140 N. 8th Street, Suite 300
Lincoln, NE 68508
Nevada Commission on Postsecondary Education
8778 S. Maryland Pkwy, Suite 115
Las Vegas, NV 89123
(702) 486-7330
http://cpe.nv.gov/
New Hampshire Department of Education
101 Pleasant Street
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 271-0257
https://www.education.nh.gov/
New Jersey Commission on Higher Education
20 West State Street
P.O. Box 542
Trenton, NJ 08625-0542
(609) 292-7225
https://www.aacc.nche.edu/college/new-jersey-commission-of-higher-education/
New Mexico Higher Education Department
2044 Galisteo Street, #4
Santa Fe, NM 87505
https://ppsd.smapply.io/
New York State Education Department: Office of College and University Evaluation
89 Washing Avenue, Room 960
Education Building Annex
Albany, New York 12234
(518) 474-1551
http://www.nysed.gov/college-university-evaluation
Board of Governors for the University of North Carolina
910 Raleigh Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27515
(919) 962-4558
https://www.northcarolina.edu/offices-and-services/academic-affairs/licensure-department/
North Dakota University System
2000 44th Street S.W., Suite 301
Fargo, ND 58103
https://ndus.edu
Ohio Board of Regents
25 South Front Street
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 466-6000
https://www.ohiohighered.org/
Oklahoma Regents of Higher Education
655 Research Parkway, Suite 200
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
(405) 225-9100
https://www.okhighered.org/
Oregon Office of Degree Authorization
3225 25th Street SE
Salem, OR 97302
(503) 378-5690
[email protected]
https://www.oregon.gov/highered/institutions-programs/private/Pages/office-degree-authorization.aspx
Students should attempt to resolve any grievances they may have with their institution first. Should attempts to resolve these problems with appropriate school officials fail, or should the student be dissatisfied with the final outcome of the college complaint process, then the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC), can respond to a formal complaint. Students may contact the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, 3225 25th St. SE, Salem, OR 97302 or by sending an email to [email protected]. Students may also access the HECC complaints web page.
Pennsylvania Department of Education
333 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17126
(717) 783-6788
https://www.education.pa.gov/Pages/default.aspx
Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education
560 Jefferson Boulevard, Suite 100
Warwick, RI 02886
(401) 736-1100
https://www.riopc.edu/
South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
1122 Lady Street, Suite 300
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 737-3476
https://www.che.sc.gov/
South Dakota Secretary of State
500 East Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-3537
https://sdsos.gov
Tennessee Higher Education Commission
404 James Robertson Parkway, Suite 1900
Nashville, TN 37243
(615) 741-5293
https://www.tn.gov/thec.html
Any authorization must be renewed each year and is based on an evaluation by minimum standards concerning quality of education, ethical business practices, health and safety, and fiscal responsibility. Any grievances not resolved on the institutional level may be forwarded to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
P.O. Box 12788
Austin, TX 78711
(512) 427-6223
Physical Address:
1200 East Anderson Lane
Austin, TX 78752
http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/
Texas Workforce Commission Career Schools and Colleges
101 E. 15th Street
Austin, TX 78778-0001
(512) 463-2222
https://twc.texas.gov/
Utah Division of Consumer Protection
160 East 300 South, Second Floor
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
(801) 530-6601
https://consumerprotection.utah.gov/
Vermont Agency of Education
219 North Main Street, Suite 402
Barre, VT 05641
(802) 479-1030
https://education.vermont.gov/
Virginia State Council of Higher Education
James Moore Building
101 N. 14th Street
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 225-2600
https://www.schev.edu/
Washington Student Achievement Council
917 Lakeridge Way S.W.
Olympia, WA 98504-3430
(306) 753-7800
https://www.wsac.wa.gov/
For Washington State residents seeking information and resources about student loan repayment or seeking to submit a complaint relating to your student loans or student loan servicer, please visit www.wsac.wa.gov/loan-advocacy or contact the Student Loan Advocate at [email protected]. The student loan advocate supports current and future student loan borrowers. Coordinating with other state agencies, the loan advocate: addresses student borrower complaints; provides information and resources about student loan repayment; and educates the public about the rights and responsibilities of student loan borrowers. Contact financial aid to talk to the student loan advocate.
West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
1018 Kanawha Blvd E., Suite 700
Charleston, WV 25301-2800
(304) 558-2101
http://www.wvhepc.edu/
Wisconsin Educational Approval Board
P.O. Box 8366
Madison, WI 53708-8366
(608) 266-1996
https://dsps.wi.gov/pages/programs/educationalapproval/default.aspx
Physical Address:
431 Charmany Drive, #102
Madison, WI 53719
Wyoming Department of Education
2300 Capitol Avenue
Hathaway Building, 2nd Floor
Cheyenne, WY 82002-0050
(307) 777-7690
https://edu.wyoming.gov/