State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement

Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) via the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) and the NM Higher Education Department.

Background

The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) helps prospective and current students' access to distance education opportunities and ensures compliance standards with state regulatory agencies.

SARA is an agreement among member states, districts, and territories that set national standards for interstate offering of post-secondary distance education courses and programs. SARA allows institutions to provide online courses outside of their own state borders by seeking and maintaining state approvals via a streamlined process.

How NC-SARA Affects CNM Students

State Authorization regulations determine the educational activities CNM is permitted to offer outside of New Mexico. As a participating institution, CNM Courses/Programs need to follow the Interregional Guidelines for the Evaluation of Distance Education.

You may be impacted by state authorization regulations if: 

  • You are located outside of New Mexico and are interested in taking online courses at CNM. 
  • You physically relocate to any other state or territory during your enrollment at CNM. 

If one of the above scenarios applies to you, or you have questions about educational activities occurring outside of New Mexico, please contact Christine Goshorn.

Attestations: In order to accept the application and enroll a prospective student who lives in a “does not meet” state, the institution must obtain a written attestation from the prospective student indicating their intention to seek employment in a “does meet” state upon graduation. This will require the institution to “verify” that the other state is a “does meet” state. Otherwise, the institution must deny admission into the program. This new requirement is only necessary at the time of initial enrollment (not during the term of the program).

Sample Attestation Statement (PDF)

Division Contact Info

Christine Goshorn 
Executive Director 
Innovation and Instructional Support 
[email protected]

Disclaimer

CNM 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, CNM cannot guarantee an individual’s attainment of any certificate or license.

Related Links

NM HED NC-SARA/ Distance Education

State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement

Student Complaint Process

State Agency Contact Information