State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA)

The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) is an interstate agreement that establishes uniform standards for the delivery of postsecondary distance education programs across participating states. Idaho’s participation in SARA helps support student access to online and distance learning while ensuring institutional accountability and consumer protection.

SARA streamlines authorization requirements for eligible institutions and provides consistent oversight for out-of-state delivery of academic programs.

Idaho has been accepted as part of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) through the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education (WICHE).

The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement is an agreement among member states, districts and territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering 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.

Idaho institutions that meet the qualifications of SARA and whose home state is Idaho may apply through the Idaho State Board of Education (SBOE) to become a SARA approved and admitted institution. Applicants must complete a SARA Institutional Application, and pay $1,500 state fee (state fee is subject to change). The state application fee and all supporting documents are due at the time of your submission. Checks must be made payable to the Idaho State Board of Education. Mail application and fee to:

Office of the State Board of Education
ATTN: Tamara Baysinger
PO Box 83720
650 W State Street, Suite 307
Boise, ID 83720

Upon annual state approval, institutions register and pay an annual SARA fee to the National Council for SARA.

Visit the NC-SARA site for a complete list of approved SARA institutions.

Complaint Process for Idaho approved SARA Institutions

Student grievances must exhaust institution’s dispute resolution process. All complaints regarding student grades or conduct violations are governed by the institution and the laws of the institution’s home state.

If a student is not satisfied with the outcome of the institutional process, or if the issue is not resolved at the institutional level, the student may appeal to the Office of the State Board of Education.

Students who wish to appeal a SARA institution’s decision, must submit a formal student complaint form, and submit all appeals documentation to the Office of the State Board of Education at the address provided on complaint form.