State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA)

  • Introduction
    On November 2, 2015, the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) approved Maryland as a member state to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) with an effective date of January 1, 2016. The reciprocity allows participating Maryland colleges and universities to offer distance-learning programs and courses to residents of member states without seeking state-by-state approval. The agreement further provides enhanced quality assurance and consumer protection for Maryland residents taking distance-learning programs from other member states’ institutions.

    Maryland's institutions seeking authorization to participate in SARA will apply directly to the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC). The parameters of MHEC administration are contained in the Education Article §11-105 and Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR 13B.02.05)

    Institutional Membership
    Baltimore City Community College is approved to offer distance education courses to students residing in all NC-SARA states. Students of NC-SARA institutions have expanded access to educational offerings and better resolution of student complaints in SARA states. To date, forty-nine (49) states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have joined SARA. Only California is not a SARA state. Visit the NC-SARA website for more information on the Council’s policies and procedures the College follows as a member institution.

    See the complete listing of State Contact Information for Online Students. 

    Student Complaints
    Students complaint policies and procedures are outlined in the College Catalog.

    Students who wish to file a complaint within Maryland, contact Maryland Higher Education Commission. For out-of-state complaints, refer to the list of state contact information.

  • Licensure Certification

    The College provides the following licensing for each jurisdiction in the United States for its programs that lead to licensure. If you have any questions regarding any program not listed, please contact the program coordinator for the program in question.

    • Coding Specialist Certificate
    • Dental Hygiene
    • Health Information Technology
    • Licensed Practical Nursing Certificate to Associate Degree
    • Nursing
    • Paramedicine
    • Paramedic Bridge Certificate
    • Paramedic Certificate
    • Physical Therapist Assistant
    • Practical Nursing Certificate Respiratory Care
    • Surgical Technologist https://www.bccc.edu/surgicaltech