Out of State Students
State Authorization is a regulatory process whereby states require higher education institutions from other states to obtain the state’s approval before enrolling students, advertising, marketing, or performing other regulated activities in their state whether via distance education, practical or clinical experiences, or other face-to-face activities (e.g. student services, proctored exams, etc.).
The requirements as to which activities require authorization, the application processes, and the costs to comply vary greatly from state-to-state. UofL is seeking authorization or exemption for online learning, recruiting, advertising, physical presence (e.g. field experiences, clinicals, and practicum), and enrollment in all 50 states. Each state is prioritized by the number of current or expected students and presumed activities related to recruiting and retaining online learning students in that state. UofL activities may be limited in some states. These restrictions may not be consistent in all states, as each state has its own regulations.
The University of Louisville evaluates opportunities for authorization on a continuous basis in states where it is not currently authorized. Due to a number of factors and considerations, UofL cannot guarantee that authorization will be obtained for certain programs in a certain state. Please note if UofL is not authorized in a particular state, you are taking the following risks if you enroll in that program:
- you may be unable to sit for local licensing in that state
- you may be ineligible for consumer protection in that state
- you may be ineligible for financial aid in that state
- you may not be able to complete field placements (practicum, internship, etc.) in that state. This could impact licensure or recognition of the degree to meet particular requirements in that state.
Therefore, if you decide to enroll in any of the University of Louisville’s programs from an unauthorized state, please be aware that you are taking a risk that you may not be able to complete that program or use any of the credit earned in that program should you decide to pursue licensing in that field in that state. Please note that the risks listed above are not exhaustive.
Important note for relocating during the course of a program
Prospective and current students should keep in mind that licensing and authorization requirements vary by state and that relocating during the course of a program to another state could impact whether that student can continue in the course, meet the eligibility requirements of that state, and/or receive financial aid funding. Even if UofL is authorized or exempt from authorization to provide distance education in your state, there may be limitations for whether you are able to complete clinicals in your state. Therefore, the University of Louisville cannot guarantee clinical placement outside of the state of Kentucky for students who relocate or live out of state. Please contact the Coordinator of Academic Services, at jdjack05@louisville.edu to check for authorization and licensure eligibility requirements if you relocate during the course of a program
Licensure Disclosure
MSN, DNP and Post Graduate Certificate graduates from the UofL School of Nursing are prepared to apply for APRN certification in their population track upon graduation; however, educational preparation does not guarantee professional licensure. If you have questions regarding Kentucky APRN licensure, please contact the Kentucky Board of Nursing (kbn.ky.gov/aprnlicenseinfo/Pages/default.aspx). For APRN licensure questions in other states, please contact the respective state board of nursing (ncsbn.org/contact-bon.htm).
