The Office of Educational Compliance (OEC), established in January 2019, guides UNLV in meeting the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents, Nevada State, and the Federal Government requirements to be in compliance with the consumer protection laws/regulations of any other state (and/or country) where students reside while engaged in UNLV online courses/programs. This is most commonly referred to as State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).

To meet obligations in this regard, UNLV established the OEC to answer questions and provide oversight, guidance, and support for UNLV faculty, staff, students, and prospective students with matters relating to SARA, as well as consumer protection issues pertaining to fully online professional licensure programs offered outside of Nevada, and courses/programs offered to students who reside in other countries. The mission of the OEC is to foster a climate that promotes and encourages:

  • Information and awareness of pertinent regulations of regulatory bodies
  • Individual & department commitments to educational compliance
  • Processes and procedures that align with our regulatory obligations

Effective May 2014, The State of Nevada joined the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) in order to participant in a voluntary and mutually accepted unified reciprocity agreement with other state members and territories. This agreement establishes consistent consumer protection guidelines in which Nevada has agreed to abide by when offering online courses/programs in other states and territories. Effective September 2014, UNLV became an approved SARA institution in Nevada and has remained a member in good standing since joining.

UNLV’s institutional membership with NC-SARA expands its ability to offer courses and programs nationwide and meet the compliance requirements for NV, NSHE, and the federal government. For UNLV's online program availability in other states visit UNLV's SARA website.

For more information or questions, please contact OEC at sara.edcompliance@unlv.edu.