Professional Licensures & Certifications
If you're considering a program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) that leads to a professional license or certification, it's important for you to know that each state sets its own educational requirements for licensure. Each state and territory has different professional licensure and certification requirements. Students who are considering an academic program that may allow them to pursue professional licensure are strongly encouraged to check the requirements for the state or territory where they intend to practice and contact the appropriate licensing agency to seek information and additional guidance before beginning a program outside of their state. UAF works to confirm if programs meet the educational prerequisites for professional licensure or certification outside the state of Alaska. Some states have additional licensure requirements including, but not limited to, professional examinations, background checks, years of work experience, or fingerprinting.
In accordance with Federal regulations 34 CFR 668.14(b)(32) & 34 CFR 668.43 (a)(5)(v) and (c), UAF can only admit students to professional licensure programs who are located in states where we meet the educational requirements for licensure.
How UAF determines student location
For students enrolled at UAF, location is the state where a student resides and is based on the mailing address listed in UAOnline. It is the student's responsibility to update their information in UAOnline under Personal Information. Students can select Manage Your Email, Address and Phone Information to check or update their information. For prospective students, location is the state of a prospective student's mailing address provided by the student in the application at the time the student applied for admission to a UAF program. The student’s time of initial enrollment in the program will be the first semester they register in UAF courses after admission to a UAF program.
Changes in requirements
Students should be aware that state licensure requirements are subject to changes. While a program may originally meet the educational requirements for licensure, changes in requirements could impact the program's ability to meet any new educational requirements. Licensing board and contact information is provided for each state and program. Licensure information is reviewed and updated on this site annually. UAF strives to provide accurate and timely information but cannot guarantee that it reflects the most recent changes in licensure laws or regulations.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Katie Hume: Email - kjhume2@alaska.edu, Phone - 907-455-2070
Authorization by state
University of Alaska Fairbanks is authorized to offer distance education in most states under the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). Approval for UAF's participation in SARA was granted by the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) on November 13, 2017. Each state has its own unique requirements for authorization. Please see the state listing below for the UAF programs that are authorized in your state. The NC-SARA does not provide reciprocity for state professional licensing requirements. If you are planning to seek a professional license or certificate in a state other than Alaska, please see the state listings below.
International students seeking professional licensure
The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) is proud to offer global access to our online programs. However, prospective students should be aware that several countries do not formally recognize degrees or certificates earned entirely online, which could impact future employment and educational opportunities. Students living outside the United States are responsible for confirming whether an online degree will be recognized in their country of residence or any country where they intend to work; how the collection of student data may be used in that country; and whether there are any tax implications in addition to the price of tuition. Additionally, students considering an online program that leads to professional licensure should contact the relevant licensing board in the country where they intend to work to confirm whether a UAF online degree or certificate will be recognized, and whether the program meets that country’s educational requirements for licensure before starting the program.
Disclosures & Student Complaints
At the University of Alaska Fairbanks, all students — no matter their class standing or the number of credits they are taking — are valued members of our community and have the right to raise concerns or complaints without fear of retaliation. We are committed to addressing student concerns fairly and promptly. A range of offices and resources are available to support students and, if needed, to process complaints or concerns about university related matters.
SARA complaint procedures for out-of-state students are located at the bottom of this page.
For academic complaints or concerns
Find solutions for non-academic complaints or concerns
| Is your issue or complaint... | Action or resources at UAF to reach out to |
|---|---|
| ... about a violation of a written campus policy or procedure? |
Contact ORCA at uaf-orca@alaska.edu, (907) 474-7317 |
|
... about a financial aid decision, loans, scholarships, or grants? Or need help finding out how to pay for college? |
Contact the Financial Aid Office at uaf-financialaid@alaska.edu, 907-474-7256
|
|
... about discrimination, harassment, retaliation, sexual misconduct, dating and domestic violence or stalking? Or ... about accommodations due to a qualified disability? |
The Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability (ORCA) helps with a wide variety of Student concerns (ADA, harassment, discrimination, student conduct, well-being): Contact ORCA at uaf-orca@alaska.edu, (907) 474-7317 Or complete one of these forms if applicable: For Requesting Disability Accommodations |
| ... about parking, billing tuition, fees, polar express cards? | Contact the Bursar’s Office at UAF-Bursar@alaska.edu, 907-474-7384 |
| ... about the Admissions process, eligibility, process, residency or transfer credits?
|
Contact the Bursar’s Office at UAF-Bursar@alaska.edu, 907-474-7384
|
| ... about student housing?
|
Contact Residence Life at uaf-housing@alaska.edu, 907-474-7247
|
| ... looking for support for military, veterans and their families including educational
benefit advising?
|
Contact Military and Veteran Services, uaf-va@alaska.edu, 907-474-7400
|
| ... about Research Misconduct?
|
Contact the Office of Research Integrity at uaf-ori@alaska.edu, 907-474-7800 Or submit a Compliance Incident Report Form |
Not seeing what you need?
If none of the above options fit your concern or complaint type, please fill out this ORCA Student Assistance form.
SARA complaint procedures for out-of-state students
UAF is an approved SARA Institution. In compliance with SARA regulations, we have established a complaint process to address student-identified issues.
The complaint process outlined here is appropriate for:
- Reporting improper, unfair, or arbitrary treatment;
- Reporting violations of University policies or regulations;
- Truth in recruitment and marketing materials
- Complete and accurate information regarding admission requirements for courses and programs, tuition, fees, and financial aid;
- Accuracy of job placement data;
- Accuracy of information about the Institution’s accreditation and/or any programmatic/specialized accreditation held by the institution’s programs;
- Accuracy of information about whether course work meets any relevant professional licensing requirements;
- Accuracy of information regarding transfer of credit to & from other Institutions; and
- Operation of Distance Education programs consistent with practices expected by accreditors and/or the C-RAC Interregional Guidelines for the Evaluation of Distance Education.
If you have a complaint, please submit it in writing to the UAF Provost. Please include the word “Grievance” in the subject line (this helps to identify these requests more efficiently).
The SARA complaint process does not arbitrate issues of:
- Disciplinary action for Code of Conduct
- Grade disputes
- Admission decisions
- Billing and student accounts
- Financial aid appeals
For these issues, please contact the Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability.
Students have the right to address complaints to relevant external agencies. Most external complaint processes require that the student exhaust avenues of complaint internal to the institution before the external agency will consider a grievance.
If a student located in a SARA state or territory is not satisfied with the outcome of the complaint process on their home campus, they may appeal to the University’s SARA Portal Entity:
If you are residing outside of Alaska while attending UAF, you may be able to file a concern in the state in which you are residing. The State Authorization Network has compiled state complaint contacts for reference.
Thank you for continuing to be a valued member of the UAF institution and community. We will strive to resolve your concerns so you can get back to enjoying your student experience as quickly as possible. You belong here.