State by State Online Authorization
The U.S. Department of Education requires that any institution offering online programs to students outside of its home state must acquire authorization from the states in which students reside. Regulations vary from state to state.

Lewis University participates in the National Council for State Authorization and Reciprocity Agreements. NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. As a participating institution, Lewis University may offer online programming to students in other SARA member states without seeking authorization in that state.
In accordance with state nursing laws, the list below summarizes Lewis University’s authorization status for nursing students in all states plus the District of Columbia, indicating which online courses and programs are available to students from each state.
Prospective Students: If the online program that you are considering requires a professional license in your home state, we urge you to contact the appropriate licensing agency in your state for guidance before embarking on an academic program located outside of your state.
State | Accepting Nursing Students From That State? |
Alabama | Yes |
Alaska | Yes |
Arizona | No |
Arkansas | Yes |
California | Yes |
Colorado | Yes |
Connecticut | Yes |
Delaware | No |
Florida | Yes |
Georgia | Yes |
Hawaii | Yes |
Idaho | No |
Indiana | Yes |
Iowa | No |
Kansas | No |
Kentucky | No |
Louisiana | No |
Maine | Yes |
Maryland | No |
Massachusetts | No |
Michigan | Yes |
Minnesota | No |
Mississippi | No |
Missouri | Yes |
Montana | Yes |
State | Accepting Nursing Students From That State? |
Nebraska | Yes |
Nevada | No |
New Hampshire | Yes |
New Jersey | Yes |
New Mexico | Yes |
New York | No |
North Carolina | No |
North Dakota | No |
Ohio | Yes |
Oklahoma | Yes |
Oregon | No |
Pennsylvania | Yes |
Rhode Island | Yes |
South Carolina | Yes |
South Dakota | Yes |
Tennessee | No |
*Texas | Yes |
Utah | No |
Vermont | Yes |
Virginia | No |
Washington | No |
West Virginia | Yes |
Wisconsin | Yes |
Wyoming | Yes |
* Lewis University College of Nursing and Health Sciences is not regulated in Texas under this chapter (Chapter 132 of the Texas Education Code and Chapter 807 of the Texas Administrative Code)
