New Oklahoma Authorization Requirements Starting 2025
At their Dec. 5, 2024, meeting, the State Regents approved revisions to the Institutional Accreditation and State Authorization (PDF, 160k) policy to align policy with changes to 70 O.S. § 4103 (SB 550), 70 O.S. § 4104 (HB 4050) and OAC 610:10 (Academic Affairs), 1 through 6. Consistent with the new statutory requirements and Oklahoma administrative rules, OSRHE policy now requires 1) authorization for online-only distance education from non-SARA participating, out-of-state institutions, 2) annual authorization fees for all institutions, and 3) annual payments into a student tuition recovery fund for private institutions, AND provides policy guidance for religious degree-granting institutions’ exemption from Oklahoma statutory accreditation and authorization requirements.
Degree-Granting Institutions
To offer degree programs or degree-related instruction in Oklahoma, private and out-of-state public institutions must apply to the OSRHE for authorization and be approved prior to opening a physical location or offering degree programs or degree-related instruction to Oklahoma students by distance education.
Non-Degree Granting Institutions
In-state and out-of-state private, postsecondary institutions that do not grant degrees are subject to the requirements of the Oklahoma Board of Private Vocational Schools (OBPVS).
Such institutions that offer both non-degree education and one or more degree programs must be licensed by the OBPVS for their non-degree activity and authorized by the OSRHE for their degree program(s). The institution must meet the eligibility requirements to apply for authorization in Oklahoma and will be charged the full cost of authorization and payment into the student tuition recovery fund.
Authorized Institutions
Currently authorized institutions must apply and be approved for re-authorization under the new policy before the start of their fall 2025 semester. See “Re-Authorization” under State Authorization Procedures below.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to apply for authorization in Oklahoma, a degree-granting institution must:
- Be institutionally accredited by an agency recognized by the secretary of the USDE as a reliable authority as to the quality of education or training offered by institutions of higher education for the purposes of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. The accreditor of institutions that offer distance education in Oklahoma must be recognized by the USDE as an accreditor of distance education.
- Be licensed, approved, authorized or otherwise recognized to legally offer degree-related instruction by the federally recognized authorization entity in its home state or applicable federal or tribal approval, authorization, or licensing entity.
Accreditation is Required
There is no process by which an unaccredited institution can achieve accreditation while operating as a degree-granting institution in Oklahoma. Institutions that are not fully accredited as described above are not eligible to apply for authorization, and an application from such an institution will not be accepted.
Authorization Is Now Required for Distance Education
Starting with the fall 2025 semester, authorization is required for all out-of-state degree-granting institutions to offer distance education in Oklahoma. Institutions that are offering distance education in Oklahoma under the prior policy (no authorization was required) may continue to do so through the last day of their last summer 2025 session without further authorization.
However, to continue offering distance education in Oklahoma starting the fall 2025 semester and after, institutions must obtain authorization. Institutions that do not obtain authorization under the new policy will cease to be authorized at the beginning of the fall 2025 semester.
To Discontinue Offering Distance Education
Institutions that do not wish to continue offering degree programs in Oklahoma under the new policy must notify OSRHE by submitting a complete Discontinue Distance Education in Oklahoma form (DOCX, 48k) to ok.stateauth@osrhe.edu.
Institutions that submit this form will retain limited authorization specifically to teach out students who are enrolled in a degree program at the institution as of spring 2025 through completion of the student’s degree program. This limited authorization applies only to students who are enrolled in a degree program on or before Feb. 1, 2025.
State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements
The only approved state authorization reciprocity agreement in Oklahoma is the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA). SARA-participating institutions do not require additional authorization for activities conducted in Oklahoma that are within the scope of the SARA Policy Manual.
Such institutions that wish to conduct activities in Oklahoma outside the scope of the SARA Policy Manual should contact ok.stateauth@osrhe.edu to learn if the activity requires authorization.
Authorization Exemption for Religious Degree-Granting Institutions
A private or out-of-state public degree-granting institution that meets the requirements of 70 O.S. § 4104 (B)(1) and (2) is exempt from Oklahoma’s statutory requirements for degree-granting institutions to be authorized by the OSRHE and accredited by an accreditor recognized by the secretary of the U.S.D.E. (70 O.S. § 4104 (A) and 70 O.S. § 4103 (B)).
To qualify for the exemption, an institution must meet the following criteria:
- The institution’s primary purpose is to provide religious training or theological education.
- The institution is exempt from taxation pursuant to the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C., Section 501(c)(3).
- The institution offers in Oklahoma only degrees that are designed to prepare a graduate for a role in a religious organization, including religious education institutions (religious degree).
- The institution’s degree titles offered under this exemption include a religious modifier on the degree diploma, the student’s transcript, and wherever the degree title appears in official school documents and publications.
An institution that meets these criteria does not need to apply or be approved for the exemption; the exemption automatically applies.
Request to Be Listed as a Religious Degree-Granting Institution on This Website
An institution that wishes to be listed as a religious degree-granting institution on this website can do so by emailing a complete Religious Degree-Granting Institution form (DOCX, 36k) to ok.stateauth@osrhe.edu.
Providing this request to the OSRHE does not constitute an application for approval of authorization to offer religious degrees in Oklahoma, and OSRHE listing the institution on its website does not constitute approval or disapproval of authorization for the institution to offer religious degrees in Oklahoma.
The list is provided for information only and only institutions that qualify for this exemption and make the request are listed. An exempt institution can operate in Oklahoma under the exemption without being listed; therefore, there may be many such institutions operating legally in Oklahoma that are not listed.
Military-Connected Students Temporarily Stationed in Oklahoma
Out-of-state institutions are not required to be authorized to offer degree programs or coursework to military-connected students who are temporarily stationed at a military installation in Oklahoma.
Offering Degree Programs on Military Installations in Oklahoma
Out-of-state institutions are required to be authorized to offer degree programs or coursework to Oklahoma residents, including those who are employed by or otherwise connected to the military installation.
Authorization Fees
Starting with applications for the fall 2025 semester, annual fees will be charged to all institutions applying and approved for authorization in Oklahoma.
Application Fee
$500 per application for initial authorization and re-authorization
Authorization Fee
$2,500 for initial authorization
$2,000 for re-authorization
- The authorization fee is in addition to the application fee.
- All institutions applying for authorization for the first time will be charged the initial authorization fee, regardless of whether they have been offering distance education in Oklahoma prior to 2025.
- Institutions currently authorized for the 2024-25 academic year will be charged the re-authorization fee.
Location Fee
$1,000 per instructional location in Oklahoma, annually
- The location fee is in addition to the application and authorization fees.
- The location fee does not apply to:
- An Oklahoma school where the institution offers concurrent enrollment or religious instruction; or
- Non-instructional locations the institution maintains for administrative purposes that students do not attend.
Student Tuition Recovery Fund Payments
Starting with applications for the fall 2025 semester, all private institutions approved for authorization to operate in Oklahoma will be required to submit payments for a student tuition recovery fund. This payment is in addition to the application, authorization, and location fees.
Initial Authorization
Payment: $2,500
Re-authorization
Payment: 0.25 percent of the institution’s annual gross tuition revenue received from Oklahoma students, or $250, whichever is greater
All institutions applying for authorization and for re-authorization for fall 2025 will be charged the initial authorization payment of $2,500, regardless of their authorization status prior to 2025.
Supervised Field Experiences Do Not Require Authorization
Authorization is not required for out-of-state, degree-granting institutions to place students into supervised field experiences in Oklahoma, including student teaching or practica, clinical rotations, internships, externships, etc.
Supervised Field Experiences DO Require Reporting
Institutions placing students in supervised field experiences are required to report the placements. To do so, complete and submit the Supervised Field Placement form (PDF, k) to ok.stateauth@osrhe.edu.
Out-of-state, degree-granting institutions may conduct the following activities in Oklahoma without prior authorization:
- Overnight field trips
- Sports games or events
- Social gatherings of students or alumni
- Students participating in professional or student organization conferences or similar events
- Participation in college fairs or other assembly of institutions in Oklahoma for the sole purpose of marketing the institution to prospective students
However, any activity consisting of, related to, or supporting taking payment, signing a contract or agreement with, or enrolling an Oklahoma student at a college fair in Oklahoma constitutes offering a degree program in Oklahoma and requires authorization.
Activities Exempt From Authorization Form (DOCX, 50k)
Related Statutes, Rules and Policy
- Oklahoma state law: 70 O.S. § 4103 and 70 O.S. § 4104
- Oklahoma administrative rules: OAC 610:10 (Academic Affairs), 1 through 6
- OSRHE policy: 3.1, Institutional Accreditation and State Authorization (PDF, 160k)
- Federal regulations: Code of Federal Regulations, Title 34, Subtitle B, Chapter VI, Part 600 (34 CFR 600)
In the event of any conflict between the information presented on this page and any state or federal law or regulations or OSRHE policy, the law/regulation/policy will control. This list is non-inclusive.
Procedures for Authorization
To apply for authorization or re-authorization to operate in Oklahoma, an institution must meet the eligibility requirement and submit a complete authorization application, the application fee, and required accompanying materials. An application that is submitted without all required information and materials or the required application fee is incomplete. An incomplete application is not in compliance with OSRHE policy.
Institutions will be provided official written notification of all OSRHE staff determinations and State Regents’ actions regarding the institution’s authorization status.
By submitting a signed application to the OSRHE, the institution agrees to abide by all requirements and stipulations in OSRHE policy and in the application. Applications from institutions that are not eligible for authorization will not be accepted.
1. Complete and Submit Application for Initial Authorization
The application packet for initial authorization will be provided to institutions upon request. To request one, send an email to ok.stateauth@osrhe.edu. The packet will include instructions for completing and submitting the application and an invoice for the application fee.
An application from an institution that is not eligible for authorization as required in OSRHE policy will not be accepted.
2. Application Fee for Initial Authorization
All applications must be accompanied by payment of the application fee. An application received without the application fee is out of compliance with OSRHE policy and will not be reviewed until the application fee is received. See Fees and Student Tuition Recovery Fund Payments for current fee amount. The application fee must be paid by paper check.
If the application fee is not received within 90 days of receipt of the application, the application will expire, and a new application will be required for the institution to be considered for authorization. The institution is responsible for keeping track of this deadline; OSRHE will issue no alerts or notices of its approach.
Once received, the application fee is non-refundable, regardless of whether the application is submitted to the State Regents or the State Regents approve it.
An application fee from an institution that is not eligible for authorization as required in OSRHE policy will not be accepted.
3. Review of the Application for Initial Authorization
OSRHE staff will review complete applications to ensure the application and institution are in compliance with OSRHE policy. On determination of compliance, staff will submit the application to the State Regents at their earliest available regularly scheduled meeting.
4. Incomplete or Non-Compliant Applications for Initial Authorization
A complete application for initial authorization that is determined not to demonstrate institutional compliance with OSRHE policy will not be presented to the State Regents. The written notification of the determination of non-compliance will include the reasons for the determination.
The institution will have 20 calendar days from the date of the notification to submit an appeal of the determination of non-compliance. If the appeal materials are received before the end of the 20th day and achieve and/or indicate compliance with OSRHE policy, the corrected application and/or evidence of full compliance will be presented to the State Regents at their next available regularly scheduled meeting.
If no communication is received from the institution by the end of the 20th day or if the materials and information the institution submits do not achieve and/or indicate compliance with OSRHE policy, the determination of non-compliance will stand and the application and will expire. No fee will be refunded. An institution that wishes to continue to pursue authorization from the OSRHE must submit a new application with a new application fee.
5. Notification of Approval and Effective Date for Initial Authorization
Institutions will be provided with written notification of State Regents’ approval of the authorization application which will include invoices for required fees and, for private institutions, payment into the student tuition recovery fund. The institution’s initial authorization will be effective on the date that OSRHE receives the required fees and payments, and it may not conduct any marketing or student enrollment activities in Oklahoma or any other degree-related activity until its authorization becomes effective. On receipt of payment, the institution will be provided written notification that its authorization is effective, which will include the term of authorization, and the institution will be listed as such on the OSRHE website.
6. Authorization Fees and STRF Payments for Initial Authorization
Authorization fees and payments are in addition to the application fee. All authorization fees and payments are due upon receipt of the invoice. A separate invoice will be provided for authorization fees and for payment into the student tuition recovery fund. All payments must be made by paper check. Further instructions for payment will be included with the invoice. See “Fees and Student Tuition Recovery Fund Payments” for current fees and payments.
7. Non-Payment of Fees and Payments for Initial Authorization
If full payment is not received within 30 days from the date of the invoice, the institution’s authorization approval will be subject to revocation. The institution is responsible for keeping track of this deadline; OSRHE will issue no alerts or notices of its approach. No appeal will be considered and no payments received to date will be refunded. If the institution wishes to continue to pursue authorization in Oklahoma, it must submit a new application with a new application fee.
8. Term of Authorization
Institutions must be re-authorized annually. The term of authorization is from the date an institution’s authorization fee and payment are received by the OSRHE through the last day of its last summer session of the following year. For example, the authorization of an institution whose payments are received April 20, 2025, will be from April 20, 2025, through the last day of its last summer session of 2026. To be authorized starting fall 2026, it must be re-authorized by the OSRHE in spring 2026, which authorization will be through the last day of the institution’s last summer session of 2027.
1. Complete and Submit Application for Re-Authorization
Application packets with instructions and an invoice for the application fee will be provided to authorized institutions towards the end of each calendar year. The complete application for re-authorization is due no later than May 1 of the following year. Institutions are strongly encouraged to submit their re-authorization application and fee as early in the year as possible. The authorization of an institution that does not submit the application by the due date will be subject to revocation.
2. Application Fee for Re-Authorization
All applications must be accompanied by payment of the application fee. An application received without the application fee is incomplete and out-of-compliance with OSRHE policy and will not be reviewed until the application fee has been received. See “Fees and Student Tuition Recovery Fund Payments” for current fee amount. The application fee must be paid by paper check.
If the application fee is not received by May 1, the institution’s authorization will be subject to revocation. The institution is responsible for keeping track of this deadline; OSRHE will issue no alerts or notices of its approach.
Once received, the application fee is non-refundable, regardless of whether the application is submitted to the State Regents or the State Regents approve it.
3. Review of the Application for Re-Authorization
OSRHE staff will review complete applications to ensure the application and institution are in compliance with OSRHE policy. On determination of compliance, staff will submit the application to the State Regents at their earliest available regularly scheduled meeting from January through June. A schedule of State Regents meetings can be found at https://okhighered.org/state-system/state-regents-meetings/.
4. Non-Compliant Applications for Re-Authorization
A complete application for re-authorization that is determined not to demonstrate institutional compliance with OSRHE policy will not be presented to the State Regents and the institution’s authorization will be subject to revocation. The written notification of the determination of non-compliance will include the reasons for the determination. No fee will be refunded.
5. Determination of Non-Compliance Appeal
The institution may submit an appeal of the determination of non-compliance. If the submittal appropriately addresses the non-compliance, the application will be presented to the State Regents at their next available regularly scheduled meeting. The final due date for submittal of this appeal is May 1; however, institutions are strongly encouraged to submit appeal materials as soon as possible.
If no communication is received from the institution, or if the institution is unable to address the non-compliance by May 1, the institution’s authorization will be subject to revocation.
6. Authorization Extension
An authorized institution that is unable to submit a complete application or address a determination of non-compliance by May 1 due to extenuating circumstances may request an extension of its current term of authorization and the final due date by which it must submit the application and any appeal materials for re-authorization.
If the extension is applied, it shall be for no longer than that the date of that year’s September State Regents meeting, and the final due date for submittal of a corrected application and/or evidence of full compliance shall be no later than July 7 of that year.
If an extension is applied but the institution misses the extension period due date, its authorization will be subject to revocation.
If the extension is not applied, the institution’s authorization will be subject to revocation.
Staff determination whether to apply the extension will be final and no further appeal or extension request will be accepted.
Only three such extensions may be applied to any institution throughout the entire time of its authorization to operate as a degree-granting institution in Oklahoma.
7. Notification of Approval and Effective Date for Re-Authorization
Institutions will be provided with written notification of State Regents’ approval of the authorization application which will include invoices for required fees and, for private institutions, payment into the student tuition recovery fund. The institution’s re-authorization will be effective on the date that OSRHE receives the required fees and payments. On receipt of payment, the institution will be provided written notification that its approval of re-authorization is effective through another term of authorization.
8. Authorization Fees and STRF Payments for Re-Authorization
Authorization fees and payments are in addition to the application fee. All authorization fees and payments are due upon receipt of the invoice. A separate invoice will be provided for authorization fees and for payment into the student tuition recovery fund. All payments must be made by paper check. Further instructions for payment will be included with the invoice. See “Fees and Student Tuition Recovery Fund Payments” for current fees and payments
9. Non-Payment of Fees and Payment for Re-Authorization
If full payment is not received by Aug. 1 of that year, the institution’s authorization will be subject to revocation. The institution is responsible for keeping track of this deadline; OSRHE will issue no alerts or notices of its approach. No appeal will be considered and no payments received to date will be refunded.
10. Term of Authorization
Institutions must be re-authorized annually. The term of authorization is from the date an institution’s authorization fee and payment are received by the OSRHE through the last day of its last summer semester of the following year. For example, the authorization of an institution whose payments are received April 20, 2025, will be from April 20, 2025, through the last day of its last summer session of 2026. To be authorized starting fall 2026, it must be re-authorized by the OSRHE in spring 2026, which authorization will be through the last day of the institution’s last summer session of 2027.
1. Non-Approval of Initial Authorization
If the State Regents do not approve an institution’s application for initial authorization, the institution is not authorized and may not conduct any degree-related activity listed in OSRHE policy. No fees will be refunded.
2. Non-Approval of Re-Authorization
If the State Regents do not approve an institution’s application for re-authorization, the institution’s authorization will expire at the end of its current term of authorization. It shall immediately upon notification of the non-approval cease all student marketing and enrollment activities in Oklahoma and shall begin the appropriate closure procedure. Notice of the institution’s impending expiration of authorization, the reason why, the anticipated date, and other relevant information will be added to its listing on the OSRHE website.
3. Revocation of Authorization
If any of the conditions for revocation of authorization in OSRHE policy or in these procedures are met, the institution will be provided with written notification of impending revocation, upon receipt of which it shall immediately cease all student marketing and enrollment activities in Oklahoma and shall begin the appropriate closure procedure. Notice of the institution’s impending revocation of authorization, the reason why, the anticipated date, and other relevant information will be added to its listing on the OSRHE website.
1. Submittal and Review of Appeal
An institution that wishes to appeal the revocation or non-approval of authorization must submit to the OSRHE office, within 20 calendar days of receipt of notification, written documentation detailing why it believes the revocation or non-renewal is not warranted by state statute or OSRHE policy. The institution is responsible for keeping track of this deadline; OSRHE will issue no alerts or notices of its approach.
Upon receipt of the documentation, OSRHE staff will review it to determine whether the additional information demonstrates compliance with state statute and OSRHE policy. If it is determined that the response satisfactorily indicates full compliance, the application will be submitted to the State Regents at their next regularly scheduled meeting.
2. Schedule of Appeal Process
The schedule for the appeal process and how it affects the institution’s implementation of closure will be determined and communicated to the institution on receipt and analysis of the appeal. During the period of time from the receipt of the appeal documentation to final determination of compliance, the institution will retain whatever authorization status it held prior to the non-approval or revocation.
3. Determination of Appeal
If it is determined that the appeal documentation does not demonstrate compliance with state statute and OSRHE policy, the institution will be notified of the determination in writing, including the reasons why, and the institution will begin or resume closure procedures.
Determination that the appeal documentation does not demonstrate compliance with state statute and OSRHE policy is final and no further appeal will be accepted.
Institutions whose authorization has been revoked or not approved may be considered again for authorization after reestablishing compliance with state statute and OSRHE policy.
Questions About State Authorization in Oklahoma
Elizabeth Walker
Coordinator for Academic Administration
ok.stateauth@osrhe.edu