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Take the courses you want – where and when it’s most convenient to you. 

  • Online faculty are trained for best practices in online learning. 
  • High quality education that is fully-accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
  • Online Transfer Programs to over 30 4-year colleges and universities
  • 1/3 the price – Tuition and fees in our online courses and programs are a fraction of the comparable cost of public universities.

Authorization for Online Learning

Laurel Ridge Community College has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). This participation allows Laurel Ridge offer distance learning programs and courses to residents of member states without seeking state-by-state approval.

State Authorization

Distance learning allows for educational experiences to occur across state lines. However, when an institution offers learning activities such as coursework, practica, and internships to students in a state other than its own, the institution must seek approval from that other state. While most Laurel Ridge students are located in Virginia, some are located outside of Virginia during some or all of their academic career. For example, some students are “fully distant” students who complete all their courseork online never coming to campus while other students may be deployed or relocated for a period of time during their studies. Where a student is located and what type of activity they are involved in determines if Laurel Ridge must take any action to obtain permission from a state to offer the activity.

The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) make it easier for states to obtain approval to offer educational activities in a state other than its own. Virginia is a member of SARA and Laurel Ridge is approved to participate in SARA.  This means that Laurel Ridge can initiate many out-of-state learning activities in other SARA-approved states without seeking approval from those states.

A map and full list of authorized states and institutions is available at http://nc-sara.org/sara-states-institutions.

Do you live outside of Virginia and want to take online classes?

Laurel Ridge Community College is a member of Virginia State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (VA-SARA) and participates in the National Council for State Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). These agreements allow Laurel Ridge to offer distance learning programs and courses to residents of member states without seeking state-by-state approval. The agreements also provide enhanced quality assurance and consumer protection to Virginia residents seeking distance learning education opportunities from other member states’ institutions.

Prospective students outside the Commonwealth of Virginia who may enroll in a program at Laurel Ridge Community College that prepares students for external certification or licensure or may require clinical placements or internships should be from a state where the program MEETS the educational requirements for certification or licensure.

If the student is from a state where the Laurel Ridge program does NOT MEET the student’s home state requirements and the student is enrolled in at least one course online their first semester in the program, the student must provide a written attestation where they intend to seek employment after completing the program. Onlien students cannot enroll if they reside and plan to seek employment in a state where Laurel Ridge does not meet that state’s requirements for certification and licensure.

Physical Location

To meet state authorization requirements, it is very important that Laurel Ridge knows your local address each semester. Laurel Ridge defines “local address” as where you are physically located when enrolled in school and taking courses. This address might be different than your billing address or the permanent address that you consider your official home residence. It might also be different than your local address for the previous semester.

If your local address changes for any reason (i.e. internship, study abroad, deployment, etc.), it is the student’s responsibility to promptly update their record in SIS.

A student’s failure to keep their address updated does not absolve the student of responsibility for matters related to state authorization.

Attestation Process

Federal regulations prohibit Laurel Ridge Community College from enrolling students in a program that leads to licensure or certification if the college does not meet the educational requirements for licensure or certification in the student’s state of residence.

Students who intend to seek licensure and employment in a different state may be eligible for enrollment in their chosen program, provided that the program meets the educational requirements for licensure in that state and that they submit an attestation.

The student’s attestation requires completing a form returned to the College within 14 days of receiving the notification. Students who do not submit an attestation in that time period will not be allowed to enroll at Laurel Ridge Community College.

Complaint Resolution

Laurel Ridge Community College’s Student Grievance Policy and Procedure is described in our catalog. Laurel Ridge strives to provide the highest quality educational opportunities available. However, if a conflict does arise, our efforts are meant to resolve your grievances, complaints, and concerns in an expeditious, fair, and amicable manner. Students should carefully follow the steps outlined in our catalog to ensure proper and timely resolution of their complaint.

In accordance with the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), the complaint procedures outlined in the Student Grievance Policy are subject to oversight of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) in complaints arising from students living outside Virginia who are enrolled in online courses at Laurel Ridge. If an issue cannot be resolved by the college’s customary resolution procedure, students may file a formal complaint directly with SCHEV. Grade appeals and student conduct appeals are not allowed under SARA.

Students located outside of Virginia can find information about their state’s student complaint procedures in the list below:

State Contacts for Complaint Resolution 

State Name Phone Form
Alabama Alabama Commission on Higher Education (334) 242-2211 Alabama NC-SARA Complaint Form
Alaska Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (800) 441-2962 Alaska Consumer Protection and Student Complaints
Arizona Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education (602) 542-5709 Arizona Student Complaint Procedure
Arkansas Arkansas Department of Higher Education (501) 371-2000 Arkansas Student Grievance Form
Colorado Colorado Department of Higher Education (303) 862-3001 Colorado Complaint Procedures
Connecticut Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education (860) 723-0000 Connecticut Student Complaint Process
Delaware Delaware Department of Education (302) 735-4000 Delaware Student Concern Procedure
Florida Florida Department of Education (850) 245-0505 Florida College Complaint Procedure Information
Georgia Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (770) 414-3300 Georgia Student Complaint Form
Hawaii Hawaii Post-secondary Education Authorization Program (808) 586-7327 Hawaii SARA Complaint Process
Idaho Idaho Board of Education (208) 334-2270 Idaho Student Complaint Procedure
Illinois Illinois Board of Higher Education (217) 782-2551 Illinois Register an Institutional Complaint
Indiana Indiana Commission on Proprietary Education (800) 457-8283 Indiana Student Complaint Procedure
Iowa Iowa College Aid (515) 725-3400 Iowa Student Complaint Procedure
Kansas Kansas Board of Regents (785) 430-4240 Kansas State University Student Complaint Form
Kentucky Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (502) 573-1555 Kentucky Consumer Complaint Procedure
Louisiana Louisiana Board of Regents (800) 351-4889 Louisiana Student Complaint Process
Maine Maine Department of Education (207) 624-6600 Maine Resolution Steps for Complaints
Maryland Maryland Higher Education Commission (410) 767-3300 Maryland Student Complaint Process
Massachusetts Massachusetts Board of Higher Education (617) 994-6950 Massachusetts Student Complaint Procedure
Michigan Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (517) 335-5858 Postsecondary Schools Consumer Information
Minnesota Minnesota Office of Higher Education (800) 657-3866 Minnesota Consumer Information
Mississppi Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation (601) 432-6372 Mississippi Student Complaint Process
Missouri Missouri Department of Higher Education (573) 751-2361 Missouri Policy on Complaint Resolution
Montana Montana University System, Montana Board of Regents (406) 449-9124 Montana Complaint Process
Nebraska Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education (402) 471-2847 Nebraska Student Complaint Process
Nevada Nevada Commission on Postsecondary Education (702) 486-7330 Nevada SARA Complaint Procedure
New Hampshire New Hampshire Postsecondary Education Commission (603) 271-4196 New Hampshire Bureau of Educator Preparation and Higher Education
New Jersey New Jersey Commission on Higher Education (609) 292-4310 New Jersey Filing Complaints
New Mexico New Mexico Higher Education Department (505) 476-8411 New Mexico Student Complaint Procedure
New York New York State Education Department (518) 474-3852 New York Filing a Complaint About a College or University
North Carolina North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints (919) 962-4558 North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints
North Dakota North Dakota State Board for Career and Technical Education (701) 328-3180 North Dakota Complaint Procedure
Ohio Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools (877) 275-4219 Ohio Filing a Complaint
Oklahoma Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (405) 225-9100 Oklahoma Student Complaint Procedure
Oregon Oregon Department of Education – Private and Career Schools (503) 947-5600 Oregon Student Complaint Procedure
Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Department of Education, Division of Program Services (717) 783.8228 Pennsylvania Student Complaint Procedure
Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Council on Higher Education (787) 641-7100 Student Grievance Procedure
Rhode Island Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education (401) 736-1100 Rhode Island Student Complaint Procedure
South Carolina South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (803) 737-2260 South Caroline Student Complaint Procedure and Form
South Dakota South Dakota Board of Regents (605) 773-3455 South Dakota SARA Complaint Procedures
Tennesssee Tennessee Higher Education Commission (615) 741-3605 Tennessee Request for Complaint Review
Texas Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (512) 427-6101 Texas Student Complaint Process
Utah Utah Systems of Higher Education (800) 418-8757 Utah SARA Complaint Form
Vermont Vermont State Board of Education (802) 828-1130 Vermont Complaint Resolution of Post-Secondary Schools
Virginia Virginia State Council of Higher Education (804) 225-2600 Virginia Student Complaint Procedure
Washington Washington Student Achievement Panel (360) 753-7800 Washington Student Complaint Procedure
Washington, DC Washington DC – Higher Education Licensure Commission (202) 727-6436 DC Public Complaints Procedure
West Virginia West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (304) 558-2101 West Virginia Student Complaint Process
Wisconsin Wisconsin Educational Approval Program (877) 617-1565 Wisconsin Student Complaint Procedure
Wyoming Wyoming Department of Education (307) 777-7675 Wyoming Student Complaint Form

Professional Licensure

If your career plans include pursuing professional licensure or certification in your chosen field, it is important to become educated on the credentialing requirements of the state in which you hope to practice by contacting the state’s licensing entity. Additional helpful licensing information can also be found on the Career One Stop Portal.

NC-SARA has no effect on state professional licensing requirements. Institutions participating in NC-SARA must satisfy all federal requirements under US Department of Education Regulation 34§C.F.R. 668.43 for disclosing information regarding professional licensure programs.

Disclosures apply to programs that are:

  • designed to meet education requirements for a specific professional license or certification required for employment in an occupation, or,
  • advertised as meeting licensure or certification requirements.

The following information publicly discloses any Laurel Ridge Community College program, no matter the method of delivery, designed to meet educational requirements for specific professional licensure or certification for employment or is marketed as such.

Below is the contact information for Virginia and out-of-state licensing agencies. This list is subject to change and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Program College Contact State Program MEETS Requirements State Progam Does NOT Meet Requirements Not Determined Virginia Licensure Information Out-of-State Licensure Contact Information
Dental Hygiene (AAS) VA, DC, KY, MD, NC, TN, WV AK, AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TX, UT, VT, WA, WI, WY, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands Virginia Board of Dentistry American Dental Hygenists’ Association (ADHA)
Emergency Medical Services (AAS) VA AK, AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands Virginia Department of Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
Emergency Medical Technician (CSC) Virginia Department of Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT), (CSC) VA AK, AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands Virginia Department of Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
Health Information Management (AAS) VA AK, AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands
Medical Laboratory Technology (AAS) AK, AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands
Nursing (AAS) RN VA AK, AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands
Nursing, LPN to RN (AAS) RN
Patient Care Technican/Nurse Aid CNA VA AK, AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands Virginia Department of Health Professions, Board of Nursing Directory of Nurse Aid Registries
Physical Therapist Assistant (AAS) AK, AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands Virginia Board of Physical Therapy Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy
Practical Nursing (Certificate) LPN VA AK, AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands Virginia Department of Health Professions, Board of Nursing National Council of State Boards of Nursing