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State Authorization
Find a list of states where CIIS can and cannot enroll online students.
The U.S. Department of Education oversees compliance with regulations governing the ability of institutions to offer online programs to students located outside of California. Individual states also oversee the programming CIIS offers, and some states require authorization for having online students and/or clinical placements in the state. CIIS is not required to seek authorization in all states and U.S. territories, but is required to be authorized in some.
Student Declaration of Current Physical Location
To comply with federal Title IV regulations governing distance learning, CIIS is required to verify students’ locations prior to engaging in financial transactions. Also, to comply with state authorization regulations governing distance learning and clinical placements, CIIS is required to verify students’ locations prior to each semester of registration. Students are required to confirm their location three times a calendar year (every 120 days) via Colleague Self-Service to a) confirm their official address of record, and b) indicate the state in which they will be physically located while taking their online coursework in the upcoming semester. A student is required to report to the Registrar’s Office any change in their physical location during the semester; the change needs to be reported in advance of moving.
If a student’s current location is outside the state of California and the student is enrolled in a CIIS online program or taking an online class offered in a CIIS residential program, the student should also check the information below to verify CIIS’ authorization to offer distance education to students physically located outside the state of California.
- Academic degree program students or prospective students applying to CIIS' academic degree programs may reach out to the Admissions Office with any questions.
- Prospective students applying to the Sex Therapy Certificate (STC) or Climate Psychology Certificate (CPC), and have questions about state authorizations, should contact Public Programs at publicprograms@ciis.edu.
List of State Authorizations and Exemptions
Can Enroll Distance/Online Students:
CIIS is authorized to or exempt from providing distance education to students residing in (located in) the states listed below in any of the distance education programs offered at CIIS unless specified. Students must reside in (be located in) any one of the states below during the entirety of their enrollment in the program.
Notes:
- States indicated with an asterisk (*) means CIIS can enroll students residing in (located in) these states in the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology (MA-CP) program (any concentration) and the Doctor of Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) program where students are required to complete clinical practicum and/or internship hours, and all other programs CIIS offers.
- States without an asterisk means CIIS cannot enroll students residing in (located in) these states in the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology (MA-CP) and the Doctor of Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) programs. However, CIIS can enroll students residing in (located in) these states in all other programs CIIS offers.
For information about student location requirements concerning students enrolling in the MA-CP and/or Psy.D. programs, visit Professional Licensure.
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California*
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada*
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon*
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
Cannot Enroll Distance/Online Students:
CIIS is not authorized to or exempt from providing distance education to students residing in (located in) the states/regions listed below but will accept applications from prospective students residing in (located in) these states/regions. To be enrolled in programs at CIIS, students must not reside in (be located in) any of the states below.
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- District of Columbia (DC)
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Rhode Island
- Wisconsin
Enrollment Restrictions for License Eligible Programs
For the programs listed below, students must be located in California, Nevada, or Oregon by the first day of classes and through the entirety of the program.
- M.A. in Counseling Psychology - Community Mental Health
- M.A. in Counseling Psychology - Integral Counseling Psychology Weekend
- M.A. in Counseling Psychology - Integral Counseling Psychology Day
- M.A. in Counseling Psychology - Somatic Psychology
- M.A. in Counseling Psychology - Drama Therapy
- Psy.D. - Clinical Psychology
For the program listed below, students must be located in California by the first day of classes and through the entirety of the program.
- M.A. in Counseling Psychology - Expressive Arts Therapy
For information about student location requirements concerning students enrolling in the MA-CP and/or Psy.D. programs, visit Professional Licensure.
State-Specific Disclosures
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CIIS has received exemption from the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) to offer its programs to students who reside in Alaska. A student who is a resident of Alaska and who wishes to make a complaint about the institution should follow the process outlined on ACPE's website.
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CIIS is not subject to oversight by the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education and is therefore able to deliver distance education programs to students who reside (are located) in Arizona. A student who is a resident of Arizona and who wishes to make a complaint about the institution should follow the process outlined on the Arizona State Board website.
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CIIS is exempted from the state authorization requirements of the California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) and is therefore permitted to offer its programs to California residents. A student who is a resident of California and who wishes to make a complaint about the institution should follow the process outlined on the BPPE website.
An individual may contact the BPPE for review of a complaint:
Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
Mailing address: P.O. Box 980818, West Sacramento, CA 95798-0818
Physical address: 1747 North Market Blvd, Suite 225, Sacramento, CA 95834
Phone: 916.574.8900, Toll free: 888.370.7589, Main fax: 916.263.1897
bppe.ca.gov -
CIIS is not subject to oversight by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education and is therefore able to deliver distance education programs to students who reside (are located) in Colorado.
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CIIS is registered with the Connecticut Office of Higher Education to offer its online programs to Connecticut residents. A student who is a resident of Connecticut and who wishes to make a complaint about the institution may follow the process outlined by the Office of Higher Education or reach out directly to:
Emily Bjornberg, Senior Consultant, Academic Affairs, Connecticut Office of Higher Education
450 Columbus Blvd, Suite 707, Hartford, CT 06103
emily.bjornberg@ct.gov
860.947.1824 (office) -
CIIS is not subject to oversight by the Florida Commission for Independent Education and is therefore able to deliver distance education programs to students who reside (are located) in Florida with certain exceptions.
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CIIS is authorized by the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission to offer certain online programs to Georgia residents. A student who is a resident of Georgia and who wishes to make a complaint about the institution should contact the state agency using the information listed below or should visit the commission's website.
Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission
2082 E. Exchange Pl. #220 Tucker, GA 30084-5334 -
CIIS is not subject to oversight by the Hawaii Postsecondary Education Authorization Program and is therefore able to deliver distance education programs to students who reside (are located) in Hawaii.
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CIIS is not subject to authorization in the State of Idaho based on the Idaho State Board of Education. A student who is a resident of Idaho and who wishes to make a complaint about the institution should follow the process outlined on the Board of Education website.
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CIIS is not subject to authorization in the State of Illinois based on the Illinois Board of Higher Education regulations. A student who is a resident of Illinois and who wishes to make a complaint about the institution should follow the process outlined on the Board of Higher Education website.
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CIIS is authorized by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education to offer certain online programs to Indiana residents. A student who is a resident of Indiana and who wishes to make a complaint about the institution should follow the process outlined on the commission's website.
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CIIS is not subject to oversight by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education and is able to offer certain online programs to Kentucky residents. A student who is a resident of Kentucky and who wishes to make a complaint about the institution should follow the process outlined on the council's website.
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CIIS is not currently subject to authorization in the state of Louisiana based on the Board of Regents regulations. A student who is a resident of Louisiana and who wishes to make a complaint about the institution should follow the process outlined on the Board of Regents website.
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CIIS is not subject to oversight by the Maine Department of Education and is therefore able to deliver distance education programs to students who reside (are located) in Maine.
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CIIS is authorized by the Maryland Higher Education Commission to offer fully online programs to Maryland residents. A student who is a resident of Maryland and who wishes to make a complaint about the institution may reach out to the Maryland Higher Education Commission at the address below or can follow the process outlined on the commission's website.
Maryland Higher Education Commission
6 North Liberty Street, 10th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201
410.767.3300
collegiatecomplaint.mhec@maryland.gov -
CIIS is not subject to oversight by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education and is therefore able to deliver distance education programs to students who reside (are located) in Massachusetts.
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CIIS is not subject to oversight by the Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation and is therefore able to deliver distance education programs to students who reside (are located) in Mississippi.
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CIIS is not subject to oversight by the Missouri Department of Higher Education and is therefore able to deliver distance education programs to students who reside (are located) in Missouri.
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CIIS is authorized by the Board of Regents of the Montana University System to offer its online programs to Montana residents. A student who is a resident of Montana and who wishes to make a complaint about the institution should follow the process outlined on the Montana University System website.
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CIIS is not subject to oversight by the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education and is therefore able to deliver distance education programs to students who reside (are located) in Nebraska. A student who is a resident of Nebraska and who wishes to make a complaint about the institution should follow the process outlined on the commission's website.
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CIIS has been issued an Experiential License by the Nevada Commission on Postsecondary Education to deliver accredited programs with fieldwork components per the current academic catalog to students who reside (are located) in Nevada with certain exceptions. CIIS is also able to deliver distance education programs that do not contain a fieldwork component to students who reside (are located) in Nevada with certain exceptions. A student who is a resident of Nevada and who wishes to make a complaint about the institution should follow the directions outlined on the commission's website.
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CIIS is not subject to oversight by the New Hampshire Division of Educator Support and Higher Education — Higher Education Commission and is therefore able to deliver certain online and distance education programs to students who reside (are located) in New Hampshire. A student who is a resident of New Hampshire and who wishes to make a complaint about the institution should follow the process outlined on the division's website.
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CIIS is not subject to oversight by the New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education and is therefore able to deliver distance education programs to students who reside (are located) in New Jersey. A student who is a resident of New Jersey and who wishes to make a complaint about the institution should follow the process outlined on the Secretary of Higher Education's website.
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CIIS has been deemed by the New Mexico Higher Education Department to meet the application standards for Distance Education Authorization pursuant to the Interstate Distance Education Act (Section 21-23B-1 et seq. NMSA 1978). A student who is a resident of New Mexico and who wishes to make a complaint about the institution should visit the department's website or contact:
New Mexico Higher Education Department
2044 Galisteo Street, Suite 4, Santa Fe, NM 87505
HigherEd.Info@state.nm.us
505.476.8411 -
CIIS is authorized by the New York State Education Department to offer certain online programs to New York residents. A student who is a resident of New York and who wishes to make a complaint about the institution should contact the New York State Education Department:
New York Office of College and University Evaluation
New York State Education Department
5 North Mezzanine, Albany, NY 12234
ocueinfo@mail.nysed.gov -
CIIS is not subject to oversight by the Ohio Department of Education to offer certain online programs to Ohio residents. A student who is a resident of Ohio and who wishes to make a complaint about the institution should follow the directions outlined by the Ohio Attorney General.
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CIIS is not subject to oversight by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and is therefore able to deliver distance education programs to students who reside (are located) in Oklahoma.
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CIIS is authorized by the Oregon Higher Education Coordination Commission (HECC) to offer certain online programs to Oregon residents. Please see CIIS's Oregon Student Protection Fact Sheet. A student who is a resident of Oregon and who wishes to make a complaint about the institution should follow the process outlined on the HECC website.
Per the HECC: Students should attempt to resolve any grievances they may have with their school first. Should attempts to resolve these problems with appropriate school officials fail, or should the student be dissatisfied with the final outcome of the college complaint process, then the HECC can respond to a formal complaint. Students may contact:
Higher Education Coordinating Commission
3225 25th St. SE, Salem, OR 97302
complaints@hecc.oregon.gov -
CIIS is registered with the Pennsylvania Department of Education Office of Postsecondary and Higher Education as an out-of-state distance education provider to enroll Pennsylvania residents in certain online programs. A student who is a resident of Pennsylvania and who wishes to make a complaint about the institution should follow the process outlined on the Department of Education website.
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CIIS is not subject to oversight by the South Carolina Commission for Higher Education and is therefore able to deliver distance education programs to students who reside (are located) in South Carolina.
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CIIS is not subject to oversight by the South Dakota Secretary of State — Postsecondary Education and is therefore able to deliver distance education programs to students who reside (are located) in South Dakota.
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CIIS is not subject to oversight by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and is therefore able to deliver distance education programs to students who reside (are located) in Tennessee.
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CIIS is not subject to oversight by the Texas Workforce Commission or the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for certain distance education programs.
A student who is a resident of Texas and who wishes to make a complaint about the institution to the THECB should follow the process outlined on the Higher Education Coordinating Board website.
CIIS is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and approved by the California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) to offer all programs in the state of California, therefore under Texas Section 132.001(1)(B), CIIS is excluded from regulation by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC).
A student who wishes to make a complaint to the regional accreditor should follow the process outlined on the WSCUC website.
A student who wishes to make a complaint about the institution to the state of California should follow the process outlined on the BPPE website.
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CIIS is registered with the State of Utah Department of Commerce, Division of Consumer Protection to offer its online programs to Utah residents. Per Utah regulation R152-34-9, students may access the CIIS scorecard maintained by the U.S. Department of Education. A student who is a resident of Utah and who wishes to make a complaint about the institution should follow the process outlined on the Division of Consumer Protection website.
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CIIS is not subject to oversight by the Vermont Agency of Education and is therefore able to deliver distance education programs to students who reside (are located) in Vermont.
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CIIS is authorized by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and meets the requirements for distance education certification as states in section §23.1-219 (F) of the Code of Virginia. This authorization is subject to periodic review and authorizes CIIS to offer solely distance education programs to Virginia residents. The Council may be contacted for a list of currently authorized programs. Authorization by the Council does not carry with it an endorsement by the Council of the institution or its programs. Any person desiring information about the requirements of the act or the applicability of those requirements to the institution may contact the Council at 101 North Fourteenth Street Richmond, Virginia 23219 or 804.225.2600.
A student who is a resident of Virginia and who wishes to make a complaint about the institution should follow the process outlined State Council for Higher Education website.
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For Washington State residents seeking information and resources about student loan repayment or seeking to submit a complaint relating to your student loans or student loan servicer, please visit www.wsac.wa.gov/loan-advocacy or contact the Student Loan Advocate at loanadvocate@wsac.wa.gov.
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CIIS is not subject to oversight by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission to offer certain online programs to West Virginia residents. A student who is a resident of West Virginia and who wishes to make a complaint about the institution should follow the process outlined on the commission's website.
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CIIS is authorized by the Wyoming Department of Education to offer its online programs to Wyoming residents. A student who is a resident of Wyoming and who wishes to make a complaint about the institution should follow the process outlined on the Department of Education website.
Contact Us
Please contact our Admissions Team with any questions about state authorizations and professional licensure.