Education at OHSU

Education at OHSU

Out-of-State Authorization

OHSU participates in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). Our participation means we comply with comparable national education standards for distance learning courses and programs. This makes it easier for students to take online courses or participate in clinical experiences offered by postsecondary institutions based in other participating states.

Visit the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements website.

Information for distance learning students

California students

OHSU is approved to provide online education to California students. However, California does not participate in reciprocity agreements, so these students are not covered by reciprocity agreement policies and are not eligible for Title IV funding. 

Liability insurance

OHSU covers its students with liability insurance. We do not require students to carry or maintain their own liability insurance. 

OHSU can provide proof of liability for out-of-state rotations through the Office of Risk Management. However, our risk management team scrutinizes regions that have a history of unfavorable outcomes for defendants. These regions currently include: 

  • California 
  • Cook County, Illinois 
  • Florida 
  • Louisiana 
  • New York 
  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 

Contact OHSU Risk Management for recent changes to this list. 

Filing complaints

The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements requires participating institutions to comply with their complaint process. The council does not accept grade appeals or conduct complaints. 

  1. Students should first try to resolve grievances with OHSU by following our student grievance and appeal policy. 
  2. If a resolution can’t be reached with the appropriate school officials (or you are not satisfied with the outcome), you can contact the Higher Education Coordinating Commission. Email complaints@hecc.oregon.gov or visit the commission’s complaints page for more information.
  3. If applicable, you may also file a complaint with the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (OHSU’s accrediting agency). Visit the agency’s complaint page. 
  4. You may also appeal to your home state consumer protection agency. Find a state consumer protection agency on USA.gov. 

OHSU refund schedule

Find information on tuition, fees and the OHSU refund schedule. 

Licensure requirements and agencies

Dentistry – D.M.D. Program

OHSU’s accredited D.M.D. Program meets educational criteria for licensure in all states and territories. Graduates are prepared to pass either the Integrated National Board Dental Exam or Part I and Part II of the National Board Dental Exam. 

The national professional organization for this program is the American Dental Association. 

Licensing agencies 

Dentistry – advanced education programs

OHSU’s accredited advanced dental education programs meet educational criteria for licensure in all states and territories. 

The national professional organization for these programs is the American Dental Association. 

Licensing agencies and additional requirements

Dietitian and human nutrition programs

OHSU’s accredited human nutrition programs meet educational criteria for dietitian licensure in all states and territories. Graduates are prepared to pass a national registration exam, which is required before state licensure as a registered dietitian. Not all states require dietitian licensure. 

You can find salary and state career requirements for the nutrition and dietetic fields on NutritionED.org. The Commission on Dietetic Registration also provides state licensure statute information. 

Licensing agencies and additional requirements 

Medical Physics Program

OHSU’s accredited Medical Physics Program meets educational criteria for licensure in all states and territories. Graduates are prepared to pass the national American Board of Radiology exam, which determines eligibility for practice in all states. 

The national professional organization for this program is the American Association of Physicists in Medicine. 

Licensing agencies and additional requirements 

Nursing – undergraduate programs

OHSU’s accredited undergraduate nursing programs meet educational criteria for licensure in all states and territories. Graduates are prepared to pass the National Council Licensure Exam, which all 50 states use for RN licensure. 

You can find an interactive map for state RN and LPN requirements on nursinglicensure.org. 

Licensing agencies and additional requirements 

Nursing – advanced practice programs

OHSU’s accredited advanced practice nursing programs meet educational criteria for licensure in all states and territories. These programs require a master’s (or higher) degree in nursing from an accredited program designed to prepare nurse practitioners.

You can find a state-by-state guide to advanced practice nursing requirements at nursinglicensure.org.

Licensing agencies and additional requirements

For licensing information, consult the state agencies identified above in the "Nursing – undergraduate programs" section. Additional notes or requirements for advanced practice nursing are provided below. 

  • Territories with no RN licensure requirements for advanced practice: 
    • Puerto Rico 
    • U.S. Virgin Islands 
  • Most states and territories require both RN licensure and a graduate degree in the appropriate field for advanced practice:
    • Alabama - Requires RN licensure in the state of Alabama. 
    • Alaska - Requires RN licensure and advanced practice credential in the state of Alaska. 
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • California
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • District of Columbia - Requires RN licensure in the District of Columbia.
    • Florida - Requires RN licensure in the state of Florida.
    • Georgia - Requires RN licensure in the state of Georgia.
    • Hawaii - Requires RN licensure in the state of Hawaii. 
    • Idaho
    • Illinois - Requires RN licensure in the state of Illinois. 
    • Indiana 
    • Iowa
    • Kansas - Requires RN licensure in the state of Kansas.
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana - Requires RN licensure in the state of Louisiana. 
    • Maine
    • Maryland 
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan - Requires RN licensure in the state of Michigan. 
    • Minnesota - Requires RN licensure in the state of Minnesota. 
    • Mississippi
    • Missouri
    • Montana
    • Nebraska
    • Nevada - Advanced practice licensure requires cultural competency course. 
    • New Hampshire
    • New Jersey - Requires RN licensure in the state of New Jersey. 
    • New Mexico
    • New York - Requires RN licensure in the state of New York. 
    • North Carolina
    • North Dakota
    • Ohio - Requires RN licensure in the state of Ohio. 
    • Oklahoma
    • Oregon 
    • Pennsylvania
    • Rhode Island
    • South Carolina
    • South Dakota
    • Tennessee
    • Texas
    • Utah
    • Vermont - Requires RN licensure in the state of Vermont.
    • Virginia
    • Washington - Requires RN licensure in the state of Washington and completion of seven hours of HIV/AIDS training.
      • OHSU is approved by the Washington State Board of Nursing to conduct practice experiences in the state of Washington for Washington residents for the DNP PNP program.
    • West Virginia
    • Wisconsin
    • Wyoming - Requires RN licensure in the state of Wyoming.
    • Guam

Pharm.D. Program

The accredited OSU-OHSU Pharm.D. Program meets educational criteria for licensure in all states and territories. Graduates are prepared to pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam for state licensure. Many states require proof of graduation. 

You can view a list of state requirements on the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy website. 

Licensing agencies 

Physician programs

OHSU’s accredited physician programs meet educational criteria for licensure in all states and territories. Graduates are prepared to pass Step 1 and Step 2 (clinical knowledge) of the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam. Graduates meet the criteria to apply for practice with medical boards in all states. 

The national professional organization for these programs is the Federation of State Medical Boards, which provides a list of requirements by state. 

Licensing agencies 

Physician Assistant Program

OHSU’s accredited Physician Assistant Program meets educational criteria for licensure in all states and territories. Graduates are prepared to pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam. Most states require both a degree from an accredited program and a passing exam score. 

Licensing agencies 

Clinical Psychology Program

OHSU’s accredited Clinical Psychology Program meets educational criteria for licensure in most states and territories. Graduates may need to complete additional coursework to meet state licensure exam requirements. 

You can find a list of licensure requirements by state on the American Psychological Association website. 

Licensing agencies and additional requirements 

Radiation Therapy Program

OHSU’s accredited Radiation Therapy Program meets educational criteria for licensure in most states and territories. Graduates are prepared to pass the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists board exam. National board certification is required before graduates can pursue state licensure. 

The national professional organization for this program is the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. You can find a list of state licensure requirements on the American Society of Radiologic Technologists website. 

Licensing agencies and additional requirements 

National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) participating institutions logo
OHSU participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.

Contact us

If you notice an error on this page or need more information about out-of-state authorization, please email Robert Halstead, Assistant Vice Provost for Accreditation, at halstear@ohsu.edu.