Out-of-State Institutions of Higher Education Solely Providing Distance Education to Virginia Residents

Effective July 1, 2022, Virginia law requires that certain institutions located outside of Virginia obtain certification from the State Council of Higher Education to offer solely distance education courses to residents of the Commonwealth.

Specifically, § 23.1-219 (F) of the Code of Virginia states that “any degree-granting postsecondary school providing distance learning to residents of the Commonwealth from a location outside of the Commonwealth shall be certified to operate in the Commonwealth or shall be a participant in a reciprocity agreement to which the Commonwealth belongs.” For more information about the law’s requirements, visit https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodefull/title23.1/chapter2/article3/.

Institutions of higher education seeking to offer distance education to Virginia residents must complete the forms below and submit them to SCHEV to expedite the certification process to comply with § 23.1-219 (F).

Instructions for Completing the Institutional Certification Application

Institutional Certification Application Form

Program Inventory

Certification Checklist

This certification process and fee are subject to change.