THECB staff outlines SARA forum, renewal deadlines and professional licensure guidance

Texas State Portal staff provided an update on the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) program and related NC-SARA developments, including a June 6 forum in Austin and revised renewal workflows.

Cam Mayhart, the THECB SARA contact for Texas institutions, said the second Texas SARA forum is scheduled for Friday, June 6 in the Barbara Jordan Building and registration information will be sent around April 1. Mayhart said the forum will again invite one representative from each SARA institution and that space will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis for additional attendees.

Mayhart urged institutions to check the NC-SARA website for the current renewal application, noting NC-SARA planned revised applications on July 1 and again Jan. 1. He described the standard renewal timeline: NC-SARA issues a 90-day reminder and expects renewals at the 60-day mark so staff have time to review before a 30-day deadline.

Mayhart highlighted NC-SARA webinars on professional licensure and on data reporting. He said an NC-SARA webinar on professional licensure will be held March 18 and called out the importance of institutions ensuring web-based professional licensure information meets U.S. Department of Education requirements. He also noted NC-SARA will move to file uploads for enrollment reporting, which should simplify the reporting window May 15June 15.

Mayhart said he serves on NC-SARA regional and national committees and encouraged institutions to submit public comments on proposed NC-SARA policy modifications; NC-SARA posts calendars and public-comment guidance on its website.

Ending: Mayhart asked institutions considering joining SARA to contact him and told LTAC members he will circulate registration details and NC-SARA public-comment deadlines.