There are special considerations for students who live outside the state of Washington – international and out-of-state.
A national agreement provides US students access to quality online learning, while federal law guides the application process for international students who wish to take online classes exclusively.
Bellevue College participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), a national initiative that simplifies the process of offering online courses across state lines by establishing consistent standards for interstate distance education. Coordinated by the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), a nonprofit organization, SARA helps institutions navigate regulatory requirements more efficiently while expanding access to educational opportunities for students. NC-SARA also maintains a comprehensive list of participating states and institutions, ensuring transparency and consistency in the regulation of distance education programs.
NC-SARA maintains a comprehensive list of participating states and institutions.
Students residing outside of Washington State while attending Bellevue College through online or electronically delivered classes who wish to resolve a grievance should first review BC’s Student Dispute Resolution Procedure and contact the appropriate division office.
If the issue cannot be resolved internally, students may file a complaint with the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC).
WSAC has the authority to investigate complaints against certain institutions, although it may not be able to address every issue. For more information, visit the WSAC Student Complaints page or go directly to the Washington State Student Complaint Portal.
Additionally, NC-SARA maintains a directory of SARA State Portal Entity Contacts, which students can contact if their complaint involves a distance education program under SARA guidelines.
Visit BC’s Student Rights and Resources page for other Bellevue College resources on complaints.
Many Bellevue College programs are designed to prepare students for careers in regulated professions. These professions require individuals to meet specific standards set by state or federal agencies.
This process is known as professional licensure.
Students residing outside Washington State who are considering a program of study that may lead to professional licensure (e.g., Radiation Therapy, Medical Dosimetry, Nuclear Medicine Technology) should contact the appropriate licensing agency in their state before beginning their course of study.
To assist with this, NC-SARA provides a Professional Licensure Directory with contact information for licensing boards in various fields.
You may also consult the U.S. Department of Education’s Professional Licensure resource for additional guidance on licensure requirements by profession and state.
For your convenience, please check on the licensing requirements for the state where you will seek employment. If you experience difficulty finding the license requirements for a specific state, please contact the program’s advisor for help.
For detailed policies and operational guidance, please refer to SARA’s Policy Manual.
Clinical experiences, practicums, residencies, and internships are included under SARA participation. According to Section 3.4.3 of the Unified State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement, institutions may offer these experiences in other SARA states if:
The Bellevue College Radiation Therapy Program curriculum meets the educational requirements for national certification that is required for employment in the United States. The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists is the agency responsible for individual certification.
Review state-by-state licensing requirements from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) webpage.
Find state licensing information, contacts for state radiation control program offices, and states that license or regulate by modality.
The state of Washington requires additional licensure. The Bellevue College Radiation Therapy Program curriculum meets the educational requirements for state department of health licensure that is required for employment in the state of Washington. Washington State Department of Health is the agency responsible for individual licensure.
Bellevue College has not been able to determine if the radiation therapy program at Bellevue College meets the state education requirements in any other state, any U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia. Please contact the state regulatory agency for radiation therapy in any other state for which this information is needed.
The Bellevue College Radiologic Technology Program curriculum meets the educational requirements for national certification that is required for employment in the United States. The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists is the agency responsible for individual certification.
The state of Washington requires additional licensure. The Bellevue College Radiologic Technology Program curriculum meets the educational requirements for state department of health licensure that is required for employment in the state of Washington. Washington State Department of Health is the agency responsible for individual licensure.
The Radiologic Technology program at Bellevue College does not meet the requirements for educational programs leading to licensure in some states because the program is not nationally accredited in radiologic technology.
Bellevue College has not been able to determine if the radiation therapy program at Bellevue College meets the state education requirements in any other state, any U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia. Please contact the state regulatory agency for radiologic technology in any other state for which this information is needed.
The Bellevue College Medical Dosimetry Program curriculum meets the educational requirements for national certification that is required for employment in the United States. The Medical Dosimetry Certification Board is the agency responsible for individual certification.
The state of Washington does not require any additional licensure. The Medical Dosimetry Program has not determined whether licensure is required in any other state. Direct disclosures are provided on an individual basis to students located outside the state of Washington. Documentation of direct disclosures are made available upon request to the Department of Education.
While there are no state licensing requirements for dosimetrists specifically, dosimetrists may be required to obtain a state license as a radiologic technician or nuclear medicine technologist.
The Bellevue College Nuclear Medicine Technology Program curriculum meets the educational requirements for national certification that is required for employment in the United States. Nuclear Medicine Technologists (NMTs) are certified by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
The Bellevue College Nuclear Medicine Technology Program curriculum meets the educational requirements for state department of health licensure that is required for employment in the state of Washington. Washington State Department of Health is the agency responsible for individual licensure.
Bellevue College has not determined if the nuclear medicine technology program at Bellevue College meets the state education requirements in any other state, any U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia. Please contact the state regulatory agency for nuclear medicine technology in any other state for which this information is needed.
Review the information available on the Society for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging website.
The Bellevue College Diagnostic Ultrasound Program curriculum meets the educational requirements for national certification. Students who complete Bellevue College’s Diagnostic Ultrasound Program will be prepared to take the national exam for their area of focus, administered by ARDMS.
Washington does not require an additional license for ultrasound. There are currently four states that require an additional license: New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota and Oregon.
The Bellevue College Medical Assistant curriculum meets the requirements for licensure in the state of Washington, as follows:
In addition to completing the program, Washington State requires additional licensure through the Washington State Dept of Health.
Each applicant must successfully pass one of the following exams within five years prior to submission of an initial application for medical assistant certified:
Students who complete Bellevue College’s Neurodiagnostic Technology Program will be prepared to take the national exam for EEG, administered by ABRET.
Washington State does not require additional licensure to work as a Neurodiagnostic Technician or EEG tech.
Oregon does not require a license to work as an EEG or NDT technician. Oregon does require a license to work as a polysomnographer.
The Bellevue College Associate Degree Nursing Program curriculum meets the educational requirements for the national certification that is required for employment in the United States. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) administers the exam.
In accordance with U.S. Department of Education Regulation 34 CFR 668.43 (a) (5) (v), the associate degree nursing program at Bellevue College meets the state education requirements for a registered nursing license in the states of Washington. Washington State Department of Health is the agency responsible for individual licensure.
Oregon licensure requires, in addition, seven hours of pain management-related CE for licensure.
Bellevue College has not determined if the associate degree nursing program at Bellevue College meets the state education requirements in any other state, any U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia. Please contact the state regulatory agency for nursing in any other state for which this information is needed.
The Bellevue College Nursing Assistant Technology program is state-approved and meets the educational requirements for state department of health licensure that is required for employment in the state of Washington.
Washington State Department of Health is the agency responsible for individual licensure.
Bellevue College has not determined if the Nursing Assistant Certified program at Bellevue College meets the state education requirements in any other state, any U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia.
In Washington State, phlebotomists are required to have a license issued by the State Department of Health. For students to practice phlebotomy/gain employment as a phlebotomist in the state of Washington they need to do the following:
There is no exam required for the state license.
Students who complete the Bellevue College Phlebotomy Program can gain employment in most other states without obtaining an additional license, with the exception of California, Nevada, and Louisiana.
Students who complete the Bellevue College phlebotomy program are not eligible to obtain a phlebotomy state license from California because they require completion of a PHLE program that’s been accredited by California.
Students who complete the Bellevue College Phlebotomy program AND obtain national certification are eligible to apply for state licensure in Nevada as a phlebotomist.
Students who complete the Bellevue College Phlebotomy program AND obtain national certification are eligible to apply for state licensure in Louisiana as a phlebotomist.
In addition to state licensure, students who complete the Bellevue College Phlebotomy program are also eligible to apply for and take an exam to obtain national phlebotomy certification through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification.
Before offering online/distance education to students residing outside Washington State, Bellevue College must be authorized by those states.
This is a standard requirement for all higher education institutions.
Unfortunately, Bellevue College is currently unable to offer distance education to students living in Puerto Rico due to high authorization costs and other limiting factors.
Some states may have restrictions on specific online programs—especially those involving licensure, internships, externships, clinicals, or practicums. If you’re considering such a program, please contact the program office or the Student Registration Office for guidance.
Currently a national agreement ensures that U.S. students have access to quality online learning, while federal law governs the application process for international students who wish to take online classes exclusively. International students not seeking an I-20 from Bellevue College may apply using the regular admissions application and fee.
Students are encouraged to consult with an advisor before registering and to visit the International Education website for more details.