blue background
Information for Students Located Outside Washington
TCC proudly welcomes students from across the United States and around the world!
While many programs are available online, some programs require on-campus attendance.
Students are recommend to review program details in the college catalog and/or contacting the program chair for specific requirements before applying.
State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA)
Tacoma Community College (TCC) participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) managed by the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). These agreements expand access to quality online education for students across the United States. The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) administers SARA on behalf of Washington and ensures that participating institutions meet SARA’s standards.
Through SARA, students in member states can enroll in TCC’s online programs without navigating complex state-by-state authorization requirements. This agreement provides greater flexibility, reduces barriers for out-of-state students, and supports those who may relocate while completing their studies. SARA also offers important consumer protections. Participating institutions must meet consistent standards for quality and integrity, provide clear disclosures about professional licensure eligibility, and maintain transparent complaint resolution processes. These safeguards help ensure students receive accurate information and have a formal avenue for addressing concerns related to distance education.
Regional Accreditation Statement
Tacoma Community College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited college or university is one which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation. Accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is not partial but applies to the institution as a whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of every course or program offered, or the competence of individual graduates. Rather, it provides reasonable assurance about the quality of opportunities available to students who attend the institution.Inquiries regarding an institution's accredited status by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities should be directed to the administrative staff of the institution.
In addition to NWCCU accreditation, professional-technical programs that lead to licensure or certification also hold program-level accreditation. Refer to the program information below for details on their respective accrediting bodies.
Professional Licensure
Professional licensure is a process of state or other governmental entities that establish standards of practice and give legal permission to practice a profession by providing licenses or certifications to individuals who meet those standards. These requirements vary by profession and state. TCC programs that lead to licensure or certification meet the academic requirements established by the state of Washington.
Prospective students residing outside of Washington and are considering a TCC licensure or certification program should contact their state’s licensing board before applying to TCC to confirm the program meets the academic requirements.
TCC Programs Leading to Licensure/Certification
Professional Licensure Disclosures
In compliance with 34 CFR 668.43(c), TCC provides public and direct disclosures regarding professional licensure and certification to prospective and current students. This ensures transparency and helps students understand the educational requirements for their chosen profession. Disclosures are limited to Tacoma Community College’s determination of whether its programs, when successfully completed, meet the educational requirements for licensure or certification. TCC does not verify an individual’s eligibility for licensure or certification beyond its academic offerings. Final determinations are made by the appropriate state licensing boards.
Direct disclosures are based on location using the address a student provided at the time of application. Students who relocate during their program are required to update their address in ctcLink and notify their program chair. Their chair will work with these students to understand how relocation may affect licensure or certification requirements.
While TCC strives to keep disclosure information current, licensure requirements may change at any time. Students are encouraged to regularly review their state licensing agency’s requirements throughout their program to ensure continued compliance.
Continuity of Access and Service
TCC is committed to ensuring students have uninterrupted access to their records and essential information, even in the event of a college closure or local catastrophic event. Student data is maintained within ctcLink, a centralized, cloud-based system managed by the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC). This system ensures that all information is securely stored and protected in compliance with state and federal regulations. Because ctcLink is hosted on secure cloud servers, data remains safeguarded even during campus closures. Regular backups are performed to prevent data loss and support business continuity. In any closure or emergency scenario, authorized access to student data will remain available through ctcLink, ensuring compliance and continuity of service.
In addition to ctcLink, TCC uses Canvas, a secure, cloud-based learning management system, to deliver online courses and instructional materials. Because Canvas is hosted on cloud servers, students can continue accessing coursework and resources even during campus closures or emergencies.
The college also follows all student record retention requirements outlined in the Washington State Community and Technical Colleges Records Retention Schedule, as well as SBCTC and accreditation requirements for program or institutional closures.
TCC is prepared to deal with actual or potential emergencies or crises that occur on or near campus. To learn about emergency preparedness and response at TCC, visit TCC Ready.
Student Complaint Resolution Process
If a student is enrolled in TCC online courses and is located outside Washington State, and believes the college has provided inaccurate information, the student has the right to file a formal grievance. The college is committed to addressing student concerns promptly and ensuring that students receive accurate information and fair treatment throughout the process.
Step 1: TCC’s Student Grievance Procedures
A student should first review and follow TCC Student Grievance Procedures.
Step 2: Contact the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)
If the concern is not resolved through TCC’s grievance process, the student may escalate the complaint to the Washington Student Achievement Council. WSAC has authority to investigate student complaints against certain institutions; however, please note that WSAC may not be able to investigate every complaint. For more information and to submit a complaint, visit the WSAC Student Complaint Process page.
State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA)
Tacoma Community College (TCC) participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) managed by the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). These agreements expand access to quality online education for students across the United States. The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) administers SARA on behalf of Washington and ensures that participating institutions meet SARA’s standards.
Through SARA, students in member states can enroll in TCC’s online programs without navigating complex state-by-state authorization requirements. This agreement provides greater flexibility, reduces barriers for out-of-state students, and supports those who may relocate while completing their studies. SARA also offers important consumer protections. Participating institutions must meet consistent standards for quality and integrity, provide clear disclosures about professional licensure eligibility, and maintain transparent complaint resolution processes. These safeguards help ensure students receive accurate information and have a formal avenue for addressing concerns related to distance education.
Regional Accreditation Statement
Tacoma Community College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited college or university is one which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation. Accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is not partial but applies to the institution as a whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of every course or program offered, or the competence of individual graduates. Rather, it provides reasonable assurance about the quality of opportunities available to students who attend the institution.Inquiries regarding an institution's accredited status by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities should be directed to the administrative staff of the institution.
In addition to NWCCU accreditation, professional-technical programs that lead to licensure or certification also hold program-level accreditation. Refer to the program information below for details on their respective accrediting bodies.
Professional Licensure
Professional licensure is a process of state or other governmental entities that establish standards of practice and give legal permission to practice a profession by providing licenses or certifications to individuals who meet those standards. These requirements vary by profession and state. TCC programs that lead to licensure or certification meet the academic requirements established by the state of Washington.
Prospective students residing outside of Washington and are considering a TCC licensure or certification program should contact their state’s licensing board before applying to TCC to confirm the program meets the academic requirements.
TCC Programs Leading to Licensure/Certification
Professional Licensure Disclosures
In compliance with 34 CFR 668.43(c), TCC provides public and direct disclosures regarding professional licensure and certification to prospective and current students. This ensures transparency and helps students understand the educational requirements for their chosen profession. Disclosures are limited to Tacoma Community College’s determination of whether its programs, when successfully completed, meet the educational requirements for licensure or certification. TCC does not verify an individual’s eligibility for licensure or certification beyond its academic offerings. Final determinations are made by the appropriate state licensing boards.
Direct disclosures are based on location using the address a student provided at the time of application. Students who relocate during their program are required to update their address in ctcLink and notify their program chair. Their chair will work with these students to understand how relocation may affect licensure or certification requirements.
While TCC strives to keep disclosure information current, licensure requirements may change at any time. Students are encouraged to regularly review their state licensing agency’s requirements throughout their program to ensure continued compliance.
Continuity of Access and Service
TCC is committed to ensuring students have uninterrupted access to their records and essential information, even in the event of a college closure or local catastrophic event. Student data is maintained within ctcLink, a centralized, cloud-based system managed by the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC). This system ensures that all information is securely stored and protected in compliance with state and federal regulations. Because ctcLink is hosted on secure cloud servers, data remains safeguarded even during campus closures. Regular backups are performed to prevent data loss and support business continuity. In any closure or emergency scenario, authorized access to student data will remain available through ctcLink, ensuring compliance and continuity of service.
In addition to ctcLink, TCC uses Canvas, a secure, cloud-based learning management system, to deliver online courses and instructional materials. Because Canvas is hosted on cloud servers, students can continue accessing coursework and resources even during campus closures or emergencies.
The college also follows all student record retention requirements outlined in the Washington State Community and Technical Colleges Records Retention Schedule, as well as SBCTC and accreditation requirements for program or institutional closures.
TCC is prepared to deal with actual or potential emergencies or crises that occur on or near campus. To learn about emergency preparedness and response at TCC, visit TCC Ready.
Student Complaint Resolution Process
If a student is enrolled in TCC online courses and is located outside Washington State, and believes the college has provided inaccurate information, the student has the right to file a formal grievance. The college is committed to addressing student concerns promptly and ensuring that students receive accurate information and fair treatment throughout the process.
Step 1: TCC’s Student Grievance Procedures
A student should first review and follow TCC Student Grievance Procedures.
Step 2: Contact the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)
If the concern is not resolved through TCC’s grievance process, the student may escalate the complaint to the Washington Student Achievement Council. WSAC has authority to investigate student complaints against certain institutions; however, please note that WSAC may not be able to investigate every complaint. For more information and to submit a complaint, visit the WSAC Student Complaint Process page.