Starting a Religiously Exempt University or College

A “religious-exempt” college or seminary is one that teaches solely religious or ministerial subjects under the ownership or control of a bona-fide church or denomination. Where allowed, this status lets founders bypass the usual higher-education license so long as they:

Limit offerings to faith-based programs (biblical studies, ministry, sacred music, etc).
Label every award as religious (e.g., Bachelor of Biblical Studies rather than B.A.).
File any notice or affidavit the state requires and keep consumer disclosures clear.
Stay out of secular coursework and federal student-aid programs.

State-by-State Religious-Exemption Matrix

State	Exemption Type	Process Snapshot
Alabama	Non-Degree Only	File one-page affidavit with Postsecondary Education Dept.; no degree titles permitted.
Alaska	Non-Degree Only	Notify Commission on Postsecondary Education; limit awards to diplomas/certificates.
Arizona	Degree & Non-Degree	Submit exemption request to Board; prove church control; annual renewal letter.
Arkansas	Degree & Non-Degree	One-time letter to Dept. of Higher Ed.; maintain religious purpose statement.
California	Degree & Non-Degree	File BPPE exemption form, catalog, and doctrinal statement; update if programs change.
Colorado	Degree & Non-Degree	Mail notice with bylaws to Degree Authorization Act unit; no routine renewal.
Connecticut	No Exemption	Normal licensure required through Office of Higher Education.
Delaware	No Exemption	Licensure through Dept. of Education; no statutory religious carve-out.
Florida	Degree & Non-Degree	Annual sworn affidavit to CIE (Form 1005.06(1)(f)); religious degree titles only.
Georgia	Degree & Non-Degree	Complete Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission exemption form; biennial fee.
Hawaii	Degree & Non-Degree	Send religious affidavit to Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs; post disclosure.
Idaho	Degree & Non-Degree	Notify State Board; maintain nonprofit status and faith-based scope.
Illinois	No Exemption	Board of Higher Education approval required for all programs.
Indiana	Degree & Non-Degree	File Certificate of Religious Exemption; update catalog annually.
Iowa	Degree & Non-Degree	Submit simple exemption form to College Student Aid Commission; keep records on site.
Kansas	Degree & Non-Degree	Register once with Board of Regents; supply charter & course list.
Kentucky	Degree & Non-Degree	Submit affidavit to Council on Postsecondary Ed.; include doctrinal control proof.
Louisiana	Degree & Non-Degree	Mail religious affidavit to Board of Regents; exempt schools list updated yearly.
Maine	Degree & Non-Degree	Apply for religious exemption with Dept. of Education; minimal follow-up.
Maryland	Degree & Non-Degree	File notarized application with MHEC; public-facing disclaimer required.
Massachusetts	No Exemption	All institutions need Board of Higher Education approval.
Michigan	No Exemption	State licensure through Dept. of LEO; no religious carve-out.
Minnesota	Degree & Non-Degree	Submit exemption form and catalog to Office of Higher Ed.; renew every two years.
Mississippi	No Exemption	Institutions must obtain Commission on College Accreditation approval.
Missouri	Degree & Non-Degree	One-time declaration to Dept. of Higher Ed.; maintain exclusive religious scope.
Montana	No Exemption	Licensure via Board of Regents; exemption not available.
Nebraska	No Exemption	Coordinating Commission licensure mandatory.
Nevada	No Exemption	Apply for licensure with Commission on Postsecondary Education.
New Hampshire	No Exemption	Higher Education Commission approval required.
New Jersey	No Exemption	State licensure through Office of the Secretary of Higher Education.
New Mexico	Degree & Non-Degree	File limited-scope exemption; annual data report required.
New York	No Exemption	Regents’ authorization needed for all degree programs.
North Carolina	Degree & Non-Degree	Send exemption affidavit to Board of Governors; maintain faith-only curriculum.
North Dakota	No Exemption	Licensure through State Board of Higher Ed.; religious carve-out absent.
Ohio	Degree & Non-Degree	Submit annual affidavit to Dept. of Higher Ed.; must use religious degree titles.
Oklahoma	No Exemption	Licensing via State Regents or PPSAC; no exemption.
Oregon	Non-Degree Only	Register as "religious exempt" with HECC; degrees prohibited; issue diplomas only.
Pennsylvania	No Exemption	Authorization via Dept. of Ed.; religious schools follow standard rules.
Rhode Island	No Exemption	Council on Postsecondary Ed. approval required.
South Carolina	Degree & Non-Degree	File affidavit with Commission on Higher Ed.; biennial renewal.
South Dakota	Non-Degree Only	Notify Secretary of State; limit awards to certificates of ministry.
Tennessee	No Exemption	Religious institutions must obtain standard authorization.
Texas	Degree & Non-Degree	Submit exemption application under §132.002(a)(2) to Texas Workforce Commission; yearly list verification.
Utah	Degree & Non-Degree	File religious exemption form with Dept. of Commerce; update if programs change.
Vermont	Non-Degree Only	Clergy training schools exempt; cannot award degrees; simple notice to Agency of Ed.
Virginia	Degree & Non-Degree	Complete SCHEV religious exemption package; consumer notice on web/catalog.
Washington	Degree & Non-Degree	Apply for exemption with WA Student Achievement Council; post mandated disclaimer.
West Virginia	Degree & Non-Degree	Send affidavit to Higher Ed. Policy Comm.; renew upon material change.
Wisconsin	Degree & Non-Degree	File exemption request with Educational Approval Program; maintain nonprofit status.
Wyoming	Degree & Non-Degree	Register once with Dept. of Education; keep exclusively religious focus.

*Process snapshots are condensed for quick reference; always consult current statutes and agency guidance before proceeding.

Key Take-Aways

Check your category first. If your state shows “No Exemption,” plan on full licensure from day one.
For exempt states, keep a paper trail. Even “automatic” exemptions can be challenged if the school drifts into secular studies or mislabels credentials.
Disclose clearly. Most exempt states require a statement such as “This institution is a religious school and is exempt from state oversight.”
Stay mission-pure. Adding secular courses voids the exemption and may invite fines or closure.

With a narrowly defined faith-based curriculum, transparent marketing, and the correct state filing, launching a religious-exempt college or seminary can be far simpler—and less costly—than pursuing a conventional license.

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