States and their colleges and universities face competing pressures when it comes to meeting the economy's demand for a more educated workforce. As providers and regulators of online education, states have a unique and challenging opportunity. They must promote access and quality assurance while working in coordination with the federal government and accreditation agencies. The expectation that state regulators can ensure both access and quality will only grow with the continued expansion of online programs by public, private, and for-profit institutions. This brief suggests that governors should consider calling for a review of current state laws and regulations surrounding authorization of online programs, focusing on questions in three key areas: (1) Purpose: What is the state trying to accomplish through the authorization process?; (2) Requirements: What is required of institutions seeking authorization? How do the requirements relate to the purpose(s) of authorization?; and (3) Capacity and cost: Does the state have a sustainable model for authorization, assuming that the number of online institutions and programs seeking authorization will continue to grow? Could economies of scale be realized by joining with other states to authorize online institutions and programs?