§3675 Approval of accredited courses

Act of February 23, 1917, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(B), is act Feb. 23, 1917, ch. 114, 39 Stat. 929, known as the Smith-Hughes Vocational Education Act, which was classified to sections 11 to 15 and 16 to 28 of Title 20, Education, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 105–33, title VI, § 6201, Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 653. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

note set out under section 11 of Title 20 and Tables. The Higher Education Act of 1965, referred to in subsec. (b)(4)(A), is Pub. L. 89–329, Nov. 8, 1965, 79 Stat. 1219. Title IV of the Act is classified generally to subchapter IV (§ 1070 et seq.) of chapter 28 of Title 20, Education. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1 of Pub. L. 89–329, set out as a

note under section 1001 of Title 20 and Tables.

2025—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 118–210, § 207(b)(3), substituted “(15), (16), and (18)” for “(15), (16), and (17)”. Pub. L. 118–210, § 206(b)(2)(B), substituted “(15), (16), and (17)” for “(14), (15), and (16)”. Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 118–210, § 205, amended par. (4) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (4) read as follows: “The educational institution is approved and participates in a program under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.) or the Secretary has waived the requirement under this paragraph with respect to an educational institution and submits to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives notice of such waiver.” Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 118–210, § 206(a), added par. (5). Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 118–210, § 207(a), added par. (6). 2021—Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 116–315, § 1015(a)(1), added par. (4). Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 116–315, § 1015(a)(2), added subsec. (d). 2016—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 114–315, § 408(b)(1), substituted “A State approving agency, or the Secretary when acting in the role of a State approving agency,” for “The Secretary or a State approving agency” and “not covered by section 3672 of this title” for “offered by proprietary for-profit educational institutions” in introductory provisions. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 114–315, § 408(b)(2)(A), substituted “the State approving agency, or the Secretary when acting in the role of a State approving agency,” for “the Secretary or the State approving agency” in introductory provisions. Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 114–315, § 408(b)(2)(B), substituted “the State approving agency, or the Secretary when acting in the role of a State approving agency” for “the Secretary or the State approving agency”. Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 114–315, § 410(b), which directed amendment of subsec. (b)(3) by substituting “(3), and (14)” for “and (3)”, could not be executed because the words “and (3)” did not appear after amendment by Pub. L. 114–315, § 409(c)(1). See below. Pub. L. 114–315, § 409(c)(2), inserted before period at end “(or, with respect to such paragraphs (14) and (15), the requirements under such paragraphs are waived pursuant to subsection (f)(1) of section 3676 of this title)”. Pub. L. 114–315, § 409(c)(1), substituted “(3), (14), (15), and (16)” for “and (3)”. 2011—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 111–377, § 203(c)(1), substituted “The Secretary or a State approving agency may approve accredited programs (including non-degree accredited programs) offered by proprietary for-profit educational institutions” for “A State approving agency may approve the courses offered by an educational institution” in introductory provisions. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 111–377, § 203(c)(2), inserted “the Secretary or” after “this section,” in introductory provisions and after “as prescribed by” in par. (1). 2004—Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 108–454 added par. (4). 2003—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 108–183 added subsec. (c). 1996—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–275 amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) read as follows: “As a condition to approval under this section, the State approving agency must find that adequate records are kept by the educational institution to show the progress of each eligible person or veteran and must include as a minimum (except for attendance) the requirements set forth in section 3676(c)(7) of this title. The State approving agency must also find that the educational institution maintains a written record of the previous education and training of the eligible person or veteran and clearly indicates that appropriate credit has been given by the institution for previous education and training, with the training period shortened proportionately and the eligible person or veteran and the Secretary so notified.” 1994—Subsec. (a)(2)(B). Pub. L. 103–446 substituted “Except as provided in section 3672(e) of this title, a State” for “A State”. 1992—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–568 designated existing provisions as par. (1), redesignated former par. (1) as subpar. (A), redesignated former par. (2) as subpar. (B), substituted “the Act of February 23, 1917 (20 U.S.C. 11 et seq.);” for “section 11–28 of title 20; or”, redesignated former par. (3) as subpar. (C), added subpar. (D) and pars. (2) and (3), and struck out former concluding provisions which read as follows: “For the purposes of this chapter the Secretary of Education shall publish a list of nationally recognized accrediting agencies and associations which the Secretary determines to be reliable authority as to the quality of training offered by an educational institution and the State approving agencies may, upon concurrence, utilize the accreditation of such accrediting associations or agencies for approval of the courses specifically accredited and approved by such accrediting association or agency. In making application for approval, the institution shall transmit to the State approving agency copies of its catalog or bulletin which must be certified as true and correct in content and policy by an authorized representative of the school. The catalog or bulletin must specifically state its progress requirements for graduation and must include as a minimum the information required by section 3676(b)(6) and (7) of this title.” 1991—Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a), renumbered section 1775 of this title as this section. Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(c)(1), substituted “3676(b)(6)” for “1776(b)(6)” in last sentence. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(c)(1), substituted “3676(c)(7)” for “1776(c)(7)”. 1989—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 101–237 substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator”. 1980—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 96–466 substituted “Secretary” for “Commissioner” in two places. 1976—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94–502, § 513(a)(2), substituted “the Commissioner determines” for “he determines”. Pub. L. 94–502, § 504(1), inserted provision requiring that copies of the school bulletin be certified by an authorized representative of the school and that the bulletin specify the progress requirements for graduation and certain other information. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94–502, § 504(2), inserted provision requiring that school records contain as a minimum, except for attendance, the requirements set forth in section 1776(c)(7) of this title. 1966—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 89–358 inserted “or veteran” after “eligible person” in three places.

of 2025 AmendmentAmendment by section 207 of Pub. L. 118–210, effective Aug. 1, 2025, and applicable with respect to a quarter, semester, or term, as applicable, commencing on or after such date, see section 207(c) of Pub. L. 118–210, set out as a note under section 3672 of this title.

of 2021 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 116–315 effective on Aug. 1, 2021, see section 1015(c) of Pub. L. 116–315, set out as a note under section 3672 of this title.

of 2011 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 111–377 effective Aug. 1, 2011, see section 203(e) of Pub. L. 111–377, set out as a note under section 3034 of this title.

of 2004 Amendment Pub. L. 108–454, title I, § 110(c)(2), Dec. 10, 2004, 118 Stat. 3605, provided that: “The amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall take effect as if included in the enactment of section 305(a) of the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 (Public Law 108–183; 117 Stat. 2660).”

of 2003 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 108–183 applicable to courses approved by State approving agencies after Dec. 16, 2003, see section 305(f) of Pub. L. 108–183, set out as a note under section 3452 of this title.

of 1994 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 103–446 applicable with respect to programs of education exclusively by correspondence and to correspondence-residence courses commencing more than 90 days after Nov. 2, 1994, see section 605(b) of Pub. L. 103–446, set out as a note under section 3672 of this title.

of 1980 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 96–466 effective Oct. 1, 1980, see section 802(h) of Pub. L. 96–466, set out as a note under section 3452 of this title.

of 1976 AmendmentAmendment by section 504 and 513(a)(2) of Pub. L. 94–502 effective Dec. 1, 1976, and Oct. 15, 1976, respectively, see section 703(b), (c) of Pub. L. 94–502, set out as an

note under section 3693 of this title.