Ed Dept Redefines 'National' for School Accreditors
Published Date: 2/17/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The Department of Education is clearing up how accrediting agencies can use the words “national” and “regional” when talking about their coverage. Schools and accrediting groups must be honest about their accreditation to avoid confusing students and the public. Comments on this change are open until March 19, 2026, with no direct costs expected but a big push for clear, truthful info.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Institutions Face Penalties For Mislabeling
The Department warns institutions that calling their accreditation 'regional' when it is not could be a misrepresentation under 34 CFR 668.71. If the Secretary finds an institution made substantial misrepresentations, actions can include revoking the institution's program participation agreement or denying participation applications.
No More 'Regional' Accreditor Label
The Department says accrediting agencies recognized by the Secretary should not call themselves 'regional.' Instead, non-programmatic accrediting agencies should describe themselves as 'nationally recognized' or 'institutional,' and may only say they operate in a particular 'region' as a factual description of where they work.
Transfer, Distance Education, And Student Choice
The Department says using 'regional' can mislead students about transfer credit and out-of-state or distance education eligibility and urges institutions and State licensure boards to stop relying on the outdated distinction. The Department encourages States and licensure boards to revise laws and policies that treat 'regional' accreditation as a separate or superior category.
Grandfathered Proprietary Liberal Arts Rules Clarified
The Department clarifies the narrow statutory grandfather for proprietary institutions under Section 102(b)(1)(A): to qualify the program must have been offered prior to January 1, 2009, have continuously held accreditation since October 1, 2007, and the accrediting agency must have been recognized as 'regional' as of October 1, 2007 and also be a nationally recognized accrediting agency. The Department says this narrow exception does not recreate a general 'regional' category going forward.
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