54 chapters · 1,103 sections in this title.
RCW 28B.85.010 Definitions.
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Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter:(1) "Council" means the student achievement council.(2) "Degree" means any designation, appellation, letters, or words including but not limited to "associate," "bachelor,…
RCW 28B.85.020 Council's duties—Rule-making authority.
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(1) The council:(a) Shall adopt by rule, in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW, minimum standards for degree-granting institutions concerning granting of degrees, quality of education, unfair business practices, financial stability, and other necessary measures to protect citizens…
RCW 28B.85.030 Current authorization required to offer or grant degree—Penalty for violation.
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(1) A degree-granting institution shall not operate and shall not grant or offer to grant any degree unless the institution has obtained current authorization from the council.(2) Any person, group, or entity or any owner, officer, agent, or employee of such entity who willfully …
RCW 28B.85.040 Completion of program of study prerequisite to degree—Application of chapter.
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(1) An institution or person shall not advertise, offer, sell, or award a degree or any other type of educational credential unless the student has enrolled in and successfully completed a prescribed program of study, as outlined in the institution's publications. This prohibitio…
RCW 28B.85.050 Council may require information.
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All degree-granting institutions subject to this chapter shall file information with the council as the council may require.[ 2012 c 229 s 546; 1986 c 136 s 5.]Notes:Effective date—2012 c 229 ss 101, 117, 401, 402, 501 through 594, 601 through 609, 701 through 708, 801 through 82…
RCW 28B.85.060 Fees.
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The council shall impose fees on any degree-granting institution authorized to operate under this chapter. Fees shall be set and revised by the council by rule at the level necessary to approximately recover the staffing costs incurred in administering this chapter. Fees shall be…
RCW 28B.85.070 Surety bonds—Security in lieu of bond—Cancellation of bond—Notice—Claims.
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(1) The council may require any degree-granting institution to have on file with the council an approved surety bond or other security in lieu of a bond in an amount determined by the council.(2) In lieu of a surety bond, an institution may deposit with the council a cash deposit…
RCW 28B.85.080 Suspension or modification of requirements authorized.
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The council may suspend or modify any of the requirements under this chapter in a particular case if the council finds that:(1) The suspension or modification is consistent with the purposes of this chapter; and(2) The education to be offered addresses a substantial, demonstrated…
RCW 28B.85.090 Complaints concerning unfair business practices—Online learning—Council must investigate—Penalties.
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(1) Complaints may be filed with the council under this chapter by a person claiming loss of tuition or fees; other loss or injury due to misrepresentation of educational programs, accreditation, support for or statistics relating to job placement, or measurements of student debt…
RCW 28B.85.095 Council's authority to enforce compliance—Violations.
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(1)(a) The council may deny, revoke, or suspend the authorization of any degree-granting institution authorized to operate under this chapter that is found to be in violation of this chapter.(b) The council may not delegate to any other state its authority to oversee and enforce …
RCW 28B.85.100 Violations—Civil penalties.
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Any person, group, or entity or any owner, officer, agent, or employee of such entity who willfully violates any provision of this chapter or the rules adopted under this chapter shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than one hundred dollars for each violation. Each day…
RCW 28B.85.120 Actions resulting in jurisdiction of courts.
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A degree-granting institution, whether located in this state or outside of this state, that conducts business of any kind, makes any offers, advertises, solicits, or enters into any contracts in this state or with a resident of this state is subject to the jurisdiction of the cou…
RCW 28B.85.130 Educational records—Permanent file—Protection.
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If any degree-granting institution discontinues its operation, the chief administrative officer of the institution shall file with the council the original or legible true copies of all educational records required by the council. If the council determines that any educational re…
RCW 28B.85.140 Contracts voidable—When.
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If a student or prospective student is a resident of this state at the time any contract relating to payment for education or any note, instrument, or other evidence of indebtedness relating thereto is entered into, RCW 28B.85.150 shall govern the rights of the parties to the con…
RCW 28B.85.150 Enforceability of debts—Authority to offer degree required.
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A note, instrument, or other evidence of indebtedness or contract relating to payment for education for a degree is not enforceable in the courts of this state by a degree-granting institution or holder of the instrument unless the institution was authorized to offer the degree u…
RCW 28B.85.160 Actions to enforce chapter—Who may bring—Relief.
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The attorney general or the prosecuting attorney of any county in which a degree-granting institution or agent of the institution is found may bring an action in any court of competent jurisdiction for the enforcement of this chapter. The court may issue an injunction or grant an…
RCW 28B.85.170 Injunctive relief—Council may seek.
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The council may seek injunctive relief, after giving notice to the affected party, in a court of competent jurisdiction for a violation of this chapter or the rules adopted under this chapter. The council need not allege or prove that the council has no adequate remedy at law. Th…
RCW 28B.85.175 Degree-granting institution requirements—Consumer protection act violations.
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(1) A degree-granting institution authorized to operate under this chapter must:(a) Present data about its completion rates, employment rates, loan or indebtedness metrics, or its graduates' median hourly and annual earnings, the posted data consistent with the data posted on the…
RCW 28B.85.180 Violation of chapter unfair or deceptive practice under RCW 19.86.020.
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A violation of this chapter or the rules adopted under this chapter affects the public interest and is an unfair or deceptive act or practice in violation of RCW 19.86.020 of the consumer protection act. The remedies and sanctions provided by this section shall not preclude appli…
RCW 28B.85.190 Remedies and penalties in chapter nonexclusive and cumulative.
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The remedies and penalties provided for in this chapter are nonexclusive and cumulative and do not affect any other actions or proceedings.[ 1986 c 136 s 19.]
RCW 28B.85.220 False academic credentials—Unlawful acts—Violation of consumer protection act—Venue.
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(1) It is unlawful for a person to:(a) Grant or award a false academic credential or offer to grant or award a false academic credential in violation of this section;(b) Represent that a credit earned or granted by the person, in violation of this section, can be applied toward a…
RCW 28B.85.230 Student achievement council tuition recovery trust fund.
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(1)(a) For the purpose of providing relief to students impacted by the voluntary or involuntary closure of schools regulated under this chapter, the council shall establish, maintain, and administer a student achievement council tuition recovery trust fund created in RCW 28B.85.2…
RCW 28B.85.240 Student achievement council tuition recovery trust fund—State treasurer.
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The student achievement council tuition recovery trust fund is created in the custody of the state treasurer. All receipts from fees imposed on schools licensed under this chapter and RCW 28B.85.230 must be deposited into the fund. Expenditures from the fund may be used only for …
RCW 28B.85.250 Waivers of state requirements—Interstate reciprocity agreements for online education.
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The council may utilize its authority to waive state requirements for institutions participating in interstate reciprocity agreements for online or distance education if:(1) Such waivers are consistent with federal regulations and requirements for state authorization pursuant to …
RCW 28B.85.902 Effective date—1986 c 136.
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This act shall take effect July 1, 1986.[ 1986 c 136 s 24.]
RCW 28B.85.905 Validity of registration under prior laws.
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A degree-granting institution registered under chapter 188, Laws of 1979, as amended, as of June 30, 1986, is not required to apply for authorization under chapter 28B.85 RCW until the expiration date of such registration.[ 1986 c 136 s 22.]
RCW 28B.85.906 Application of chapter to foreign degree-granting institution branch campuses.
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This chapter shall not apply to any approved branch campus of a foreign degree-granting institution in compliance with chapter 28B.90 RCW.[ 1993 c 181 s 7.]