(a) Step 1.

1. (1) An institution must submit a letter of intent signed by the academic affairs officer of the institution.
2. (2) By the published timeline, the letter of intent must be submitted to the Division of Higher Education prior to submission of an application for certification.

(b) Certification period.

1. (1) There is a three-year initial certification period for courses/degree programs, and a three-year certification period for planning and development for the establishment of a new institution or a branch campus location in Arkansas.
2. (2) Course/degree program recertification is required at the conclusion of the initial certification period and when subsequent periods of certification expire, and will be granted for a three-year period.
3. (3) The certification period will expire on December 31 of year three.

(c)

1. (1) The three-year certification period will not be extended for institutional planning and development for a new Arkansas college/university or for an existing institution to locate a branch campus in Arkansas.
2. (2) Therefore, a new institution or branch campus must be ready to apply for initial certification of courses/degree programs by the end of the institutional planning and development period.