1. (a) Step 2.

   1. (1) The institution must submit an application for certification that includes information about the institutional operations and the proposed course/degree program.
   2. (2) Submit the application and documentation in a Word file with a web link to the institution’s current catalog to: ICAC@adhe.edu.

2. (b)

   1. (1) An institution requesting the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board certification must provide documentation that the institution is:

      1. (A) Accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or Council on Higher Education Accreditation;
      2. (B) Authorized to operate as a postsecondary institution in its home state; and
      3. (C) Has documentation of home state approval and program accreditation for professional licensure programs.

   2. (2)

      1. (A) An institution applying for institutional or program certification for the first time must not advertise or operate in Arkansas until the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board certification is granted.
      2. (B)

3. (i) The term “home state” is defined as the state or country where the college/university has its initial charter or authorization to operate as a state-support, nonprofit, or for-profit postsecondary institution.

   1. (ii) A college/university could have state authorization and institutional accreditation to operate branch college/university campus locations and degree programs outside the home state.

      1. (c) An out-of-state institution must submit an application for Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board certification of courses and degree programs such as professional practice programs that are not covered under the participation agreement for SARA or the recognized regional compacts.

         1. (d) Institutional accreditation.

   2. (1)

      1. (A) Institutions seeking Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board certification must hold accreditation from an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or Council on Higher Education Accreditation.
      2. (B) Institutions that present accreditation from entities that are not recognized by the United States Department of Education or Council on Higher Education Accreditation will not be granted certification or an exemption from certification from the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

   3. (2)

      1. (A) Arkansas Code § 6-61-136 states that an individual shall not establish or operate an accrediting agency in Arkansas without recognition by the United States Department of Education.
      2. (B) An individual claiming to operate an accrediting agency in Arkansas or an entity representing itself as an accrediting agency in Arkansas that is not recognized by the United States Department of Education or Council on Higher Education Accreditation will be reported to the Consumer Protection Division of the office of the Attorney General.
   4. (3) In 2013, Arkansas Code § 6-61-136 was amended to allow unrecognized accrediting agencies to establish and operate in Arkansas for schools that do not receive federal funding and are operated solely to provide programs that prepare students for religious vocations.
   5. (4) An institution that does not offer associate degrees or above must contact the State Board of Private Career Education (www.sbpce.org) about school licensure requirements for offering in-Arkansas only noncredit courses, diplomas, or certificates in vocational/occupational areas.

   6. (5)

      1. (A) The State Board of Private Career Education is authorized to license private career schools to issue diplomas and certificates under Arkansas Code §§ 6-51-601 through 6-51-605.
      2. (B) Arkansas public and private/independent colleges and universities are exempt from licensure by the State Board of Private Career Education.

Codification Notes: “SARA” means the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement.