U.S. Department of Education Issues Proposed Interpretive Rule to Eliminate the Use of “Regional” by Accrediting Agencies

Today, the U.S. Department of Education (the Department) issued a proposed interpretive rule clarifying that the "regional" label used by accrediting agencies and other entities creates inappropriate barriers and misleads students and the public.

The phrase "regionally accredited" (and similar terminology) has often been used to create artificial distinctions among accreditors and institutions of higher education, with some suggesting - incorrectly - that "regional" accreditation is superior to "national" accreditation. Regardless of geographic scope, the Department holds all recognized institutional accreditors to the same standards: promoting high-quality education that supports student success.

The Department does not recognize accrediting agencies as "regional" accreditors. This proposed interpretive rule clarifies that institutional accreditors should describe their scope as national or institutional - not regional. Accreditors also have an obligation to ensure their member institutions accurately represent their accreditation status to prospective and current students and the public, including in admissions and marketing materials and transfer of credit policies.

Although the Department eliminated the concept of "regional" accreditors from its regulations in 2019, some recognized accreditors, colleges and universities, states, and professional licensure boards still continue to perpetuate this outdated distinction. Continued use of the term contributes to confusion among students and families, drives up the cost of higher education - including through discriminatory transfer credit policies - and may limit graduates' access to professional licensure opportunities.

"Accreditors, institutions of higher education, states, and professional licensure boards continue to cling to outdated terminology that prioritizes artificially inflated prestige over real student outcomes," said Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent. "Through this proposed interpretive rule, the Trump Administration is advancing reforms to strengthen higher education and reduce barriers for students, families, and taxpayers. We urge those still holding on to the misleading phrase 'regional accreditor' to abandon it immediately."

Public Comment:

Comments on the proposed interpretive rule can be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. The Department will not accept comments submitted by fax or email. The Department must receive comments on or before March 19.

Background:

Section 101 of the Higher Education Act defines an institution of higher education, which includes the requirement that an institution "is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association." In 2019, the Department issued a final rule to conform regulations to the statutory requirement that all accrediting agencies recognized by the Secretary are designated as nationally recognized accrediting agencies.

The Department has seen consistent, continued use of the term "regional" by accrediting agencies, institutions, and other entities. Particularly impactful are some institutional transfer of credit policies, which have denied students their hard earned and paid for credits based on the fact that the previous institution was not "regionally" accredited.

The Department issues this proposed interpretive rule to make it clear that these practices are misleading.

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