Part VI. Certification Requirements
8VAC40-31-170. Initial certification, recertification, and change of ownership.
A. An institution shall not use the term "college" or "university" or words of similar meaning until it has received acknowledgment from council staff that the name is not in violation of 8VAC40-31-20.
1. A school may not use the term "college" in its name unless the school has been approved or seeks to offer programs at the associate degree or above.
2. A school may not use the term "university" in its name unless the school has been approved or seeks to offer programs at the master's degree or above.
3. The council may refuse to approve a name change when, in the council's judgment, the proposed name is likely to mislead the public about the school's identity or the nature of its programs.
4. A school seeking certification must notify council staff of its proposed name prior to filing such name with the State Corporation Commission.
5. Prior to receiving certification to operate, a copy of the school's certificate from the Virginia State Corporation Commission authorizing it to transact business in the Commonwealth under the acknowledged name must be submitted to council staff.
B. A school shall not operate in the Commonwealth of Virginia without first receiving certification to operate from the council. Certified schools shall not enter into any agreement to deliver or develop courses or programs of study in Virginia with noncertified postsecondary schools.
C. An out-of-state postsecondary school seeking certification to operate in the Commonwealth of Virginia must secure written documentation from the higher education coordinating or approving agency in the state or country in which the school is formed, chartered, established, or incorporated indicating that the school is operating in good standing. If the school formerly operated in another state or country but is not operating there at the time of its application to operate in Virginia, the school must secure from the higher education coordinating or approving agency documentation that it closed in good standing and would be allowed to reestablish a postsecondary school in that state or country. These written documentations must be provided to council staff.
D. A school submitting its initial application for certification will have 180 days to complete the application process, after which time its application will be withdrawn by the council and it will receive a refund of the application fee minus a nonrefundable administrative fee as listed in 8VAC40-31-260 D.
E. All certifications shall expire on the certificate expiration date. Applications for recertification must be submitted to council staff at least 60 days prior to the expiration date of the current certification. If a school allows its certification to operate to expire, the school shall not be eligible for recertification and must submit an application for initial certification including the appropriate application fee.
F. Certification is not transferable. In the event of a change of ownership of a certified school, the new owner or governing body must secure certification. The school must apply for certification within 45 business days following a change of ownership. During the 45-day period and the time required for the council staff to process the new application, up to and not exceeding 90 days, the old certification shall remain in effect provided that no changes have been made in the academic programs, policies, or financial considerations such that the change would constitute or create a violation of council's policies.
1. The following constitutes a change of ownership:
a. Purchase of the entire school or assets of school.
b. Transfer, sale, or purchase of stock, membership, or other direct or beneficial ownership interest by a single entity or by multiple entities in a single transaction or a series of transactions that results in at least 51% change in control.
2. The acquisition of an interest in a certified school by bequest, descent, survivorship, or operation of law does not constitute a change of ownership. However, the person acquiring the ownership interest shall send written notice to the council of such acquisition within 30 days of its closing or validation. The council may determine on a case-by-case basis that other similar transfers may not constitute a change of ownership.
3. New school owners are responsible for maintaining and servicing all student records that were the responsibility of the prior owners of the school.
4. New school owners are responsible for resolving all student complaints that were the responsibility of the prior owners of the school or that were filed with the council prior to the final approval of the change of ownership.
5. New school owners are responsible for honoring the terms of current student enrollment agreements, institutional scholarships, or institutional grants for all students who were enrolled or taking classes at the time the change of ownership took place.
G. Council staff will process all applications, conduct the site visit, and provide notice to applicants within 45 business days of receipt of a completed application package. Approval of the certificate to operate by the council is subject to scheduling of council meetings and other factors affecting the agendas of council meetings.
H. Valid-through dates of certificates to operate and due dates of recertification applications are as follows:
1. Out-of-state private degree-granting and career-technical school certificates are valid for one year beginning on September 1 of the calendar year and ending on August 31 of the following calendar year. Applications are due not later than July 2.
2. Out-of-state public institution certificates are valid for one year beginning on September 15 of the calendar year and ending on September 14 of the following calendar year. Applications are due not later than July 16.
3. In-state private nonprofit institution certificates are valid for one year beginning on October 1 of the calendar year and ending on September 30 of the following calendar year. Applications are due not later than August 2.
4. In-state proprietary degree-granting and career-technical school certificates are valid for one year beginning on October 15 of the calendar year and ending on October 14 of the following calendar year. Applications are due not later than August 16.
5. In-state proprietary career-technical school certificates (letters A-D) are valid for one year beginning on November 1 of the calendar year and ending on October 31 of the following calendar year. Applications are due not later than September 2.
6. In-state proprietary career-technical school certificates (letters E-P) are valid for one year beginning on November 15 of the calendar year and ending on November 14 of the following calendar year. Applications are due not later than September 16.
7. In-state proprietary career-technical school certificates (letters Q-Z and others) are valid for one year beginning on December 1 of the calendar year and ending on November 30 of the following calendar year. Applications are due not later than October 2.
Statutory Authority
§§ 23-9.6:1 and 23-276.3 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 23, eff. August 24, 2006; amended, Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 8, eff. February 3, 2014; Volume 32, Issue 17, eff. June 3, 2016.
8VAC40-31-180. Application requirements.
A. Each certification to operate attests that the school is in compliance with Chapter 21.1 (§ 23-276.1 et seq.) of Title 23 of the Code of Virginia and with this chapter.
B. To apply for certification, the following information must be submitted:
1. A completed certification application package provided by council staff.
2. A statement regarding the school's accreditation status, if applicable.
a. Career-technical schools must provide a statement that the courses of study offered conform to state, federal, trade, or manufacturing standards of training for the occupational fields in which such standards have been established or that courses conform to recognized training practices in those fields.
b. Out-of-state institutions and career-technical schools requesting initial certification must be accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) and must provide evidence that there has been no determination of limitation, suspension, revocation, or termination by the USDOE, an accrediting body, or a state regulatory body against the school within the past five years.
c. Unaccredited in-state institutions that offer courses for degree credit and existing unaccredited out-of-state career-technical schools must submit a plan of action for securing accreditation from an organization recognized by the USDOE, including the name of the accrediting organization and timeframe. In order to remain eligible for certification, the postsecondary school must secure, at a minimum, candidacy status or equivalent within three years of its initial date of certification, and initial accreditation no later than six years after initial certification. Changes to the plan of action timeframe for accreditation will be granted only at the discretion of the council.
d. Unaccredited in-state institutions that undergo a change of ownership during the time period covered by the plan of action for securing accreditation, and that wish to remain eligible for certification under new ownership, will remain on the plan of action timeframe established by the former ownership. This plan of action timeframe begins from the initial date of certification under the former ownership and encompasses the accreditation dates established in the plan of action put into place by the former ownership. No additional time will be granted for obtaining the minimum level of accreditation required of the plan of action due to the change in ownership. Changes to the plan of action timeframe for accreditation will not be granted except at the discretion of the council.
3. A transacted surety instrument form, with the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia named as the obligee.
4. A three-year projected budget that indicates that the school is capable of maintaining operational continuity for up to three years. The budget should demonstrate:
a. That the individual, partnership, or corporation that owns the school is solvent and has the financial capacity to support the operation; and
b. A positive net worth, accompanied by a reasonable debt to equity ratio.
5. A completed checklist, signed and dated, acknowledging full compliance with certification criteria, along with a notarized attestation statement signed by the chief executive officer or equivalent.
6. A company check in the correct, nonrefundable amount made payable to the Treasurer of Virginia.
7. A copy of the school's certificate, if incorporated, from the State Corporation Commission providing authorization to transact business within the Commonwealth.
8. For schools whose main campus is not in Virginia, a copy of the school's authorization to operate from the state agency in which its main campus is domiciled. No institution found to be operating illegally in another state shall be certified to operate in Virginia. An institution that has lost its legal authority to operate in another state shall be required to submit written documentation that describes the circumstances under which its authority was lost and to submit written documentation of the steps taken to remedy these circumstances before making application for certification in Virginia.
9. A complete listing of all sites, along with their addresses, phone numbers (if applicable), and programs offered at the site.
10. For new postsecondary school applicants, a signed and notarized statement provided by the president or CEO, that attests to any previous involvement in the operation of a postsecondary school or any previous involvement by any administrator, owner, controlling shareholder, or member of the school's governing board in the operation of a postsecondary school. At a minimum, this statement shall include the name(s) of previous schools, the dates of the involvement, the positions held within the school, the location, the status (open/closed, and accredited/nonaccredited) of the school, any known violation of federal or state financial aid rules by the school, any known violations of the policies of an accreditor of the school, any bankruptcy filings by the school, and conviction or civil penalty levied by any legal entity in connection with this or any other educational entity in which he was employed or invested.
11. A complete list of all diploma, certificate, or degree program offerings during the valid period of the certification. This list shall consist of the number of hours required for completion of each program, the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Code where applicable, and the type of program and degree.
a. New and unaccredited schools must also include their estimated annual enrollment projections and number of students per program; and
b. Schools that are renewing certificates to operate shall include from the previous year the following information:
(1) The number of degrees, certificates, or diplomas conferred for each program offered by the school at its Virginia facility.
(2) The number of students graduating and the number enrolled at its Virginia facility.
c. Unaccredited institutions of higher education and career-technical schools shall include, from follow-up surveys of graduates, the number of students reporting placement in jobs relating to their field of study within six months; and one year of graduation.
C. An existing postsecondary school licensed by any other state agency empowered by the Code of Virginia to license the school, its teachers or curriculum, or both, must become certified prior to enrolling any student into a course for degree credit or program of study. The school must submit an application for certification to operate that shall contain all of the requirements outlined in 8VAC40-31-160 B and C.
D. When a branch campus of a school is under different ownership or different school name than the main campus of the school, the branch campus must submit an application for certification to operate and must pay a separate certification fee than the main campus of the school.
E. Any proprietary postsecondary school must provide evidence of a valid business license from the locality within which it seeks to operate. If and when council receives confirmation that a school is operating without the required business license, council shall take action as required by § 23-276.15 of the Code of Virginia.
F. All postsecondary schools seeking certification to operate in Virginia must undergo and successfully complete a site visit prior to the issuance of the certificate to operate.
Statutory Authority
§ 23-276.3 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 23, eff. August 24, 2006; amended, Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 8, eff. February 3, 2014.
8VAC40-31-190. Withdrawal of application by a postsecondary school.
A. A school that has submitted an application to the council may withdraw that application without prejudice at any time.
B. Withdrawal of an application by a school shall result in revocation by the council of all authorizations associated with that application that previously had been granted to the school.
C. A school that has withdrawn an application may submit, at any time and without prejudice, a new application to the council in accordance with Part V (8VAC40-31-130 et seq.) of this chapter.
D. A school that withdraws an application prior to receiving notification of certification will receive a refund of the filing fee minus an administrative processing fee.
Statutory Authority
§ 23-276.3 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 23, eff. August 24, 2006; amended, Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 8, eff. February 3, 2014.
8VAC40-31-193. Loss of accreditation.
A. In the event of the loss of accreditation of a certified school, the council will move to revoke the school's certificate to operate.
B. The council may waive the revocation provided the school does the following within 30 days of the loss of accreditation:
1. Provide council staff with a copy of the accreditor's letter and full report explaining the reason for the revocation;
2. Provide council staff with a written explanation why the loss of accreditation should not impact the school's certification to operate in Virginia and any supporting documentation; and
3. Submit to an audit to determine compliance with the council's regulations.
C. Council staff shall consider the accreditor's report, the school explanation for the loss of accreditation, and the findings of the audit to prepare a report for the council that recommends:
1. Initiate revocation of the school's certificate to operate; or
2. Grant conditional certification, during which time the school may not enroll new students. The terms of the conditional certification will be fixed at staff discretion based upon their findings.
D. The school must maintain a surety instrument during the totality of the conditional certification period.
E. The school shall provide written notification to all enrolled students of its loss of accreditation from its accrediting body and of its provisional certification status with the council.
F. The school shall be eligible to apply for full certification upon meeting the following conditions:
1. Provide documentation that the issues causing the loss of accreditation have been resolved.
2. Demonstrate full compliance to the provisions of this chapter by virtue of an audit during the conditional certification period.
Statutory Authority
§ 23-276.3 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 8, eff. February 3, 2014.
8VAC40-31-195. Suspension or revocation of certificate to operate.
A. The council may (i) suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue or renew a certificate to operate; (ii) modify the certificate to operate to conditional; or (iii) impose a penalty pursuant to § 23-276.12 of the Code of Virginia for any one or combination of the following:
1. Violation of any provision of this chapter pursuant to § 23-276 of the Code of Virginia, the council's minimum standards, or any rule made by the council.
2. Furnishing of false, misleading, deceptive, altered, or incomplete information or documents to the council.
3. Violation of any attestations made in an application for a certificate to operate.
4. Presenting to prospective students, either at the time of solicitation or enrollment, or through advertising, mail circulars, or telephone solicitation, misleading, deceptive, false, or fraudulent information relating to any program, employment opportunity, or opportunities for enrollment after entering or completing programs offered by the school.
5. Presenting to prospective students, either at the time of solicitation or enrollment, or through advertising, mail circulars, or telephone solicitation, misleading, deceptive, false, or fraudulent information relating financial aid offered by the school.
6. Failure to provide or maintain premises or equipment for offering programs in a safe and sanitary condition as required by law or by state regulations or local ordinances.
7. Refusal by an agent while performing duties common to agents to display his agent's permit upon demand of a prospective student or council staff member or other interested persons.
8. Failure to maintain financial resources adequate to conduct satisfactorily the courses of instruction offered or to retain an adequate, qualified instructional staff.
9. Offering training or programs other than those acknowledged by the council.
10. Illegal discrimination in the acceptance of students.
11. Failure to provide the council or council staff within a reasonable timeframe any information, records, or files pertaining to the operation of the school or recruitment and enrollment of students or in response to an audit.
12. Employment of enrolled students in any commercial activity from which the school derives revenue without reasonable remuneration to the students unless the students are engaging in activities that are an integral component of their educational program.
13. Engaging in or authorizing other conduct that constitutes fraudulent or criminal activity.
B. A school is entitled to exercise its rights under the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia) prior to the denial, suspension, or revocation of its certificate to operate, pursuant to 8VAC40-31-220.
Statutory Authority
§ 23-276.3 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 8, eff. February 3, 2014.
8VAC40-31-200. Audit requirements.
A. All certified postsecondary schools shall be subject to random periodic audits. The purpose of such audit shall be to verify compliance with § 23-276 of the Code of Virginia and the provisions outlined in this chapter.
B. At the discretion of council staff, an audit review committee shall consist of the executive director or designee and may:
1. Include individuals with the experience in the disciplines in which the school provides instruction; and/or
2. Consist of council staff.
C. Audits shall be random or triggered by, but not limited to, the following events:
1. Council staff concerns based on questionable information in the initial or recertification application.
2. Greater than average volume and frequency of negative student complaints or adverse publicity.
3. Difficulty securing accreditation within the specified time period.
4. Adverse action by the USDOE or the school's accrediting agency.
5. A USDOE composite financial responsibility score of less than 1.0.
D. Following an audit of the school, council staff shall prepare a report with recommendations for review by the council. If a school is found noncompliant, the council may:
1. Determine no action is necessary and have the report filed;
2. Change the status to conditional certification and require remedial action(s) within a specified timeframe;
3. Initiate suspension or revocation of the school's certificate to operate.
Statutory Authority
§ 23-276.3 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 23, eff. August 24, 2006; amended, Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 8, eff. February 3, 2014.
8VAC40-31-210. Duplication of and need for instruction for degree credit is irrelevant.
In considering a school's application, the council shall not take into account either duplication of effort by public and private schools in Virginia or need within the Commonwealth for the course for degree credit, program of study, or degree program for which certification is sought.
Statutory Authority
§ 23-276.3 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 23, eff. August 24, 2006.