Clarification of the Appropriate Use of Terms “National” and “Regional” by Recognized Accrediting Agencies

What it does

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) proposes to issue this interpretive rule to revise and clarify its prior interpretation of its position on the use of descriptive terms by Department-recognized accrediting agencies, specifically, the use of "regional" and "national." The Department proposes this interpretive rule to interpret Section 496 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), and the general duty of accrediting agencies to not make false statements and misrepresentations. Institutions of higher education also are required to ensure that they do not misrepresent their accreditation status to students and the public.

The Education Department's summary, as published in the Federal Register.

What it would change

1 part of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations:

34 CFR 602

What happens next and when

We must receive your comments by March 19, 2026.

The agency's dates, word for word.

Check it yourself

• The document in the Federal Register
• Docket ED-2026-OPE-0067 on Regulations.gov
• Title 34 on eCFR

The record as published

Source: the Federal Register (public domain). The document in the Federal Register