Standing With State and Other Accreditors

An institution has a responsibility to remain in good standing with each state in which it is authorized or licensed as well as with any other recognized accreditor by which it is accredited or pre-accredited up to the point that it voluntarily withdraws from such relationships. An institution shall fairly represent to HLC and to the public its history and status with other recognized accreditors and with each state in which it is authorized or licensed. This obligation includes accurately disclosing when an action affecting its accreditation status has been taken by any other recognized accreditor.

An institution shall disclose to HLC any pending or final state actions that affect the institution’s legal status or authority to grant degrees or offer programs. An institution shall also disclose to HLC any pending or final actions by a recognized accreditor to withdraw accredited or pre-accredited status or to impose a sanction, Show-Cause Order or adverse action. Such disclosure shall take place at the time of the action by the respective entity and on HLC’s Institutional Update as well as in preparation for a comprehensive evaluation by HLC.

HLC Review. If another recognized accreditor or if a state has taken any of these actions, HLC will undertake a prompt review of the institution and the related action.

With regard to an applying institution, HLC, through its decision-making processes and subject to the limitations in the Eligibility Requirements, will carefully weigh these matters in reaching its own decision to grant candidacy or initial accreditation. If it chooses to grant candidacy or initial accreditation to an institution that has been subject to such an action by an accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, it will provide the Secretary of Education a written explanation of why that action is appropriate within thirty days of taking the action.

With regard to an accredited institution, HLC will determine whether additional review or HLC action, including sanction or withdrawal of accreditation, is appropriate. HLC may undertake its review in any way provided for in HLC policy.

Policy History

Last Revised: February 2022
First Adopted: January 1983
Revision History: Policy 9.1 (Adopted January 1983, revised February 1996, effective June 1996, revised February 1998, revised June 2008); Policy 9.2 (Adopted February 1986, revised February 1996, effective July 1996, revised June 2001, revised June 2008); Policy 9.3 (Adopted February 1988, revised February 1996, revised February 1998); Policy 9.4 (Adopted February 1998, revised June 2008); combined, revised, and renumbered June 2012; revised June 2019, effective September 1, 2019; revised June 2021; revised February 2022
Notes: Former policy number 4.0(i). In February 2021, references to the Higher Learning Commission as “the Commission” were replaced with the term “HLC.”