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Eligibility Process and Candidacy

Most new HLC member institutions achieve accreditation through the Eligibility Process and Candidacy. A college or university is eligible to apply for HLC membership through this process if it meets certain requirements, including being incorporated in, or operating under federal authority in, the United States; and having a substantial presence, as defined in HLC policy, in the United States.

Note: If an institution is currently accredited by a historically regional accrediting agency or a state entity recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as an institutional accreditor, it may be eligible to seek accreditation through the Accelerated Process for Initial Accreditation.

Documents and Forms

Eligibility Process and Candidacy: Process Overview

Milestone Planner: Eligibility Process and Candidacy

Forms

HLC Systems

In 2025, HLC is streamlining the online systems that support our accreditation processes. The stand-alone Assurance System will be sunset during fall 2025, and institutions and peer reviewers will conduct their work for comprehensive evaluations and biennial evaluations in HLC’s Canopy system.

Assurance System

For reviews taking place before September 1, 2025

Canopy

For reviews taking place on or after September 1, 2025

Eligibility Filings Submitted Prior to September 2021

Institutions that submitted an Eligibility Filing prior to September 2021 should follow the format that was in effect at the time of their initial Eligibility Filing when providing updated versions of their filing. Institutions are asked to provide an updated Eligibility Filing during the comprehensive evaluation for Candidacy, biennial evaluation and comprehensive evaluation for initial accreditation.

Process at a Glance

Eligibility Process

Through this process, the institution is asked to demonstrate that it is eligible to be accredited by HLC and that it is in compliance with HLC’s Eligibility Requirements.

Institution submits an application for HLC membership

An institution begins the Eligibility Process by submitting an application along with required Preliminary Evidence.

HLC staff assess the institution’s application to determine whether it is complete and sufficient to proceed with the Eligibility Process. HLC may require that the institution submit additional materials.

This step culminates in a Preliminary Evidence Response, which includes a decision whether the institution may proceed with the Eligibility Interview.

Time Frame: HLC staff will typically respond to the institution within one month. Any additional materials are due within one month of request.

Institutional representatives meet HLC staff, ask questions and discuss the institution’s plans for pursuing accreditation

The institution and HLC participate in an Eligibility Interview.

HLC may require that the institution submit additional materials following the Eligibility Interview.

This step culminates in a Post-Interview Letter, which includes a decision whether the institution may proceed with submitting an Eligibility Filing.

Time Frame: A date for the interview must be established within one month after the date of the Preliminary Evidence Response. The interview must occur no more than four months after the date of the Preliminary Evidence Response.

Institution submits letter to HLC

If approved to proceed with the Eligibility Process, the institution submits its Letter of Intent to Submit Eligibility Filing.

Time Frame: The institution must submit its Letter of Intent to Submit Eligibility Filing within two years of the date of the Post-Interview Letter.

Institution demonstrates its compliance with HLC’s Eligibility Requirements

The institution submits a completed Institutional Data Form and Compliance With Eligibility Requirements Form.

HLC staff screen the Eligibility Filing for completeness. HLC may require that the institution submit additional materials.

If the Eligibility Filing is complete, peer reviewers evaluate the narrative and evidence provided by the institution. There is no in-person visit or other interaction between the institution and peer reviewers. Peer reviewers may also request additional information.

This step culminates in a Letter on Eligibility, which includes a decision whether the institution may proceed with preparing for a comprehensive evaluation for Candidacy.

Time Frame: The Eligibility Filing must be submitted within one year of the date of the Letter of Intent to Submit Eligibility Filing. The peer review panel takes approximately one month to evaluate the Eligibility Filing and determine the institution’s ability to continue with the process. Any missing materials are due within one month of request. Any additional information is due within one year of the request. The Eligibility Review will not proceed during that time period.

Candidacy and Initial Accreditation

During Candidacy, the institution works to demonstrate compliance with HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation and other HLC requirements. The Candidacy period is typically four years, but the institution may apply to seek Early Initial Accreditation.

Institution submits letter to HLC

The institution submits a Letter of Intent to Pursue Candidacy.

The institution is assigned an HLC staff liaison.

Time Frame: The institution must submit its Letter of Intent to Pursue Candidacy within three months of the date of the Letter on Eligibility.

Institution demonstrates that it can come into compliance with HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation and other HLC requirements within its period of candidacy

The institution submits its comprehensive evaluation materials and hosts an on-site visit by a peer review team.

The evaluation includes the following components:

  • Assurance Filing demonstrating the institution’s capacity to meet HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation within the period of candidacy
  • Institutional Data Form
  • Compliance with Eligibility Requirements Form
  • Compliance with Assumed Practices Form
  • Federal Compliance Filing
  • On-site visit, including if applicable, a Multi-Campus Visit
  • Student Opinion Survey
  • IAC Hearing
  • HLC Board of Trustees decision

The Board may grant or deny Candidacy. If granted, Candidacy is typically four years.

Time Frame: The comprehensive evaluation for candidacy must take place with sufficient time to allow for action by the Board of Trustees no later than two years from the date of the Letter of Intent to Pursue Candidacy (the comprehensive evaluation typically takes place about one year after submission of the Letter of Intent to Pursue Candidacy).

Institution demonstrates progress toward meeting the Criteria and other HLC requirements

The institution participates in a biennial evaluation. The evaluation typically includes the following components:

  • Assurance Filing
  • Compliance With Eligibility Requirements Form
  • Compliance With Assumed Practices Form
  • On-site visit
  • IAC review

If the institution is making reasonable progress toward meeting the Criteria for Accreditation and otherwise meets HLC requirements, the institution maintains its candidate status.

If the institution is not making reasonable progress toward meeting the Criteria for Accreditation or does not otherwise meet HLC requirements, the Board of Trustees may withdraw candidacy.

Time Frame: The biennial evaluation generally occurs two years after the award of Candidacy.

Institution demonstrates that it meets the Criteria and other HLC requirements

The institution submits its comprehensive evaluation materials and hosts an on-site visit by a peer review team.

The evaluation includes the following components:

  • Assurance Filing demonstrating the institution’s compliance with the Criteria for Accreditation
  • Compliance with Eligibility Requirements Form
  • Compliance with Assumed Practices Form
  • Federal Compliance Filing
  • On-site visit, including if applicable, a Multi-Campus Visit
  • Student Opinion Survey
  • IAC Hearing
  • HLC Board decision

If initial accreditation is granted, the institution is an accredited institution. Alternatively, the Board may deny initial accreditation or extend the period of Candidacy.

Time Frame: The comprehensive evaluation for initial accreditation must take place with sufficient time to allow for action by the Board of Trustees within the established period of Candidacy, which is typically four years (the comprehensive evaluation typically takes place about one year prior to the end of the established period of Candidacy). This step could occur earlier, including replacing the biennial evaluation, if Early Initial Accreditation is requested.

Under no circumstances will a period of Candidacy be longer than five years, including any extension.

Questions?

Complete HLC’s Seeking Accreditation Inquiry Form