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 or Edited: November 2025, effective September 2026
First Adopted: January 1983
History:* revised, and renumbered June 2012 (policies combined, see note); renumbered November 2012 (former policy number 4.0(i)); revised June 2019 (effective September 2019); edited February 2021; revised June 2021; revised February 2022; renumbered February 2025 (former policy number FDCR.A.10.090); revised November 2025 (effective September 2026)
Notes: Policies combined June 2012: 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4.

* In the history, “revised” indicates that the HLC Board of Trustees adopted changes to the policy, and “edited” indicates that HLC staff made technical amendments or minor editorial revisions that did not require formal Board approval.