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

Document 2026-03074 is a Proposed Rule published by the Department of Education in the Federal Register on February 17, 2026. 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. View the original at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/17/2026-03074/clarification-of-the-appropriate-use-of-terms-national-and-regional-by-recognized-accrediting.

No. Document 2026-03074 is not classified as economically significant under Executive Order 12866. Economically significant rules require OIRA review and are estimated to have impacts of $100 million or more per year.