The Recognition Process for Accrediting Agencies, State Approval Agencies; Evaluation of Foreign Medical, and Foreign Veterinary Accrediting Agencies(e-Recognition)

Forms and Documents

Document	Type	Status	Availability
60 Day FRN Comment Response 1840-0788.docx	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2026-02-23	Repair queued
Public Burden Statement e-Rec.docx	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2025-12-16	Available
e-Rec Supporting Statement Part A 1840-0788.docx	Supporting Statement A	Uploaded 2025-12-16	Repair queued

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Collection	Type	Status	Form
22120	Accrediting Agencies	Other-Administrator Guide	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 1840-0788	ICR Reference No: 202512-1840-003
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202211-1840-001
Agency/Subagency: ED/OPE	Agency Tracking No: ED-2025-SCC-1174
Title: The Recognition Process for Accrediting Agencies, State Approval Agencies; Evaluation of Foreign Medical, and Foreign Veterinary Accrediting Agencies(e-Recognition)
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 02/27/2026

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	04/30/2026
Responses	16	17
Time Burden (Hours)	347,648	18,351
Cost Burden (Dollars)	1,027,296	0

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Abstract: The United States (U.S.) Secretary of Education (the Secretary) is required by law to publish a list of nationally recognized accrediting agencies that have been determined to be reliable authorities regarding the quality of education or training offered by the institutions or programs they accredit. The system is the e-Recognition system. In determining whether a specific agency should be recognized, the Secretary evaluates the submission for compliance with the criteria for Recognition contained in regulations. The collection of information is necessary for the Secretary to evaluate compliance with each of the criteria and to monitor the continued compliance with the criteria during any period of recognition granted. The authority for collecting this information is contained in the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended § 496 (HEA), and implementing regulations at 34 CFR § 602. The data is required in order for recognized accrediting agencies to demonstrate compliance with 34 CFR § 602. The Secretary will use these criteria in determining whether an accrediting agency is a reliable authority as to the quality of education or training provided by institutions of higher education they accredit. The data is required by State Agencies for the approval of Vocational Education to demonstrate compliance with 34 CFR § 603. The Secretary will use these criterial to determine whether a State Agency for the Approval of Vocational Education is a reliable authority as to the quality of education or training provided by the vocational institutions of higher education they accredit. The data is also required in order for State approval Agencies for Nurse Education to demonstrate compliance with the criteria and procedures for recognition of State Agencies for Approval of Nurse Education. The Secretary will use these criteria in determining whether a State agency is a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered by schools of nursing.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 20 USC 1099b Name of Law: Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA)
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	90 FR 59513	12/19/2025
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	91 FR 9605	02/26/2026
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Accrediting Agencies

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	16	17	0	-1	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	347,648	18,351	0	329,297	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	1,027,296	0	0	1,027,296	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: The burden has increased due to the estimated burden hours increasing by 3,377 hours, and the hourly wage rate used has increased by $3.74.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $450,000

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 02/27/2026

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