Federal Regulation

Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization

Description 

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) indicated in January 2026 its intention to reform accreditation through a negotiated rulemaking. The rulemaking announcement included the Department's ten issue areas to focus on the Department's intention to overhaul accreditation by simplifying and modernizing regulations, refocusing accreditor standards on student outcomes and program value, reducing anti-competitive and unlawful practices, clarifying roles within the regulatory triad, supporting innovation and intellectual diversity, strengthening independence and oversight of accreditors, making technical fixes, and advancing broader Administration priorities related to accreditation.

 

Action to be taken

  • Review accreditation standards that affect programs and operations.
  • Strengthen program-level student outcomes and value data.
  • Ensure policies align with Federal and State law, independent of accreditor requirements.
  • Reassess accreditor fit with institutional mission and innovation goals.
  • Monitor and engage in the negotiated rulemaking process.
  • Prepare leadership for potential changes to accreditor standards and oversight.

Effective Date

  • Call for Negotiators Deadline:  February 26, 2026.
  • Negotiated Rulemaking:  Session 1: April 13-17, 2026; and Session 2: May 18-22, 2026

Resources

Regulation progress: Step 2 of 8

  1. Step 1 Notice of Intent to Establish a Rulemaking with Public Comment Period.
  2. Step 2. Negotiated Rulemaking Committee Nominations and Schedule of Committee Meetings with Public Nominations.
  3. Step 3. Negotiated Rulemaking Committee Meetings
  4. Step 4 Office of Management & Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs Review of Proposed Regulations
  5. Step 5 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and Public Comment Period (release of proposed regulations)
  6. Step 6 Office of Management & Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs Review of Final Regulations
  7. Step 7 Release of Final Regulations
  8. Step 8 Effective Date