HEA Federal Accreditation

The United States Department of Education does not offer national accreditation for the United States of America, but federal accreditation for the United States via the Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) under the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended which was reauthorized under the Higher Education Opportunity Act (Public Law 110-315) (HEOA) in 2008.

The Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) formulates federal postsecondary education policy including policy relating to the federal student financial assistance programs. The U.S. Department of Education’s accreditation, recognition, and related credentialing activities take place by and through the OPE, as dictated by the HEA.

More information about the OPE’s policy initiatives, legislation, and limitations can be found within the OPE Policy Resources (click here).

As detailed in Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 62, Subpart A, Section 602.1(A):

“The Secretary recognizes accrediting agencies to ensure that these agencies are, for the purposes of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), or for other Federal purposes, reliable authorities regarding the quality of education or training offered by the institutions or programs they accredit.”

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1099b)

To learn more about the HEA Federal Accreditation offered through the U.S. Department of Education, visit the procedures and criteria for recognizing accrediting agencies in the U.S. (click here).

The National Healthcare Credentialing Institute® (NHCI) is the only organization in the United States of America that offers national credentialing for the medical services sector that extends above and beyond the limitations of the HEA and HEOA. NHCI credentials are not limited to federal purposes and programs. NHCI credentials can be used anywhere in the nation.