18VAC5-22-60: Determining whether a college or university is an accredited institution

A. For the purpose of complying with subdivision A 1 a of § 54.1-4409.2 of the Code of Virginia, a college or university that is not accredited by one of the six major regional accrediting organizations listed in the definition of accredited institution in § 54.1-4400 of the Code of Virginia or their successors shall be considered an accredited institution if it is accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or its successor. Publication of the name of the accrediting organization by CHEA or its successor shall be sufficient notification that the accrediting organization is recognized by CHEA or its successor.

B. The board shall determine whether accrediting organizations that are neither one of the major regional accrediting organizations or their successors nor an accrediting organization recognized by CHEA or its successor are substantially equivalent to the accreditation process recognized by the board. The board will be responsible for setting requirements and maintaining records of those organizations deemed eligible by the board.