34 CFR § 602.1 - Why does the Secretary recognize accrediting agencies?

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t34/s602.1"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "34 CFR § 602.1 - Why does the Secretary recognize accrediting agencies?"
title_number: 34
title_name: "Education"
section_number: "602.1"
section_name: "Why does the Secretary recognize accrediting agencies?"
chapter_name: "OFFICE OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION"
part_number: "602"
part_name: "THE SECRETARY'S RECOGNITION OF ACCREDITING AGENCIES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "20 U.S.C. 1099b, unless otherwise noted."
regulatory_source: "64 FR 56617, Oct. 20, 1999, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "602"
---


# 602.1 Why does the Secretary recognize accrediting agencies?

(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.

(b) The Secretary lists an agency as a nationally recognized accrediting agency if the agency meets the criteria for recognition listed in subpart B of this part.

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