District of Columbia Higher Education Licensure Commission

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_X__ Public, in-state degree granting institutions (for purposes of SARA and Veterans education only)
_X__ Public, out-of-state degree granting institutions   
_X__ Private, in-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions  
_X__ Private, out-of-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions  
_X__ Private, in-state, for-profit degree granting institutions 
_X__ Private, out-of-state, for-profit degree granting institutions 
_X__ Public, in-state, non-degree granting institutions 
_X__ Public, out-of-state, non-degree granting institutions 
_X__ Non-degree, not-for profit institutions 
_X__ Non-degree, for-profit institutions 
_X__ Religious institutions 
____ Tribally-controlled institutions 
____ Federal Institutions 
____ Municipal institutions 

_____Institution  _____Program __X__Both

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Yes and No

Accreditation Required for: 
_X__ Public, out-of-state degree granting institutions   
_X__ Private, in-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions  
_X__ Private, out-of-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions  
_X__ Private, in-state, for-profit degree granting institutions 
_X__ Private, out-of-state, for-profit degree granting institutions 
_X__ Public, in-state, non-degree granting institutions 
_X__ Public, out-of-state, non-degree granting institutions 
____ Non-degree, not-for profit institutions 
____ Non-degree, for-profit institutions 
_X__ Religious institutions 
____ Tribally-controlled institutions 
____ Federal Institutions 
____ Municipal institutions 

Non-degree institutions are not required to be accredited, unless accreditation is required by the respective industry.  Degree granting institutions that are new (provisional licensees) are not required to be accredited at time of application; however, they must seek accreditation by 3rd year of operation and be fully accredited by an accrediting agency/organization recognized by the US Department of Education by 6th year of operation. Applicants seeking Conditional Exemption must be fully accredited and may not have any conditions placed upon the accreditation.

Accreditation requirements will depend on the type of institution and instructional offerings.

D.C. Official Code §38-1310 describes the excluded and conditionally exempt institution types

D.C. Official Code §38-1310 describes the excluded and conditionally exempt institution types

Web link for exemptions

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Yes

N/A

Yes

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“Physical Presence” – an institution has established one of the following in the District of Columbia: (a) A physical location for students to receive instruction; (b) An administrative office; (c) A physical site operated by or on behalf of the institution that provides information to students for the purpose of enrolling students or provides student support services; or (d) Office space for instructional and non-instructional staff.

Web link for physical presence

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Pursuant to DC Official Code §38-1306(c)(4) complaints may be filed with the Higher Education Licensure Commission (HELC, Commission) against postsecondary educational institutions operating in the District of Columbia. Consumers who have experienced a violation of the SARA policies and procedures should complete a form and submit all supporting documents. Complainants should exhaust the institution’s grievance process prior to filing a complaint with the Commission.

within our agency

https://helc.osse.dc.gov/topic/helcadmin/community-stakeholders/public-complaints

• Agency: DC Higher Education Licensure Commission
• Address: 1050 First Street, NE Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20002
• Email: osse.elcmail@dc.gov
• Phone: 202-481-3951

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Pursuant to DC Official Code §38-1306(c)(4) complaints may be filed with the Higher Education Licensure Commission (HELC, Commission) against postsecondary educational institutions operating in the District of Columbia. Consumers who have experienced a violation of the HELC statute or regulations should complete a form and submit all supporting documents. Complainants should exhaust the institution’s grievance process prior to filing a complaint with the Commission.

Violations of Commission rules are handled internally.  Violation of other District rules may also be addressed by respective other mission based agencies (i.e. violations of Human Rights Laws, Department of Health codes, Zoning laws)

Yes

• Agency: DC Higher Education Licensure Commission
• Address: 1050 First Street, NE Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20002
• Email: osse.elcmail@dc.gov
• Phone: 202-481-3951
• URL: https://helc.osse.dc.gov/topic/helcadmin/community-stakeholders/public-complaints

https://helc.osse.dc.gov/topic/helcadmin/community-stakeholders/public-complaints

Yes

https://helc.osse.dc.gov/topic/helcadmin/institutions/applications-and-forms

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Yes

Non-Degree granting institutions

Degree granting institutions

DCMR 8119 Non-Degree granting institutions

DCMR 8004, 8006, & 8016 Degree granting institutions

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No

n/a

n/a

n/a

Annually, the Higher Education Licensure Commission (HELC, Commission) collects data on postsecondary education offered in the District of Columbia. The Commission seeks to gather information in the following areas: institutional characteristics, human and fiscal resources, prices, accreditation, enrollment, degrees and certificates conferred, student retention and financial aid. The submission of this data is a condition of continued approval to operate postsecondary educational programs in the District. 

Annually

YES, it is subject to public disclosure

https://helc.osse.dc.gov/vPage/Annual-Data-Survey/107/71004 log-in credential is sent directly to active institutions POC only

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Refer to DC Official Code §38-1312

Web link for enforcement information

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1. Read the law and regulations that govern the type of institution you wish to operate (degree, non-degree, distance education). And, familiarize yourself with the relevant application form.
2. Attend mandatory New Applicant Workshop (only if seeking provisional licensure; not required for conditional exemption applicants)
3. Submit a complete application and required fees.
4. Complete a site visit. (Required for all applicants that have a physical location in the District.)
5. Appear before the Commission to respond to any questions the board has prior to their decision on the application. Meeting date will be provided.

https://helc.osse.dc.gov/topic/helcadmin/institutions/applications-and-forms 

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Yes

Please refer to the weblink

Web link for fee information

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If a postsecondary educational institution licensed by or granted a conditional exemption the Commission, discontinues its operations, the chief administrative officer, by whatever title designated, of the institution shall cause to be filed with the Commission the original or legible true copies of all records of the institution specified by the Commission. The records deposited with the Commission shall include, at a minimum, the academic (and financial) records of each former student. The institution shall pay for the costs of the transfer of records to the Commission and for the costs of maintaining the records.

School Closure Form  https://helc.osse.dc.gov/topic/helcadmin/institutions/applications-and-forms

• Agency Name: DC Higher Education Licensure Commission
• Address: 1050 First Street, NE Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20002
• Email: osse.elcmail@dc.gov
• Phone: 202-481-3951
• Contact web site: https://helc.osse.dc.gov/topic/helcadmin/students/transcript-verification-request

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NOTE:

Application materials may be mailed Attn: HELC - 1050 1st St., NE 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20002 OR emailed to osse.elcmail@dc.gov. You may choose one submission method. You do not need to mail and email your application. Please do not email application materials to individual HELC team members.