District of Columbia Higher Education Licensure Commission

Indicate the types of institutions that your agency authorizes. 

• Note: Some agencies may refer to out-of-state public institutions as “private colleges” in their law.  If this is the case for your agency, please select “public, out-of-state degree granting institutions” for purposes of this Guide so that the out-of-state public institution will find appropriate information.
• Note: If your agency is a coordinating board, your agency may have one division with some authority such as program approval over in-state public institutions that are established per statute, which is structured differently than another division of your agency with state authorization authority over non-public institutions that they “license” pursuant to different statute(s).

_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 

• For example, an agency may require an institution apply for licensure for institutional approval and also require the institution to apply for specific program(s) approval.

_____ Institution  

_____ Program 

__X__ Both

The Higher Education Licensure Commission requires institutional licensure as a requirement for offering programs. HELC does not license stand-alone programs. 

Only degree-granting institutions are eligible to participate in NC-SARA.

Yes

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Yes and No

Accreditation by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education 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 

New degree-granting institutions (provisional licensees) are required to 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 at the time of application and may not have any conditions placed upon the accreditation. 

Further accreditation requirements depend on the type of institution, instructional offerings, and professional licensure/industry requirements.

“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

Does a virtual clinical / internship trigger the requirement for authorization with your agency? 

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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 

No response provided

Yes

All fees are subject to change at any time. Please see the HELC “Frequently Asked Questions” for updated fee schedule. As of 3/22/2024, the following fee schedule applies:

Please see HELC’s “Frequently Asked Questions” for the current fee schedule. All fees are subject to change at any time.

Although the fees provided above are current as of 3/22/2024, fees are subject to change at any time. Please see HELC’s “Frequently Asked Questions” for the current fee schedule.

Yes

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

All institutions regardless of type are required to provide a surety bond. All types of institutions fall under the Surety requirements to protect students should an institution “breach its contract with students, declare bankruptcy or otherwise terminate its educational program without providing adequate student refunds” (§ 38-1311. Bond or surety requirement). 

No

n/a

n/a

n/a

Yes

All types of institutions must clearly explain and provide easy access to tuition refund policies. 

All types of institutions must meet certain conditions and seek HELC approval in advance for closures. 

All types of institutions fall under the Surety requirements to protect students should an institution “breach its contract with students, declare bankruptcy or otherwise terminate its educational program without providing adequate student refunds” (§ 38-1311. Bond or surety requirement).

DCMR 8119 Non-Degree granting institutions

DCMR 8004, 8006, & 8016 Degree granting institutions

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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.

Institutions are required to report their data annually.

Yes, this information is published publicly.

See Active Institutions or Closed Institutions for publicly published institutional data and information.

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Refer to DC Official Code §38-1312

Web link for enforcement information

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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.

https://helc.osse.dc.gov/add-complaint-new

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All complaints and violations of Commission rules are handled internally. Complaints are handled within HELC after stakeholders have exhausted the institution’s grievance process. However, violation of other District rules may also be addressed by other relevant mission-based agencies (i.e. violations of Human Rights Laws, Department of Health codes, Zoning laws).

• 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

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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.

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Please note: There could be additional state agencies with oversight of activities of your institution.