Louisiana Board of Regents, Proprietary Schools
Agency Contact
Additional Contact
Secretary of State Contact
1: Important Agency Information to Note
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).
_____ Public, in-state degree granting institutions
__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
_____ Public, in-state, non-degree granting institutions
_____ 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
Non, degree granting institutions are considered proprietary schools and licensed under that law.
Academic degree granting institutions, not part of one of our existing systems are regulated by the Act 129.
Act 129 also allows for registration of religious institutions, but they are exempt from licensure.
2: Authorization of Distance Education
- Meaning as example, the state regulates an out-of-state institution for merely enrolling a student into a distance education program
- Meaning as example, a solely online program that does not have any internships and practicums
No
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3: Accreditation by an Accrediting Agency Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
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
_____ Public, in-state, non-degree granting institutions
_____ Public, out-of-state, non-degree granting institutions
_____ Non-degree, not-for profit institutions
_____ Non-degree, for-profit institutions
_____ Religious institutions
_____ Tribally-controlled institutions
_____ Federal Institutions
_____ Municipal institutions
Out of state academic degree granting institutions are required to be accredited. In-state academic degree granting institutions can operate on a conditional license as they pursue accreditation.
Proprietary schools are not required to be accredited.
4: Physical Presence Policy
Physical presence is defined as an address, phone, agent, or clinical/internship/practicum site.
Proprietary’s Link (La. R.S. 17:3140.1.(6)(a)(b)):
https://www.laregents.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/RS17.3140_PSLaw2020.pdf
Act 129
Does a virtual clinical / internship trigger the requirement for authorization with your agency?
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5: Application Process
Processes vary widely based on the type of institution. All process are a multi-month process, and require submission of various materials, fees and approval by the Board. (Proprietary schools must also be recommended to the board by the Advisory Commission on Proprietary Schools.) Both types of institutions will soon be required to submit application materials via an online portal.
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6: Fees Associated with Authorization
Yes
For Act 129 schools, $1500 annually.
For Proprietary schools: Initial $2000 fee, and $1000 fee contribution to the student protection fund.
Renewal fees, vary based on the previous year's gross tuition, but start at a minimum of $500.
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7: Surety Bonds
No, for academic institutions. Yes, for proprietary schools.
In-state proprietary schools are required to be bonded also.
Conditionally licensed in-state academic intuitions are also required to be bonded.
8: Student Tuition Recovery Fund
Yes.
For proprietary schools, only for closed institutions.
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9: Tuition Refund Policy
Yes
All licensed institutions. Details found in regulations.
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10: Reporting
Financials, student data, program and location updates, instructor information, proof of bond continuation, enrollment data.
Annually, though not all data is required annually.
Not at this time.
(La. R.S. 17:3140.3.D)
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11: Enforcement
Fines, license suspension or revocation. Barred from future licensure.
See Rule and Regs.
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12: Student Complaints - Non-SARA Participating Institutions
Student complaint processes are outlined in our regulations.
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They are divided by Proprietary and Act 129. And it is an internal process.
Contact Name: Courtney Britton
Title: Director of Licensure
Agency: LA Board of Regents, Proprietary Schools Section
Address: P.O. Box 3677, Baton Rouge, LA 70821
Email: courtney.britton@laregents.edu
Phone: 225-219-7150
URL: https://www.laregents.edu/proprietaryschools/
No response provided
13: Records Retention
No process for academic degree granting institutions. For proprietary schools, schools should submit to the Board of Regents, who is the recordkeeping body for those school’s records. (La. R.S. 17:3140.15) Records that are transmitted electronically are uploaded and stored as needed. Paper records are digitized and microfilmed prior to destruction.
Agency Name: LA Board of Regents, Proprietary Schools Section
Contact Person:
Contact Phone:
Contact Address: P.O. Box 3677, Baton Rouge, LA 70821
Contact Email: transcripts@laregents.edu
Contact website:
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14: Additional Information
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Please note: There could be additional state agencies with oversight of activities of your institution.