The New York State Board of Regents and the Commissioner of Education serve as the nationally recognized accrediting agency for 20 colleges in New York State. One result of this accreditation is that these institutions are eligible for Title IV funds under the Higher Education Act if they choose to participate in these programs. The accreditation function of the Regents and the Commissioner was blended with the State approval procedures and actions (program registrations, charter actions, etc).

Scope of Accreditation and Statement
The United States Secretary of Education recognizes the New York State Board of Regents and the Commissioner of Education for the institutional accreditation of degree-granting institutions in New York State that have sought such accreditation voluntarily.   Currently, the Regents and the Commissioner accredit 23 New York colleges and universities.

• Accreditation Actions

• Colleges accredited by the Regents and the Commissioner CEO 02-08 Important Information about New York Colleges that are Institutionally Accredited by the Board of Regents and the Commissioner of Education in their Capacity as a Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agency

At the urging of the U.S. Department of Education, the accreditation and State approval functions have been separated. The Office of Higher Education has developed a
Handbook of Institutional Accreditation* that includes information related to the accreditation function:

• Application for Institutional Accreditation by the New York State Board of Regents and the Commissioner of Education

• Part 4 of the Rules of the Board of Regents Relating to Voluntary Institutional Accreditation

• Self-Study Guide for Institutional Accreditation - Introduction

• Self-Study Guide for Institutional Accreditation - Self-Study Format

• Protocol for the Review of Institutions Seeking Accreditation or Renewal of Accreditation

• Annual Data Report Form PDF

• Institutional Accreditation Policies Related to the Standards of the United States Secretary of Education

• New York State Regents Advisory Council on Institutional Accreditation ByLaws

• New York State Regents Advisory Council on Institutional Accreditation