Notice2025-23358
Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; The Recognition Process for Accrediting Agencies, State Approval Agencies; Evaluation of Foreign Medical, and Foreign Veterinary Accrediting Agencies (e-Recognition)
Primary source
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Published
December 19, 2025
Issuing agencies
Education Department
Abstract
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Department is proposing an extension without change of a currently approved information collection request (ICR).
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 242 (Friday, December 19, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 242 (Friday, December 19, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59513-59514]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-23358]
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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
[Docket No.: ED-2025-SCC-1174]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; The
Recognition Process for Accrediting Agencies, State Approval Agencies;
Evaluation of Foreign Medical, and Foreign Veterinary Accrediting
Agencies (e-Recognition)
AGENCY: Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE), Department of
Education (ED).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995,
the Department is proposing an extension without change of a currently
approved information collection request (ICR).
DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before
February 17, 2026.
ADDRESSES: To access and review all the documents related to the
information collection listed in this notice, please use <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching the Docket ID number ED-2025-SCC-1174.
Comments submitted in response to this notice should be submitted
electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> by selecting the Docket ID number or via postal
mail, commercial delivery, or hand delivery. If the <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>
site is not available to the public for any reason, the Department will
temporarily accept comments at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a8e1ebecc7cbc3cddce5cfdae8cdcc86cfc7de"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8bc2c8cfe4e8e0eeffc6ecf9cbeeefa5ece4fd">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include the
docket ID number and the title of the information collection request
when requesting documents or submitting comments. Please note that
comments submitted after the comment period will not be accepted.
Written requests for information or comments submitted by postal mail
or delivery should be addressed to the Office of Postsecondary
Education, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave. SW, LBJ,
Room 5C173, Washington, DC 20202-1200.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For specific questions related to
collection activities, please contact Amy Wilson, 202-987-1318.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department, in accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)),
provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to
comment on proposed, revised, and continuing collections of
information. This helps the Department assess the impact of its
information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting
burden. It also helps the public understand the Department's
information collection requirements and provide the requested data in
the desired format. The Department is soliciting comments on the
proposed information collection request (ICR) that is described below.
The Department is especially interested in public comment addressing
the following issues: (1) is this collection necessary to the proper
functions of the Department; (2) will this information be processed and
used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4)
how might the Department enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of
the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Department
minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including
through the use of information technology. Please note that written
comments received in response to this notice will be considered public
records.
Title of Collection: The Recognition Process for Accrediting
Agencies, State Approval Agencies; Evaluation of Foreign Medical, and
Foreign Veterinary Accrediting Agencies (e-Recognition).
OMB Control Number: 1840-0788.
Type of Review: An extension without change of a currently approved
ICR.
Respondents/Affected Public: Individuals and Households.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 16.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 347,648.
Abstract: The United States (U.S.) Secretary of Education (the
Secretary) is required by law to publish a list of nationally
recognized accrediting agencies that have been determined to be
reliable authorities regarding the quality of education or training
offered by the institutions or programs they accredit. The system is
the e-Recognition system. In determining whether a specific agency
should be recognized, the Secretary evaluates the submission for
compliance with the criteria for Recognition contained in regulations.
The collection of
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information is necessary for the Secretary to evaluate compliance with
each of the criteria and to monitor the continued compliance with the
criteria during any period of recognition granted. The authority for
collecting this information is contained in the Higher Education Act of
1965, as amended Sec. 496 (HEA), and implementing regulations at 34
CFR 602. The data is required in order for recognized accrediting
agencies to demonstrate compliance with 34 CFR 602. The Secretary will
use these criteria in determining whether an accrediting agency is a
reliable authority as to the quality of education or training provided
by institutions of higher education they accredit. The data is required
by State Agencies for the approval of Vocational Education to
demonstrate compliance with 34 CFR 603. The Secretary will use these
criterial to determine whether a State Agency for the Approval of
Vocational Education is a reliable authority as to the quality of
education or training provided by the vocational institutions of higher
education they accredit. The data is also required in order for State
approval Agencies for Nurse Education to demonstrate compliance with
the criteria and procedures for recognition of State Agencies for
Approval of Nurse Education. The Secretary will use these criteria in
determining whether a State agency is a reliable authority as to the
quality of training offered by schools of nursing.
Brian Fu,
Program and Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Data Officer,
Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development.
[FR Doc. 2025-23358 Filed 12-18-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
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