Notice2026-03811
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment Request; the Recognition Process for Accrediting Agencies, State Approval Agencies; Evaluation of Foreign Medical, and Foreign Veterinary Accrediting Agencies (e-Recognition)
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
February 26, 2026
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
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 38 (Thursday, February 26, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 38 (Thursday, February 26, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9605-9606]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-03811]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
[Docket No.: ED-2025-SCC-1174]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the
Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; 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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
March 30, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for proposed
information collection requests should be submitted within 30 days of
publication of this notice. Click on this link <a href="http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a> to access the site. Find this information collection request
(ICR) by selecting ``Department of Education'' under ``Currently Under
Review,'' then check the ``Only Show ICR for Public Comment'' checkbox.
<a href="http://Reginfo.gov">Reginfo.gov</a> provides two links to view documents related to this
information collection request. Information collection forms and
instructions may be found by clicking on the ``View Information
Collection (IC) List'' link. Supporting statements and other supporting
documentation may be found by clicking on the ``View Supporting
Statement and Other Documents'' link.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For specific questions related to
collection activities, please contact Amy Wilson, (202) 987-1318.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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
[[Page 9606]]
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: Extension without change of a currently approved
ICR.
Respondents/Affected Public: Individual 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 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.
Ross Santy,
Office of Chief Data Officer, Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy
Development.
[FR Doc. 2026-03811 Filed 2-25-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
</pre></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on February 26, 2026.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.