Optional expedited authorization

(a) Ask a legal question, get an answer ASAP!(1) Postsecondary educational institutions accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the United States department of education may apply for optional expedited authorization as provided for in this part. (2) Provisional initial optional expedited authorization may be granted by the executive director or commission staff subject to review and ratification by the commission. Provisional authorization must contain limitations as to time, procedures, functions, and other conditions as deemed necessary. (3) The term for which authorization is given shall not extend for more than six (6) years and may be issued for a lesser period of time on terms and conditions specified by, or otherwise determined by, the commission. An institution that receives multi-year authorization shall annually submit a certification of compliance on a form provided by the commission, and shall pay the requisite fee by the date established by the commission. (b) Optional expedited authorization is available to postsecondary educational institutions that submit the following documentation to the commission: (1) Evidence of accreditation from an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the United States department of education indicating that the location for which authorization is being sought is accredited or properly recognized by the accreditor; (2) Documentation evidencing an established, clearly articulated, and comprehensive process for the resolution of consumer complaints; (3) Documentation evidencing that the institution is authorized or exempt from authorization in the state where it is primarily located, if the institution is not authorized in this state; (4) A signed application for optional expedited authorization on a form provided by the commission; (5) Documentation evidencing all requisite program approvals from other state licensing boards or commissions, if applicable; and (6) Documentation evidencing that the institution meets and maintains financial standards and institutional stability acceptable by the accreditor for the purpose of maintaining accreditation or by the United States department of education for the purpose of being a Title IV eligible institution. (c) Upon the receipt of an institution’s application, the commission shall conduct a detailed review and verification and, upon satisfactory examination of all submitted documentation, issue an optional expedited authorization subject to this section. (d) If the commission, upon review and consideration of the application, determines that the applicant is not eligible and fails to meet the optional expedited authorization criteria established in this section, then the commission shall notify the applicant of its decision to deny the application and set forth the reasons for the denial in writing. (e) Issuance of optional expedited authorization must demonstrate full compliance with the minimum standards established under this part and fulfill all of the requirements for the institution’s state authorization. (f) Institutions satisfying the requirements of this section and receiving optional expedited authorization shall not be subject to any other authorization requirements under this part, but remain subject to §§ 49-7-2012, 49-7-2013, 49-7-2014, 49-7-2015, 49-7-2016, and 49-7-2018. (g) To assist the commission with its duty of consumer protection, any institution receiving optional expedited authorization under this section shall: (1) Timely report to the commission any illegal or unethical conduct by employees, agents, contractors, or third-party service providers related to the delivery of educational programs and services to students, including any corrective action and remedies taken by the institution; (2) Notify the commission, within five (5) business days, of: (A) An action taken by an accrediting agency with regard to the institution’s accreditation status, including revocation, suspension, probation, warning, or similar action; (B) The institution’s receipt of notice of legal action involving the institution, or its parent entity if applicable, and Tennessee students, related to the delivery of educational programming or student or consumer practices, including class action lawsuits; (C) The institution’s use of a letter of credit or a cash management agreement with the United States department of education; (D) A governmental agency’s public announcement of an investigation of the institution. The institution shall notify the commission whether the investigation is related to the institution’s academic quality, financial stability, or student or consumer practices; (E) A change of ownership; or (F) A change of institutional director; (3) Provide any information requested by the commission necessary to monitor the institution’s eligibility for optional expedited authorization; (4) Provide complaint resolution policies and procedures to the institution’s students, and cooperat