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Before you enroll, confirm three things: institutional accreditation, state authorization, and any program‑specific approvals tied to licensing. These determine whether you qualify for financial aid, whether your credentials will be recognized by employers and boards, and whether your training truly counts toward licensure. This article explains the terms in plain English and shows you exactly how to verify them.
Institutional Accreditation (School‑wide)
Accreditation is an independent review of a school’s quality and administration. For most trade schools, recognized national career accreditors include:
- ACCSC (Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges)
- ACCET (Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training)
- COE (Council on Occupational Education)
Many public technical/community colleges hold regional accreditation (e.g., SACSCOC, HLC, MSCHE, WSCUC, NECHE, NWCCU).
Why it matters:
- Title IV eligibility: Many forms of federal financial aid require recognized accreditation.
- Employer benefits: Some employers reimburse tuition only from accredited schools.
- Quality assurance: Accreditors audit outcomes, catalogs, and financial responsibility.
How to verify:
- Ask the school which agency accredits them, then confirm the listing on the accreditor’s official directory.
- Check that the accreditor is recognized by USDE/CHEA. Save screenshots for your files.
State Authorization (Permission to Operate)
State authorization is your school’s legal permission to operate where you live (and sometimes, to serve you online). This typically comes from a state higher‑ed agency or licensing authority.
Why it matters:
- Consumer protection: States can act if schools violate policies.
- Distance education: If you live out‑of‑state, ask how online courses are authorized (NC‑SARA can simplify this for many programs, though not all programs participate).
How to verify:
- Ask for the state authorization letter or a link to the state directory.
- If you’re out‑of‑state and plan hybrid/online, ask whether your state is covered and whether externships/clinicals are approved there.
Program Approvals (Licensing and Certification)
Beyond school‑wide accreditation, certain trades need program‑level approvals to meet licensing or certification rules. Examples:
- Allied Health: clinical program approvals; radiography permissions for dental assisting vary by state
- HVAC: EPA Section 608 certification prep is essential if handling refrigerants
- Electrician/Plumber: classroom hours plus documented on‑the‑job experience to sit for journeyman exams
How to verify:
- Ask for a mapping sheet that shows how your program meets the state’s hour and content requirements.
- Request pass rates for relevant exams and whether vouchers/retakes are included (see Exam & Certification Fees).
How to Verify (Step‑by‑Step)
- Get docs from the school: accreditor name, agency ID, state authorization letter, program approval letters, catalog pages that list required hours.
- Independently confirm: check the accreditor’s online directory and your state licensing board website.
- Capture proof: save PDFs/screenshots of listings and approvals to your Portfolio and Logbook.
- For online/hybrid: confirm out‑of‑state authorization and that externships/clinicals are allowed where you live.
Red Flags
- Can’t name the accreditor or provide a verifiable link
- Claims “accredited” by an unrecognized agency (not USDE/CHEA‑recognized)
- No written outcomes or refusal to share pass rates
- Program hours/content don’t align with state board requirements
- Online claims without clear out‑of‑state authorization
If you see these signs, pause your enrollment and compare alternatives with the School Comparison Checklist.
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