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A person, firm, association, postsecondary school, trust, or other entity must obtain a Certificate to Operate from SCHEV in order to offer or confer degrees, diplomas, and certificates, enroll students or to use the term “college” or “university” in connection with its academic affairs or business in the Commonwealth of Virginia. To apply for a Certificate to Operate, one must:
  1. Attend a New School Orientation Session
  2. Submit a complete certification application package with all required documents.
  3. Submit all required fees.
  4. Undergo a site visit at the Virginia location from which instruction will be offered or the administrative functions of the school will take place.

The school owner or representative MUST attend a New School Orientation session before submitting an application for certification. One session is scheduled each month (see Orientation for session dates). Please complete the New School Orientation Registration form and return it with the fee of $150 per participant. Certification applications received from persons not attending the New School Orientation will be returned.

Upon the receipt and examination of the certification application and the completion of a successful site visit, SCHEV staff will submit the school’s application to Council, at its next scheduled meeting, for consideration. A representative from the school is invited to attend the Council meeting to discuss any concerns that may arise. The school will be notified of Council’s action in writing. If the application is accepted, a Certificate to Operate will be generated.

NOTE:  The school may not advertise, recruit students, accept any fees or tuition monies, or hold classes until it has received its Certificate to Operate from SCHEV.

Orientation

Training

Below is the schedule for New School Orientation Sessions held by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). Participation in an orientation session is an important part of the application process for entities seeking certification to operate a postsecondary institution in Virginia. Participation by prospective new school owners is required in order to submit an application for certification. There is a fee of $150 per participant (NO CASH MAY BE ACCEPTED) to attend the orientation session. The fee and registration form are due no later than 2 weeks in advance of the scheduled session.  All sessions are scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. and end no later than 4:00 p.m. and will take place in the 9th floor Conference Room in the SCHEV offices.

Day                        Date                                       
                  
Wednesday           December 19, 2012

2013 Dates

Wednesday           February 20, 2013
Wednesday           April 17, 2013
Wednesday           June 19, 2013
Wednesday           August 21, 2013
Wednesday           October 16, 2013
Wednesday           December 19, 2013

REGISTER for Orientation

Print Complete Schedule and Contact Information

New School Certification Process and Forms

Below are the forms required to apply for certification.  After attending a New School Orientation session, complete each form in its entirety and submit to the P.O.P.E. department. Be sure to review the Regulations Governing the Certification of Certain Institutions to Confer Degrees, Diplomas, and Certificates (8 VAC 40-31 et seq.), which details the standards and requirements for operating a postsecondary school in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  The regulations and certification process are discussed during the New School Orientation session.

The school will have 180 days to complete the application process, after which time its application will be withdrawn and it will receive a refund of the application fee minus a nonrefundable application processing charge of $300.  The 180 days window excludes the period of time between staff confirmation of package completion and Council approval.