On Wednesday the U.S. Department of Education gave the cosmetology school accreditor a 12-month deadline to fix a series of compliance problems and barred it from approving any new institutions during that period.
The action was taken by U.S. Under Secretary Nicholas Kent after department staff released a report earlier this year that identified more than a dozen federal regulatory violations by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (NACCAS).
The report said NACCAS failed to meet requirements that ensure the quality and accountability of the schools it oversees. Specific shortcomings included inadequate oversight and insufficient communication with students about accreditation status.
As a result, NACCAS must suspend its review of any institutions or programs seeking its endorsement. The suspension affects roughly 300 schools that were in the pipeline as of July.
A federal advisory committee had previously suggested that Kent withdraw federal recognition from NACCAS, warning that the commission was not properly supervising the colleges under its umbrella.
“I am not convinced that NACCAS is a reliable authority on the quality of education being offered at institutions and programs it accredits,” Kent wrote in his determination.
The under secretary highlighted that it was not effectively disciplining institutions to bring them back into compliance, nor ensuring that students were notified about accreditation sanctions.
Despite the concerns, he stopped short of revoking NACCAS’s federal recognition, noting that the body had shown a willingness to take corrective action.
“I also recognize that the agency accredits a significant number of institutions, and that were the agency to be denied recognition, a substantial number of students may be affected by that decision,” he added.
The under secretary further stated that despite NACCAS’ size, he did not believe the accreditor is too large to fail, nor is it too large to face consequences for its continued and pervasive noncompliance.
He concluded that, because of the large number of institutions the agency accredits, there is a greater risk to students and taxpayers if it continues operating under the current deficiencies.
To regain good standing, NACCAS must submit a monitoring report within the year demonstrating compliance with all federal requirements and provide monthly certifications that it is adhering to Kent’s determination.
On the same day, the official issued a comparable compliance order lasting a year for the Council on Occupational Education, also restricting it from granting accreditation to new members until it meets the required standards.
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