1(1) 2An independent postsecondary educational institution that meets the following criteria may apply for a license by means of accreditation from the commission:24(a) 25The institution has operated legally in this state for at least 5 consecutive years.
39(b) 40The institution holds institutional accreditation by an accrediting agency evaluated and approved by the commission as having standards substantially equivalent to the commission’s licensure standards.
65(c) 66The institution has no unresolved complaints or actions in the past 12 months.
79(d) 80The institution meets minimum requirements for financial responsibility as determined by the commission.
93(e) 94The institution is a Florida corporation.
100(2) 101An institution that was exempt from licensure in 2001 under s. 112246.085(1)(a), 113Florida Statutes 2001, may retain an exemption until the commission issues it a license by means of accreditation as provided in this section. 136(3) 137The commission may not require an institution granted a license by means of accreditation to submit reports that differ from the reports required by its accrediting association, except that each institution must file with the commission an annual audit report and follow the commission’s requirements for orderly closing, including provisions for trainout or refunds and arranging for the proper disposition of student and institutional records.
202(4) 203An institution granted a license by means of accreditation must apply for and receive another level of licensure before the institution may offer courses or programs that exceed the scope or level of its accreditation.
238(5) 239Institutions granted a license by means of accreditation must comply with the standards of fair consumer practices as established in rule by the commission.
263(6) 264A license by means of accreditation is valid for the same period as the qualifying grant of accreditation.
282(7) 283A license by means of accreditation may be denied, placed on probation, or revoked for repeated failure to comply with the requirements of this section. The commission shall adopt rules for these actions. Revocation or denial of a license by means of accreditation requires that the institution immediately obtain an annual license.
