Alaska: A Step By Step Guide To Obtain State Approval For A Private Postsecondary Institution

Licensing Agency

Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) – Institutional Authorization Program

Degree-Granting Institutions

Process

Determine Authorization Need – Confirm whether the school must obtain state authorization or qualifies for an exemption. Alaska law exempts certain institutions (see State Exemptions below). If not exempt, the institution must be authorized by ACPE before operating.

Prepare Application Materials – Obtain ACPE’s Initial Authorization application form and assemble all required documentation. Key items include an institutional catalog (with program descriptions, admission criteria, and refund policy), evidence of ownership and governance (e.g. articles of incorporation, organizational chart), instructor and administrator résumés, financial statements or budgets demonstrating stability, and a student protection surety bond. Ensure all materials meet the standards set by Alaska statutes and regulations.

Submit Application – Complete the application form fully and mail the packet with all supporting documents and the required fees to ACPE by the published deadline. ACPE accepts applications on a rolling basis, but final approval occurs at Commission meetings (held quarterly), so timing your submission to meet meeting deadlines is critical.

Staff Review & Site Visit – ACPE staff will review the submission for completeness and compliance with state standards (covering educational quality, ethical business practices, health and safety, and fiscal responsibility). Staff may request additional information or corrections. For new institutions, ACPE typically conducts an on-site evaluation to verify facilities, equipment, and record-keeping align with the application and regulatory requirements.

Commission Decision – Once the application is deemed complete and compliant, ACPE staff forwards a recommendation to the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education board for action at its next scheduled meeting. The Commission may vote to grant full authorization to operate, grant a conditional authorization (with specific stipulations or required follow-up), or deny the application. An authorization, if approved, will list the institution’s name, address, approved programs, effective date, and any conditions or term limits.

Initial Authorization Issuance – Upon approval, ACPE issues a certificate of authorization. Initial authorizations are granted for a limited term (up to 2 years maximum). During this period, the institution must abide by all conditions of approval and operate strictly within the scope of programs and activities that were authorized.

Ongoing Compliance – Authorized institutions are expected to maintain compliance with Alaska’s postsecondary regulations at all times. Any significant changes – such as adding a new program, relocating the campus, changing ownership, or major policy revisions – generally require prior ACPE notification and approval via an amendment request. Schools must adhere to state standards on advertising (no false or misleading claims), maintain student records securely, and follow the state-mandated tuition refund policy for withdrawals.

Renewal – An institution must apply for renewal of its authorization before the current term expires (at least 60 days prior to expiration). The renewal process mirrors an initial application: the school updates its documentation (including current catalog, financials, enrollment data, etc.) and submits a renewal form with the prescribed fee. ACPE reviews renewal applications and may conduct another site visit, then the Commission votes on extending the authorization. Renewals can be granted for up to 5-year terms for established institutions in good standing.

Checklist of Required Items

• Completed application form – Initial Authorization application, filled out and signed by an authorized representative.
  
  
• Institution catalog or brochure – Detailing academic programs, course descriptions, admissions criteria, grading policy, refund policy, and student services.
  
  
• Program curricula and outcomes – Curriculum outlines or degree plans for each program, with learning objectives and graduation requirements.
  
  
• Faculty and staff qualifications – Résumés or CVs for instructors and key administrators, demonstrating appropriate credentials or experience for their teaching assignments or roles.
  
  
• Ownership and governance documents – Articles of incorporation, business license, organizational chart, and information on school owners, governing board members, or investors.
  
  
• Financial statements – Recent balance sheet, income statement, or budget projections evidencing the institution’s financial soundness; may include audited financials for established entities.
  
  
• Surety bond or security deposit – Proof of a student protection bond (amount determined by projected enrollment) or alternative collateral as required by Alaska law, to indemnify students in case of school closure or violation.
  
  
• Facility information – Documentation of the instructional site(s), such as a copy of the lease or deed for the campus location, floor plans of classrooms/labs, and an inventory of instructional equipment (especially for technical programs).
  
  
• Accreditation documentation (if applicable) – If the institution holds accreditation or is pursuing it, include evidence (accreditation certificates or correspondence). While accreditation is not mandatory for initial state authorization, any existing accreditation status should be disclosed.
  
  
• Fee payment proof – Receipts or confirmation of payment for the application fee and any other applicable fees.
  
  

Fees & Timelines

The state of Alaska charges a non-refundable application fee for postsecondary institution authorization. As of the current fee schedule, an in-state institution pays $2,750 for an initial authorization application, which covers up to three programs. For institutions offering more than three distinct programs, an additional $750 is charged per program (capped at a $5,000 maximum fee). This fee is submitted with the application. There is no separate surety fund fee (Alaska does not operate a tuition recovery fund), but the institution must secure the required surety bond at its own expense.

Once the completed application and fees are received, processing and review can take several months. ACPE staff will typically complete an initial completeness check within a few weeks. The comprehensive compliance review and scheduling of a site visit may extend over multiple weeks. Final approval is contingent on the Commission’s meeting schedule; since the Commission meets quarterly, an application ready for review will be placed on the agenda for the upcoming meeting. In practice, schools should expect the entire initial approval process (from submission to a decision) to range from roughly 3 to 6 months, depending on the timing of submission relative to meeting dates and the responsiveness of the institution in addressing any deficiencies. Upon approval, the initial authorization is granted for up to two years. For renewals, similar fees (and possibly lower annual renewal fees or per-program fees) apply, and the review timeline is generally shorter for compliant institutions. There is a firm deadline of 60 days before expiration for renewal submissions to ensure continuity of approval.

Agency Contact

Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education – Institutional Authorization Program
Program Coordinator: Tyler Eggen – Phone: 907-465-6741
Email: EED.ACPE-IA@alaska.gov
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 110505, Juneau, AK 99811-0505

Vocational and Career Schools

Process

Non-degree postsecondary institutions (career and technical schools) follow the same overall application procedure as described above for degree-granting colleges. The steps — from determining exemption status, preparing the application, submission, through ACPE review and Commission approval — all apply equally to vocational schools. However, there are a few important distinctions tailored to vocational and career training institutions:

• Surety Bond – The required bond amount is typically lower for a trade or career school, reflecting a smaller student enrollment. ACPE sets bond amounts based on the number of students; a vocational school with fewer enrollees will usually have a significantly lower bond requirement than a degree-granting college. This ensures student tuition is protected without imposing an undue burden on smaller schools.
  
  
• Application Fees – Vocational school applicants are subject to the same fee structure (base $2,750 application fee covering up to three programs). In practice, most career schools offer a limited number of programs, so they often pay only the base fee. The cost per additional program still applies if a school has multiple distinct courses of study, but overall fees tend to be modest for vocational institutions due to their narrower program offerings.
  
  
• Program Evaluation – ACPE’s review for a vocational institution places special emphasis on job-specific training quality and resources. Rather than an academic peer review of curricula, the evaluation looks at whether the program’s content is aligned with industry standards and workforce needs. Inspectors will verify that the school has adequate equipment, workshop space, and instructional materials to deliver hands-on training. They will also review student outcome plans (such as job placement assistance, apprenticeship opportunities, or licensure pass rates if applicable) to ensure the program is truly career-preparatory.
  
  
• Instructor Qualifications – For career schools, instructors’ practical experience and trade certifications are heavily weighed. ACPE expects vocational instructors to be competent in the skill or craft they are teaching (for example, a welding instructor with industry certification and experience). While academic degrees might not be required for teaching a vocational skill, the school must document each instructor’s relevant qualifications or professional credentials to establish their expertise.
  
  
• Accreditation – Accreditation is not required for a state-authorized vocational or non-degree school in Alaska. Many trade schools operate successfully without institutional accreditation. However, if a vocational institution later decides to offer degree programs or seek broader recognition, pursuing accreditation may become necessary at that stage. ACPE does not mandate accreditation for initial licensure of career schools, but any plans to transition into degree-granting status would likely involve meeting accreditation expectations.
  
  

Checklist of Required Items

Vocational and career school applicants must submit virtually the same documentation as degree-granting institutions. The focus of some items will differ slightly to suit non-degree programs:

• Application form and catalog – Completed application and a school catalog or student handbook outlining the vocational programs, admission requirements, attendance and conduct policies, grading or competency evaluation method, and tuition refund policy. The catalog should clearly describe each career program’s length, curriculum (course modules or topics), and any certification or credential the student earns.
  
  
• Program outlines and syllabi – A detailed outline or syllabus for each training program, including the skills taught, the number of instructional hours (lecture and practical/shop hours), and the equipment or tools used. ACPE uses this to assess whether the curriculum meets vocational standards and hour requirements.
  
  
• Instructor résumés – Résumés or qualification statements for each instructor, highlighting trade certifications, years of industry experience, teaching experience, and any licenses relevant to the subject (e.g. a master electrician license for an electrical training program instructor).
  
  
• Ownership, management, and financials – Documentation of the school’s business entity and leadership similar to that required of degree institutions (ownership papers, names of directors or managing staff). Financial information (such as a startup budget, proof of sufficient operating capital or a line of credit) must demonstrate the school can sustain operations and meet obligations to students.
  
  
• Facility and equipment inventory – A description of the physical training facilities, including workshops, labs, or classrooms, with an inventory of major equipment and training aids. Photographs or floor plans can be included to give ACPE a clear picture of the learning environment’s suitability and safety.
  
  
• Surety bond evidence – A copy of the executed surety bond (or alternative security deposit) sized appropriately for the vocational school’s expected enrollment. Even if smaller in amount, the bond must meet all legal conditions (issued by a company authorized in Alaska and covering student indemnification in case of school default).
  
  
• Supporting policies and compliance statements – Copies of any required specific policies, such as a grievance procedure for students, evidence of compliance with health and safety codes, and if applicable, approval from any other regulatory body (for instance, if a program like cosmetology or truck driving also needs another state board’s approval, that should be noted).
  
  
• Fee payment – Proof of payment of the state application fee and any program fees, as with any other institution’s application.
  
  

Fees & Timelines

The timeline and cost expectations for vocational school authorization are on par with those for degree-granting institutions. The initial application fee remains $2,750 (covering up to three programs), which for many small career schools will suffice, since they often propose one or two programs. If a vocational institution offers more than three distinct programs, it would incur the additional $750 per program fee, up to the $5,000 cap, just as a college would. There is no separate or higher fee category unique to vocational schools – Alaska’s fee schedule is uniform, simply scaling with the number of programs.

In terms of review timing, vocational school applications benefit from the same quarterly Commission review cycle. ACPE staff will process vocational applications with similar thoroughness, and a site visit is generally conducted because hands-on verification of equipment and facilities is crucial for career training programs. The overall approval timeline (several months from submission to Commission decision) is comparable to that of degree institutions. However, vocational applicants that are very clear-cut and well-prepared (for example, a small school teaching a single trade with all requirements met) may experience a relatively straightforward evaluation. Once authorized, vocational schools receive an initial authorization term (up to 2 years) and must renew just as other institutions do. The renewal intervals and processes are the same, with the possibility of multi-year renewals (up to 5 years) if the school demonstrates continued compliance and stable operations.

Agency Contact

Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education – Institutional Authorization Program
Program Coordinator: Tyler Eggen – Phone: 907-465-6741
Email: EED.ACPE-IA@alaska.gov
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 110505, Juneau, AK 99811-0505

State Exemptions

Some postsecondary education providers in Alaska are exempt from the ACPE authorization requirement by statute or regulation. Exemptions are limited to specific types of institutions or training that the law recognizes as outside the scope of state authorization. Key categories of exempt institutions include:

• Religious or theological institutions – Colleges or schools owned, controlled, and operated by a religious organization that offer education solely in the context of religious instruction (e.g. bible colleges or seminaries granting only ecclesiastical degrees). These institutions do not require ACPE authorization as long as they confer degrees of a religious nature and refrain from offering secular degrees.
  
  
• Schools sponsored by employers for their employees – In-house training programs provided by businesses for the exclusive benefit of their own employees are generally exempt. If a company conducts proprietary training or apprenticeships that are not open to the public and do not charge tuition, state authorization is not necessary.
  
  
• Short-term avocational or recreational programs – Organizations offering non-credit, short-duration courses for personal enrichment, such as hobby classes, single-day seminars, or recreational workshops, are exempt. The key factor is that these programs are not advertised as career education and do not lead to a credential for employment.
  
  
• Programs regulated by other government agencies – Certain vocational training programs overseen and approved by specialized state boards or federal agencies may be exempt from ACPE oversight. For example, flight instruction programs under FAA regulation, maritime academies regulated by the U.S. Coast Guard, or cosmetology/barber schools licensed by the state Board of Barbers and Hairdressers can fall under this exemption category. The rationale is that these programs are already subject to equivalent oversight for quality and consumer protection through another regulatory body.
  
  
• Out-of-state institutions with no physical presence – Institutions based outside Alaska that only engage in distance education (online learning) for Alaska residents, and have no physical presence in the state, may request an exemption from authorization. Typically, such institutions either participate in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) or apply directly to ACPE for a distance-delivery exemption. This exemption ensures that purely online educators do not need full authorization in Alaska, provided they meet certain conditions (such as informing students of complaint processes).
  
  

It is important to note that exemptions are not automatic. An institution must apply to ACPE for recognition of exempt status and provide documentation proving it meets the exemption criteria. ACPE reviews exemption applications and, if satisfied, will grant an official exemption determination. Once granted, an exemption is valid for a defined period (often up to five years). Exempt institutions should renew their exemption status periodically as required, since operating beyond an exemption’s expiration without either a renewal or a full authorization would violate state law. Some exempt schools choose to pursue voluntary authorization despite qualifying for exemption, in order to enhance credibility or to allow students access to state financial aid; Alaska permits this voluntary licensing if the school meets all standards (often with a waived bond requirement for those that would otherwise be exempt). In all cases, schools are advised to consult ACPE’s guidelines on exemptions to ensure they remain in compliance with Alaska statutes while operating under an exempt status.

For personalized guidance on navigating the authorization process for your private post secondary institution in Alaska, reach out to Expert Education Consultants (EEC) at +19252089037 or email sandra@experteduconsult.com