Postsecondary State Authorization

The Division of Postsecondary State Authorization oversees and monitors private proprietary, for-profit, and not-for-profit schools offering training or education leading to a vocation, college credit or issuance of an educational credential. 

Authorization may be granted to both degree and non-degree granting institutions and encompasses a wide variety of schools such as: academic, trade, technical, career, professional, and out-of-state institutions with presence, advertisement, and/or recruitment practices in Tennessee. 


  • Related areas include:
  • Assisting individuals or businesses seeking authorization to operate a postsecondary educational institution or make a determination of exemption from the provisions of the Tennessee Higher Education Authorization Act of 2016 (HEAA).
  • Supplying information and assistance to prospective schools interested in submitting an Initial Authorization Application  to operate as a postsecondary school in the state. An Initial Authorization Application may be obtained by calling DPSA at (615) 741-5293.
  • Authorized institutions interested in offering new programs must submit a Program Registration Request (PRR) prior to offering the proposed program(s). 
  • Establishing and requiring compliance with minimum standards for school administration, operation and requisite educational standards  as well as authorizing the use of degrees, diplomas, certificates or any other educational credentials.

Unless exempt, a postsecondary educational institution creating a physical presence in Tennessee must be authorized to operate and engage in certain activities in Tennessee. To determine the appropriate path for your institution, review the State Authorization Flowchart available HERE  . Tennessee has two authorization pathways available. A comparison chart is HERE  . A detailed explanation of the initial authorization process is available HERE.

Exempt postsecondary educational institutions creating a physical presence in Tennessee are not required to be authorized to operate or engage in certain activities in Tennessee. Exemptions are listed at Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-2004 and Rule 1540-01-02-.05. A summary of exemption authorities is available HERE . If after reviewing the exemption authorities, you believe that the instruction meets the requirements of one or more of the exemptions, then no further action is required, unless you want an exemption determination. Per statute, an exemption applies if an institution or its instruction meets the terms of an exemption. That being said, third parties may want to see a formal exemption determination, so THEC offers this service. To request a formal exemption determination you must complete and submit the Exemption Determination Request ("EDR"); However, before submitting an EDR, we suggest you schedule a meeting with our office to discuss your instituion and its programs. To request a meeting, email THEC.RCD@tn.gov.

Helpful Links and Resources:

 

In order to become authorized as a postsecondary educational institution in the state, the school must meet a variety of minimum standards including:

For a complete description of the minimum standards, refer to T.C.A. §49-7-2006 and the Postsecondary Rules Chapter 1540-01-02-.06 and 1540-01-02-.10.

  • Educational programs with demonstrated quality, content and appropriate length
  • Compliant administrative, business and operational standards
  • Qualified instructors and administrative staff
  • Financial stability

For a complete description of the minimum standards, refer to T.C.A. §49-7-2006 and the Postsecondary Rules Chapter 1540-01-02-.06 and 1540-01-02-.10.

In today's educational market there are literally thousands of distance education providers around the world. Distance education simply means that there is physical separation of the instructor and student. The means of communication can be in many forms including paper correspondence, video, audio, teleconference, internet or any combination of such. Distance education programs are held to the same minimum standards as traditional on-site programs.