Section R156-31b-601 - Requirements for Non-accredited Nursing Education Programs(1) A nursing education program with temporary approval under Subsection 58-31b-601(2) or (3)(a) shall: (a) disclose to each student who enrolls that:(i) program accreditation is pending, meaning that the program has an active application on file with an accrediting body as defined in Subsection R156-31b-102(1), by having submitted initial notification to the accrediting body;(ii) any education completed before the accrediting body's final determination will satisfy, at least in part, state requirements for prelicensing education; and(iii) if the program fails to achieve accreditation in accordance with Section 58-31b-601, a student who has not yet graduated will not be made eligible for the NCLEX by the state; and(b) attest to each student who enrolls that the program is allowed to enroll new students because it meets the requirements of Section 58-31b-601.(2) The disclosure required by Subsection (1) shall:(a) be signed by each student who enrolls; and(b) at a minimum, state the following: "The nursing program in which you are enrolling has not yet been accredited. The program is being reviewed by the (insert the name of the accrediting body). This program is allowed to enroll new students because it meets the requirements of Section 58-31b-601 for temporary approval. Any education you complete in accordance with Section 58-31b-601, or a final approved determination by the (insert the name of the accrediting body) will satisfy state requirements for licensure. If the (insert the name of the accrediting body) ultimately determines that the program does not qualify for accreditation, you will not be made eligible for the NCLEX by the state of Utah."(3) A nursing education program with temporary approval under Subsection 58-31b-601(2) or (3)(a) shall provide to the Board: (a) a Board-approved annual report by December 31 of each calendar year; and(b) copies of the correspondence between the program provider and the accrediting body, within 30 days of the program's receipt or transmission of the correspondence.(4) If an accredited program under Subsection 58-31b-601(1) or a program with temporary approval under Subsection 58-31b-601(2) or (3)(a) receives notice or determines that its accreditation status or candidacy for accreditation is in jeopardy, the program shall: (a) immediately notify the Board of its accreditation status;(b) immediately and verifiably notify each enrolled student in writing of the program's accreditation status, including:(i) the estimated date when the accrediting body will make its final determination as to the program's accreditation; and(ii) the potential impact of the program's accreditation status on the student's ability to: (A) secure licensure and employment; and(B) transfer academic credits to another institution in the future; and(c) attempt negotiations with other academic institutions to establish a transfer articulation agreement.(5) Under Section 58-31b-601, if a program with temporary approval fails to achieve accreditation, or if an accredited program loses its accreditation, the program shall: (a) within ten days of receiving formal notification from the accrediting body, submit to the Board: (i) a written report of official notice of losing accreditation; and(ii) a written plan to close the program and cease operations;(b) notify in writing each matriculated and pre-enrollment nursing student about the program's accreditation status; and(c) notify in writing each nursing student who will graduate from a non-accredited program that they will not be eligible for initial licensure through the state.Utah Admin. Code R156-31b-601
Adopted by Utah State Bulletin Number 2023-03, effective 1/24/2023