W. Va. Code R. § 133-20-4

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 133-20-4 - Exemptions

4.1. Institutions that clearly qualify as exemptions under this rule and after Commission staff review shall be considered exempt from authorization. Institutional exemption is subject to annual review and/or revocation any time the activity deviates from the original determination factors for exemption. The following institutions shall be exempt from the provisions of this rule:

4.1.a. Any existing institutions of higher education approved to operate in West Virginia prior to the effective date of this rule. Should any such institution, as the result of a change of ownership, or operational status from a non-profit to a for-profit institution, be required to modify its accreditation status from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, such institution must secure approval for the change(s) from the Higher Education Policy Commission.

4.1.b. Correspondence, business, occupational and trade schools which

4.1.b.1. offer nothing higher than a specialized associate degree,

4.1.b.2. are regulated under West Virginia Code provisions (18B-2B-9) on correspondence, business, occupational and trade schools.

4.1.c. Out-of-state institutions:

4.1.c.1. offering courses through brokering or other collaborative arrangements with a West Virginia public institution of higher education and which support programmatic offerings of the state institution;

4.1.c.2. offering a short course or seminar in which the instruction for the segment takes no more than twenty classroom hours and is not for college credit, or

4.1.c.3. offering courses or programs on a military installation solely for military personnel or civilians employed on such installation.

4.1.d. Non-Degree granting institutions whose programs are designed primarily for job entry or upgrading of skills and are described in clock (contact) hours. These programs typically prepare individuals for employment and do not require courses beyond those specific to the job or its field with program length sufficient to effect outcomes.

4.2. Each institution of higher education which claims to be exempt under the provisions of this section must file with the Commission such information as may be required by the Commission to determine whether the institution is exempt. The written request for an exemption must be received by the Commission at least thirty (30) days prior to the proposed initiation date of a course of instruction. The Commission shall notify the institution in writing indicating whether or not the institution is exempt.

W. Va. Code R. § 133-20-4