(a) Candidate institutions shall submit the following information or documents to the Department for consideration for registration: - (i) Complete and accurate registration application in the form and manner prescribed by the Department of Education;
- (ii) Official verification or proof of acceptance as a candidate or applicant for accreditation by a recognized accrediting agency;
- (iii) An annual registration fee of one thousand dollars ($1000.00) in the form of a certified check payable to the "Wyoming Department of Education";
- (iv) A performance bond or letter of credit in the amount of ten thousand dollar ($10,000) that is approved as to form by the Attorney General. The following applies to any performance bond or letter of credit obtained for purposes of this subsection:
- (A) The performance bond or other form of security shall be maintained continuously while registered as a candidate institution.
- (B) The Department shall be the custodian of all bonds and other securities filed under this Section and may render administrative, but not legal assistance, to all aggrieved persons who may be entitled to relief under the bond.
- (C) A finding by the Department that any institution practiced fraud, made any fraudulent representation, or violated any statute, rule or regulation relating to the application for registration or operation of the institution may result in forfeiture of the full amount of the bond and loss of registration.
(b) For registration by the Department as a candidate institution, in addition to submitting the required application and documentation, the candidate institution shall assist the Department in development of a plan that monitors the progress of the candidate institution towards obtaining accreditation. The plan shall: - (i) Include a detailed timeline specifying the critical milestones to be undertaken by the candidate institution to obtain accreditation and the time that is necessary to complete each item;
- (ii) Be signed by the Department and the candidate institution and serve as a formal agreement between the parties to ensure the milestones are accomplished in accordance with the terms of the plan to maintain registration as a candidate institution;
- (iii) Include a provision which requires the candidate institution to provide a copy of any and all correspondence or documents, which relate to the accreditation or applicant or candidacy status of the institution, to the Department in a timely manner.
(c) The candidate institution shall submit annual progress reports with the annual renewal registration which outlines the progress of the candidate institution towards accomplishing the items identified in the plan. The progress report shall include documentation from the accrediting agency which supports progress towards, or accomplishment of, the tasks identified in the plan. Progress toward obtaining accreditation in accordance with the plan outlined in Subsection (b) shall be made to maintain registration as a candidate institution.
(d) The period of registration as a candidate institution shall not exceed five (5) years and shall expire at the end of the five (5) year period or at the time the applicant is refused candidacy or application status or accreditation by the accrediting association, or otherwise loses candidacy or application status, whichever occurs first. The candidate institution shall not operate or conduct business in this State upon expiration of the five (5) years or loss of candidacy or application status for accreditation.
(e) Exceptions may be granted to the five (5) year limitation upon a determination by the Department that good cause has been demonstrated by the applicant and an extension or an exception is necessary and appropriate. Good cause does not exist and shall not be recognized by the Department for the following reasons: - (i) Change of ownership, management or instructional staff by the applicant;
- (ii) Change of location of the applicant's campus;
- (iii) Change of programs of instruction;
- (iv) Change of financial status of applicant;
- (v) Change of name of institution; or
- (v) Change of accrediting agency prior to achieving accreditation;
(f) Requests for exceptions to the five (5) year limitations shall be made in the writing and in the form and manner prescribed by the Department. - (i) The Department shall respond to a request for an extension of the five (5) year limitation in writing.
- (ii) In the event the request is denied, the response shall state the reasons for denial.
- (iii) In the event the request is granted, the Department shall state the appropriate reason for the exception and shall identify a period of time for which the exception applies.
- (iv) In no event shall an exception be granted in excess of one (1) year from the time it is requested. Consecutive exceptions may be requested for good cause, but the Department shall re-visit the exception request no less than once annually to determine if it is still appropriate.
206-30 Wyo. Code R. § 30-9