Arkansas Administrative Code Agency 142 - State Board of Private Career Education
The Arkansas State Board of Private Career Education (SBPCE) is the primary regulatory authority overseeing private vocational and technical schools in Arkansas. Established under Arkansas Code § 6-51-605, the board ensures that private institutions meet specific standards before they can operate legally within the state.(law.justia.com)
🏛️ Board Composition
The SBPCE comprises seven members appointed by the Governor:
Three members associated with private career schools.
Four members from the general public.(law.justia.com)
Additionally, the Director of the Division of Higher Education and the Director of the Division of Career and Technical Education, or their designees, serve as nonvoting, ex officio members .(codes.findlaw.com)
📜 Authority and Responsibilities
The SBPCE, through the Division of Higher Education, holds the authority to:(casetext.com)
Approve schools offering programs that lead to or enhance occupational objectives.
Administer and enforce regulations pertaining to private career education.
Issue licenses to schools that meet established standards, including:
Program offerings.
Adequate facilities.
Financial stability.
Qualified personnel.
Legitimate operating practices .(codes.findlaw.com, law.justia.com, legalfix.com, law.justia.com)
Upon approval, these institutions are authorized to issue certificates or diplomas to their graduates.(law.justia.com)
⚖️ Dispute Resolution
The SBPCE serves as the sole authority to resolve disputes between students and schools concerning:(law.justia.com)
Failure of the school to honor agreements made with the student.
Misrepresentations by admissions representatives during enrollment .(law.justia.com)
Dispute resolutions are conducted in accordance with the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act.(law.justia.com)
📚 Continuing Education Approval
The SBPCE is also responsible for approving continuing education courses for professionals in various fields. For instance, the Arkansas Real Estate Commission accepts continuing education courses only if they are approved by the SBPCE or exempted under specific provisions .(regulations.justia.com)
🏫 Recent Legislative Developments
In March 2025, the Arkansas Legislature introduced House Bill 1512, aiming to reform the state's private career education landscape. This bill seeks to:(citizenportal.ai)
Clarify definitions related to educational institutions.
Establish a more structured framework for private career education.
Enhance the quality of education and protect prospective students from misleading practices .(citizenportal.ai)
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