Renew my Institution's Certificate for Authorization?

The Renewal of Authorization Application will be completed in GNPEC’s online application portal, EDvera. Contact your institution’s Regulatory Specialist (RS) if new login credentials are needed. The application is made up of web forms, GNPEC documents, institution-created exhibits, and attestations.

The following items are required as part of the application:

1. Basic institutional information  (Web form)
   1. All nonpublic institutions authorized or seeking to obtain authorization in Georgia must annually provide a Georgia Secretary of State issued Certificate of Authority and the Annual Registration.       
2. Minimum Standards Criteria Form (GNPEC document requiring completion and upload)
3. Program Application for each authorized program (Web form)
   • While information is prepopulated based on existing program records, each form must be reviewed for accuracy. New Program Applications may be submitted at any time of the year, including as part of the Renewal of Authorization Application. Please ensure any program submitted as part of the application process has a fully developed curriculum and supporting documents. This includes a program outline, syllabus, and lesson plan at a minimum, though additional documents may be requested during the review.  
4. Enrollment Agreement/Student Contract (Exhibit)
5. Certificate or diploma example (Exhibit)
6. Current catalog (Exhibit) (See Catalog Guidelines )
7. Organizational Chart (Exhibit)
8. Personnel Data Inventory Form(s) (Web form)
   • While information is prepopulated based on existing personnel records, each form must be reviewed for accuracy. New Personnel Data Inventory Forms may be submitted at any time of the year, including as part of the Renewal of Authorization Application.
9. Records Agreement (Attestation)
10. Director’s Agreement (Attestation)
11. Financial Statement (GNPEC document requiring completion and upload)
    • Please be aware that GNPEC reserves the right to complete a financial viability assessment as part of the authorization process. Supplementary financial documentation may be requested in order to complete this review.  See Minimum Standard 8 for detailed information regarding financial resources.
12. Tuition information for Georgia students for the most recent fiscal year of operation (Web form)
13. Fees: Authorization Fee and Tuition Guaranty Trust Fund (TGTF) Fee (if applicable)
    • See Schedule of Fees for details. 
    • TGTF Fee is required for the first 7 years of GNPEC Authorization.

Should a financial viability assessment be required, the RS will provide the external auditor with the submitted institution’s financial documentation. If additional documentation is required, or if a Financial Improvement Plan is requested, the RS will guide the institutional contact through the process.

The RS will review the Renewal of Authorization Application and determine any need for modifications, if necessary. This review will include a standards-based assessment of application documentation and an evaluation of programmatic content.

During the application review, any new program submitted or substantively changed program will be reviewed first for consistency with other institutional documentation and then the program's length, delivery, and content will be evaluated to ensure it meets program objectives and agency requirements. The school will be provided feedback and have the opportunity to revise the program based on that feedback as part of this review process, However, the program’s approval is not guaranteed. If the school does not meet the requirements as explained during the review period, the program will be denied. If a school does not have any authorized programs, it cannot be an authorized institution.  

If the institution is located in Georgia, the RS will complete a site visit (see the  Site Visit Guidelines  for details).

Failure to submit all fees in office or online by the due date will result in late fees. 25% late fees will be incurred for any application submitted after the due date but prior to 30 days before expiration. 50% late fees will be incurred for any application submitted within thirty days of the expiration date. Authorization will not be renewed if the institution has not remitted all required fees. The fee amounts are calculated for institutions within the application. See the Schedule of Fees for information.

Having met GNPEC standards and paid all appropriate fees, the institution is issued a Certificate of Authorization, which is valid for a maximum of one year and must be visibly posted on the campus.

Application for annual renewal of Certificate of Authorization, with all appropriate fees, must be submitted in Edvera no later than sixty (60) days prior to the certificate’s new expiration date. 25% late fees will be incurred for any application submitted after the due date but prior to 30 days before expiration. 50% late fees will be incurred for any application submitted within thirty days of the expiration date. 

An institution that fails to submit the Renewal of Authorization, in its entirety, by the expiration date listed on the current Certificate will experience a loss of authorization due to non-renewal and will no longer be legally permitted to operate. If the institution seeks to regain authorization in the future, it will be required to comply with the policies and procedures for initial authorization, including all fee requirements.

Please be aware that institutions not accredited by a US-based accrediting association recognized by the United States Secretary of Education are required to submit the GNPEC Student Outcome Data Report. The GNPEC Student Outcome Data Report is required to be completed and submitted annually within the Renewal of Authorization application; the reporting period should align with the institution's fiscal year.  Additionally, for institutions not accredited by a US-based accrediting association recognized by the United States Secretary of Education, the GNPEC Student Disclosure Form must be provided to each student at the time of his/her enrollment. It must be signed by both the student and institutional representative, and a copy must be included in the student’s file. The disclosure form may not be altered or revised by the institution.