Sec.10a-34-4. Licensure

(a) Purpose. The purpose of the licensure process is (1) to ensure that proposed institutions and programs comply substantially or have the potential to comply with the quality standards specified in Sections 10a-34-9 through 10a-34-24, inclusive, of these regulations, and (2) to ensure that nonaccredited institutions and programs continue to comply with these standards. The purpose of the licensure process also is to ensure that each proposed program complies with the requirements of subsection (b) (2) of Section 10a-34-1 of these regulations.

(b) Applications. An application for licensure or relicensure of an institution or program shall be filed in a format developed by the Commissioner. Applications for licensure of a new institution or degree program should be filed at least nine months in advance of the date on which the institution or program is to begin operating or the date that current licensure expires.

(c) Circulation. A summary of each new institutional and program proposal shall be circulated to all institutions of higher learning in Connecticut and to other interested parties, for review and comment regarding the need for the institution or program. The applicant institution shall be given an opportunity to respond to all comments. Circulation shall not be required for undergraduate certificate and associate degree programs that are judged by the commissioner to be closely related to existing approved programs.

(d) Completeness. The Commissioner shall be responsible for determining within 25 working days of receipt whether an application is complete and for requesting from the applicant institution additional information required, so that the assessment can continue.

(e) Planning Assessment.

(1) Public institutions. (A) Proposals for new public institutions shall be reviewed by the Commissioner in regard to mission, role and scope; need for the institution and its curricula; unnecessary duplication of existing institutions and programs; cost effectiveness; and availability of adequate resources. (B) Program proposals submitted by public institutions shall be reviewed by the Commissioner in regard to conformance with the institution's role and mission; need for the program; unnecessary duplication of existing programs; cost effectiveness; and availability of adequate resources. (C) In the event that planning assessment results in a positive finding, the Commissioner shall proceed with quality assessment. In the event that planning assessment results in a negative finding, the Commissioner shall offer the institution the option of withdrawing. If the application is not withdrawn, the Commissioner shall refer the results of the planning assessment to the Board for a determination as to whether to proceed with quality review.

(2) Independent institutions: Proposals for new independent institutions and program proposals submitted by independent institutions shall be reviewed on an advisory basis by the Commissioner in regard to need and adequacy of resources. In the event that planning assessment results in a positive finding, the Commissioner shall proceed with quality assessment. In the event that the planning assessment results in a negative finding, the Commissioner shall offer the institution the option of withdrawing the proposal. In the absence of a withdrawal, the Commissioner shall initiate quality assessment of the proposal.

(3) In the case of a proposed undergraduate degree or certificate program judged by the commissioner to be closely related to existing approved programs, the assessment of need and resources may be based on a certification of need and resources from the chief executive officer of the constituent unit or independent institution, in a format developed by the Commissioner.

(f) Quality assessment. Evaluation of institutions and programs for compliance with the approval standards in Sections 10a-34-9 through 10a-34-24, inclusive, of these regulations, shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Section 10a-34-6, of these regulations. Planning assessment and quality assessment shall proceed concurrently, except that an evaluation visit shall not be conducted prior to completion of planning assessment.

(g) Duration of approval. Licensure of a new institution or program may be granted for a period not to exceed three years, thereafter renewable for periods not to exceed three years.

(h) Simultaneous licensure and accreditation. The Board may grant simultaneous licensure and accreditation for programs proposed by accredited institutions that demonstrate substantial compliance with the approval of standards in Sections 10a-34-9 through 10a-34-24, inclusive, of these regulations, at the time of initial application.

(Effective September 25, 1990)