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State-Approved and Exempt College and University Information

Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education Status

The Status of the Current Act:

Pursuant to sunset provisions in existing statute, the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE) no longer exists as of June 30, 2007. Assembly Bill 525 (Cook) provided for the continuation of all pending matters before the former Bureau from July 1, 2007, to July 1, 2008. The bill also allowed continued, limited state oversight of private postsecondary schools by the Department of Consumer Affairs. This statute also became inoperative on July 1, 2008. Since the termination of the Reform Act and the absence of new statute to replace its provisions, no law currently exists to establish either minimum quality standards to be met by private colleges and universities or consumer protection standards for the students.

The Status of Pending Legislation as of April 27, 2009

Presently there are two pieces of legislation that seek to re-establish state oversight for the private postsecondary sector. Assembly Bill 48 by Assemblymember Anthony Portantino proposes the Postsecondary Education Act of 2009. The bill would establish the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education in the Department of Consumer Affairs as a successor agency to the former bureau. The new Bureau would be charged with ensuring minimum standards of instructional quality and institutional stability in private postsecondary educational institutions. AB 48 requires the new Bureau, among other responsibilities, to review and investigate all institutions, programs, and courses of instruction approved under the Act.

Senate Bill 489 by Senator Carol Liu proposes the Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education Reform and Student Consumer Protection Act of 2009. This bill expresses the intent of the Legislature to provide for the protection, education, and welfare of California's citizens, postsecondary educational institutions, and students. The bill would require the California Postsecondary Education Commission to establish a Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education to function as the statewide private postsecondary and vocational educational licensing and enforcement agency, in accordance with the act. The bill would require each private postsecondary education institution desiring to operate in this state to apply to the bureau for licensure.

For additional information on these measures contact the offices of Assemblymember Anthony Portantino, (916) 319-2144, or Senator Carol Liu, (916) 651-4021.

The Commission's Role

The Commission acts as a clearinghouse for private postsecondary and vocational education institutions that are approved by the state of California by maintaining a list of licensed schools. However, the Commission does not have any authority regarding licensure or oversight of the schools. For any questions about licensure or oversight of these institutions, please contact the Department of Consumer Affairs at http://www.dca.ca.gov, call (800) 952-5210, e-mail: dca@dca.ca.gov or write Department of Consumer Affairs, Consumer Information Division, 1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N 112, Sacramento, CA 95834.

Additional Information:

2006 BPPVE data suggest there were about 400,000 students were enrolled at BPPVE approved private postsecondary institutions (both accredited and approved). Of those students, approximately 280,000 students attended non-degree-granting institutions and the remaining 120,000 attended degree-granting institutions. The BPPVE approved institutions serve a significant portion of students seeking postsecondary educational and vocational training services.

The information below was accurate prior to June 30, 2007. See above for the status of pending legislation. Private postsecondary schools, colleges, and universities are approved by the State with oversight authority vested in the Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE).

Listed in this section are 211 state approved degree-granting institutions offering a variety of academic programs. Some institutions are exempt from the regular state approval process and are also listed in this section. To qualify for an exemption there are requirements that must be met as listed in the California Education Code, Title 3, Division 10, Part 59, Chapter 7, Private Postsecondary and Vocational Institutions.

A listing of state-approved and exempt schools is available in our Guide.

Generally, institutions that are exempt from state approval are exempt for the following reasons:

  • The institution is accredited by a national accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association (ABA)
    • .
  • The institution is accredited by a regional accrediting agency such as the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
    • .
  • The institution teaches religion and meets all the requirements for a religious exemption
    • .
The BPPVE also approves approximately 2,400 non-degree granting vocational schools and programs leading to licensing.

For additional information about state approved institutions, exemptions, or vocational school licensing requirements, contact the BPPVE or access their website:

Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education
Department of Consumer Affairs
1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N 112
Sacramento, CA 95834
Phone: (800) 952-5210,
http://www.dca.ca.gov/