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California Postsecondary Education Commission Home Page

State-Approved and Exempt College and University Information

Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education Status

AB 48 (Portantino, Chapter 310, Statutes of 2009) replaces the former Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education with the new Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). The bill was signed by the governor on October 11, 2009. The new law (California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009) establishes the BPPE in the Department of Consumer Affairs and appropriates money from the Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education Administration Fund for its initial operation. The new law continues the existence of the Student Tuition Recovery Fund, provides that certain violations of the new Act are punishable as infractions, and provides procedures for the resolution of student claims under the former Act.

The new law exempts institutions accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, or the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges from most provisions of the Act.

AB 48 requires the BPPE, the Bureau of State Audits, and the Legislative Analyst’s Office to report compliance with the new Act in 2013. The law repeals the Act on January 1, 2016.

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 Bureau at
Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
P.O. Box 980818
West Sacramento, CA 95798-0818
Phone: (916) 574-7720

Additional Information:

2006 data from the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education suggest there were about 400,000 students were enrolled at 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 approved institutions serve a significant portion of students seeking postsecondary educational and vocational training services.

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 Education (BPPE).

Listed in this section are 210 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 BPPE 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 BPPE or access their website:

< Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
P.O. Box 980818
West Sacramento, CA 95798-0818
Phone: (916) 574-7720
http://www.bppe.ca.gov/