North Carolina SB 333: Prohibit Illegal Accreditation Requirements.

Bill Text

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
S 1
SENATE BILL 333

Short Title: Prohibit Illegal Accreditation Requirements. (Public)
Sponsors: Senators Galey and Hanig (Primary Sponsors).
Referred to: Rules and Operations of the Senate
March 20, 2025
*S333-v-1*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT TO PROHIBIT CONSTITUENT INSTITUTIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF 2
NORTH CAROLINA AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES FROM VIOLATING STATE OR 3
FEDERAL LAW BECAUSE OF A REQUIREMENT OF AN ACCREDITING AGENCY. 4
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 5
SECTION 1.(a) G.S. 116-11.4 reads as rewritten: 6
"§ 116-11.4. Accreditation. 7
(a) Definitions. – The following definitions apply in this section: 8
... 9
(2) Accrediting agency. – An agency or association that accredits institutions of 10
higher education. 11
... 12
(b1) Illegal Accreditation Requirements Prohibited. – A constituent institution of The 13
University of North Carolina shall not take any action in violation of State or federal law because 14
of any principle, standard, policy, or other requirement of an accrediting agency. 15
... 16
(d) Certain Programs Exempt. – The Except as provided in subsection (b1) of this section, 17
the requirements of this section do not apply to professional, graduate, departmental, or certificate 18
programs at constituent institutions that have specific accreditation requirements or best 19
practices, including law, pharmacy, engineering, and other similar educational programs, as 20
identified by the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina. 21
...." 22
SECTION 1.(b) G.S. 115D-6.2 reads as rewritten: 23
"§ 115D-6.2. Accreditation. 24
(a) Definitions. – The following definitions apply in this section: 25
... 26
(2) Accrediting agency. – An agency or association that accredits institutions of 27
higher education. 28
... 29
(b1) Illegal Accreditation Requirements Prohibited. – A community college shall not take 30
any action in violation of State or federal law because of any principle, standard, policy, or other 31
requirement of an accrediting agency. 32
... 33
(d) Certain Programs Exempt. – The Except as provided in subsection (b1) of this section, 34
the requirements of this section do not apply to professional, departmental, or certificate 35

General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 2 Senate Bill 333-First Edition
programs at community colleges that have specific accreditation requirements or best practices, 1
as identified by the State Board of Community Colleges. 2
...." 3
SECTION 2. This act is effective when it becomes law. 4