HB 160: Removing Accreditation Requirements

Everyone wants professionals who know what they are doing. But the government requiring both an accredited bachelor’s degree and license testing is both inefficient and redundant. Yet both of these steps are required for many careers in the state. Being able to remove this hurdle provides greater flexibility for professionals entering the workforce, while ensuring they have the knowledge to do the job.

House Bill 160 (HB 160) from Representative Stephanie Gricius does this. This bill still requires bachelor’s degrees for professional licenses, but simply removes the accreditation requirement.

HB 160 increases the workforce pool by not arbitrarily eliminating candidates from unaccredited colleges. Applicants must still certify their content knowledge through a licensing exam.

Accreditation used to mean something to universities, but since they became required for licensing, the process has become a box to be checked rather than a badge of honor for the university.

By removing accreditation requirements we open the door for more innovative higher education providers to improve post high school learning.