U.S. FEDRegulation
Education Department panel declines to recommend on ABA law-school accreditation renewal
The National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity voted on September 24, 2026 not to recommend whether the Education Department should renew the American Bar Association council’s federal recognition as a law-school accreditor, after deadlocking the prior day. The matter now goes to Under Secretary Nicholas Kent, who has up to 90 days to decide. The department last month signaled it plans not to renew the ABA’s status.
Text (Bloomberg Law) → · Law360, Inside Higher Ed
Key points
- NACIQI voted on September 24, 2026 to make no recommendation on renewing or denying the ABA law-school accreditation council’s federal recognition.Bloomberg LawLaw360Inside Higher Ed
- The panel had deadlocked the prior day on proposals to renew, deny, or add conditions.Bloomberg LawInside Higher Ed
- Under Secretary Nicholas Kent has up to 90 days to decide; the Education Department last month recommended against renewal.Bloomberg LawInside Higher Ed
- ABA council co-chair Melissa Hart said the council takes recognition seriously and will keep working with the department.Bloomberg LawInside Higher Ed