This document is intended to provide clarity to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies. The Secretary's Criteria for Recognition are organized by sections on the U.S. Department of Education's e-Recognition website. For each of these sections, Department staff will review the application and related materials, including the results of site visits or file reviews, and issue a recommended finding to be presented to the NACIQI (National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity) and the senior Department official (SDO): (1) Fully compliant; (2) Substantially compliant; and (3) Not compliant. Definitions that apply to the Department's accreditation regulations can be found at 34 CFR 600.2 and 602.3. This Handbook includes 34 CFR §602.10 (Link to Federal programs) through §602.28 (Regard for decisions of States and other accrediting agencies). [This Handbook was produced by the Office of Postsecondary Education's Accreditation Group. For use by accrediting agencies submitting petitions or reports after July 1, 2020.]