CA AB3167

Allows highly qualified private nonprofit institutions to register with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education beginning July 1, 2025, by paying a $1,500 registration fee and providing evidence of accreditation and institutional information.

Defines "highly qualified private nonprofit institution" as a tax-exempt organization with no insider transactions in the past five years, 20+ years of nonprofit status, minimum 500 degrees awarded annually, and accreditation by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for at least 10 years.

Requires registered highly qualified private nonprofit institutions to comply with Student Tuition Recovery Fund requirements for California students and removes the previous option to substitute a surety bond in lieu of these requirements.

Permits institutions that received approval to operate by accreditation before July 1, 2025, to elect to register under the new registration pathway instead.

Requires highly qualified private nonprofit institutions registering with the bureau to comply with all applicable state and federal laws, and establishes a contract process for complaint resolution and oversight.