Useful Links

• Office of the State Auditor--Private Occupational Schools Division
  Private occupational schools must annually submit financial statements and other required documentation to the OSA. Please contact the OSA for more information. One Ashburton Place, Room 1819, Boston, MA 02108.  617-727-6200
• Massachusetts Department of Higher Education
  Oversees degree-granting institutions.  One Ashburton Place, Room 1401, Boston, MA 02108-1696. 617-994-6950
• Department of Labor and Workforce Development
  Schools who accept students from the DLWD are also subject to its rules and regulations.
  399 Washington Street, 5^th Floor, Boston, MA  02108.  617-727-3452
• Department of Public Health
  Some schools and/or programs may also be subject to the rules and regulations of the DPH. 99 Chauncy Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111.  617-753-8000

• New England Board of Higher Education
  45 Temple Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02111.  617-357-9620
• U.S. Department of Education
  400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202-0498. 1-800-USA-Learn, 1-800-872-5327
• U.S. Department of Labor - Employment & Training Administration (ETA) with links to the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), Grants, Conferences and news issues.

• Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
  803 W. Broad St. Suite 730, Falls Church, VA 22046. 703-533-2082
• Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) 2101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 302, Arlington, Virginia 22201. 703-247-4212
• Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
  7777 Leesburg Pike, Suite 314, N. Falls Church, VA  22043.  703-947-9503
• Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET)
  1722 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036.  202-995-1113
• Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
  750 First Street NE, Suite 980, Washington, DC 20002-4223.  202-336-6780
• Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
  2101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 302Arlington, Virginia 22201. 703-247-4212
• American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS)
  15825 N 71st Street Suite 100, Scottsdale, AZ 85254.  800-831-1086
• Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA)
  5335 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 440 Washington, DC 20015. 202-888-6790
• Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)
  1601 18th Street, N.W., Suite 2, Washington, D.C. 20009.  202-234-5100
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
  209 Burlington Road, Bedford, MA  01730-1433. 781-271-0022    
• National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (NACCAS)
  901 North Stuart Street #900, Arlington, Virginia 22203. 703-527-7600

• American Public Health Association (APHA)
  800 I Street N.W., Washington, DC 20001-3710. 202-777-APHA
• Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities (APSCU)
  1101 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20036. 202-336-6700
• Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
  One Dupont Circle NW, Suite 510, Washington, DC 20036.  202-955-6126
• Massachusetts Association of Private Career Schools (MAPCS)
  11 Robert Toner Blvd., # 234, North Attleboro, MA 02763.   508-695-3919
• National Health Career Association
  134 Evergreen Place, 9th Floor, East Orange, NJ 07018. 800-499-9092
• National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER)
  PO Box 141104, Gainesville, FL 32614. 352-334-0911

• G.L. c. 255, § 13K - sets forth requirements for termination and refund provisions in contracts between schools and students;
• 940 CMR 3.10 - regulations promulgated by the Attorney General outline conduct, terminology, and representations constituting unfair methods of competition or unfair or deceptive acts or practices regarding occupational schools;
• G.L. c. 112, §§ 74 - 81C - sets forth the requirements for the establishment of nursing schools;
• 244 CMR 6.00 - regulations promulgated by the Board of Registration in Nursing set forth the requirements for schools seeking approval for practical nursing programs;
• G.L. c. 62C, § 49A - requires license applicants to certify compliance with laws relating to taxes, reporting of employees and contractors, and child support;
• G.L. c.119,§ 51A - mandates reporting of child abuse by a public or private school teacher, or educational administrator;
• G.L. c. 19C § 10 - mandates reporting of abuse of a disabled person by a public or private school teacher, or educational administrator;
• Americans with Disabilities Act - school and school's facilities must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Private occupational schools may also be subject to laws or regulations of trade-specific DPL Boards, or other state or federal agencies.

• Division of Professional Licensure's Boards of Registration for electricians, plumbers, gas fitters, massage therapists, sheet metal workers
• Department of Public Health's Nurse Aide Registry Program
• United States Coast Guard for maritime training programs
• Federal Aviation Administration for aviation maintenance programs Training and Testing - Training and Testing Schools
• Department of Motor Vehicles for professional driving programs, automotive technicians, electronics, mechanics, and repair
• Department of Fire Services or Office of Public Safety and Inspections for construction supervisor, HVAC, oil burner and refrigeration programs
• Executive Office of Health and Human Services for dental assisting, pharmacy technician, practical nursing
• Department of Early Education and Care for early childhood education programs