Hawaii Post-secondary Education Authorization Program (HPEAP)
Welcome to the website of the Hawaii Post-secondary Education Authorization Program (HPEAP). HPEAP was created in 2013 by Act 180 to provide regulatory oversight of certain post-secondary educational institutions that have a physical presence in the state. The Act was then codified as Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 305J
Quick Access
Essential Resources and Tools
Authorized schools list, transcript services, student forms, and fee schedules student application forms, and all the necessary information required for navigating Hawaii’s educational regulations
Official Bulletin
Important Updates
Current announcements, regulatory changes, and departmental updates to keep the Hawaii post-secondary community informed
Establishing a location in Hawaii:
Are you accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education?
If yes,
Please review the information on this website and do a preliminary consultation with HPEAP ([email protected]). You should allow at least 90 days for your application to be reviewed. You should not be enrolling students in a new program to be held in Hawaii until you obtain approval.
If no,
You must be in compliance with the provisions of HRS Chapter 446E. Please visit https://cca.hawaii.gov/ocp/udgi/ and consult with the Office of Consumer Protection ([email protected]). If you are in compliance with HRS Chapter 446E and have begun the accreditation process with an accrediting agency, you may consult with HPEAP about obtaining provisional authorization.
What does “physical presence in the State” mean? “Physical presence” is defined as:
- Having a physical location in the State, where students receive synchronous or asynchronous instruction; or
- Establishing an administrative office in the State to:
- Provide information or to enroll students
- Provide services to enrolled students
- Provide office space for instructional and non-instructional staff; and
- Maintain an institutional mailing address, street address, or telephone number in the State
Please see Hawaii Administrative Rules Section 16-255-2 for further guidance on physical presence.
Who We Are
About Us
The Hawaii Post-Secondary Education Authorization Program (HPEAP) operates within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 305J.
Schools that meet the physical presence definition of the chapter and that are not exempt must seek and obtain state authorization.
The purpose of the chapter is to meet the requirements for state authorization under Title IV of the Higher Education Act.
Director's Welcome
Aloha,
The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) is the state department that oversees the Hawaiʻi Post-Secondary Education Authorization Program (HPEAP). HPEAP was created in 2013 by Act 180, now codified as Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes Chapter 305J, to provide regulatory oversight of accredited, degree-granting, post-secondary educational institutions that have a physical presence in the State. The purpose of the law is to meet the requirements for state authorization under Title IV of the Higher Education Act.
Please check our website for all the information institutions need regarding state authorization, including forms for application.
DCCA strives to protect the interests of the residents of this great state and improve the business climate for our licensees. We look forward to working with the educational institutions and their students.