The U.S. Department of Education issued a pair of rule changes clarifying who can apply to become a recognized college accreditor and how quickly the department will act. Under the new language, aspiring agencies must have performed “accrediting activities” for at least two years and the Education Department says it will complete recognition reviews in less than a year. The administration frames the move as a push to modernize accreditation and increase competition among regulators; critics warn the changes could prompt institutions to “shop” for friendlier accreditors and weaken quality assurance. Under Secretary Nicholas Kent led the rollout, and legal and higher‑ed observers say institutions and legacy accreditors will watch the first recognition petitions closely as any early approvals will set precedent.