Accreditation guide
What COE accreditation means
The Council on Occupational Education accredits postsecondary institutions focused on occupational, career, and technical education. COE accreditation is separate from the Texas license a cosmetology school needs to operate.
01 / Definition
COE is an institutional accreditor
COE accredits postsecondary occupational institutions that offer credentials such as certificates, diplomas, and applied associate degrees. The U.S. Department of Education recognizes COE for this institutional accreditation work.
02 / Meaning
Accreditation adds a separate layer of institutional review
An accredited institution has completed COE's review process and received accreditation through action of its commission. COE evaluates the institution against its standards for occupational education; candidate status is a step in the process and does not mean the institution is accredited.
03 / Limits
Accreditation is not a Texas school license
Texas licensing determines whether a cosmetology school may operate in the state. COE accreditation is a separate institutional status. It does not by itself confirm current tuition, class availability, credit transfer, individual student outcomes, or federal-aid eligibility.
04 / Verification
Check the exact institution in COE's directory
Accreditation can change and may apply to a particular institution or location. Confirm the school's name, address, and accredited status in COE's official member directory; do not treat candidate status as accreditation.