National accreditation agencies recognize institutions across the U.S. and some schools abroad.
Regional accreditation agencies cover specific regions within the U.S. The regions are the Middle States, New England, North Central, Northwest, Southern and Western.
The U.S. Secretary of Education recognizes both national and regional accreditation agencies. They perform the same functions, such as establishing program standards, setting goals for improvement and determining criteria for professional licenses and related courses.
Regional agencies formed from higher education institutions in geographic proximity to each other banding together. National agencies, on the other hand, started from higher education institutions with similar programs or interests banding together.
Credits may not be transferable between institutions accredited by different agencies.