On Education Quality Development

Law of Georgia

On Education Quality Development

Article 1. Purpose of the Law🔗

The purpose of this Law is to define the legal grounds for mechanisms promoting education quality development.

Article 2. Mechanisms for Promoting Education Quality Development🔗

1. The promotion of education quality development is carried out through internal and external mechanisms.

2. The external mechanisms for promoting education quality development are authorization and accreditation.

3. The internal mechanisms for promoting education quality development are implemented by an educational institution, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.

Article 2¹. Definition of Terms🔗

1. The terms used in this Law, for the purposes of this Law, as well as for the general education, vocational education and higher education system, have the following meaning:

a) National Qualifications Framework − an instrument that classifies qualifications according to learning outcomes for the purpose of integrating and coordinating the education subsystems (general education, vocational education, higher education, non-formal education), as well as improving the quality of qualifications, transparency, accessibility and development, taking into account the interests of the labour market and society;

b) Qualification − the formal result of the assessment and confirmation by the authorised institution(s) of the achievement of a learning outcome, which is confirmed by a certificate recognised by the State, a State document certifying higher or vocational education – a diploma, or a State document certifying general education;

c) Learning outcome − a statement about the "knowledge and awareness" (the result of assimilation of information, facts, principles, theories, theoretical and practical methods related to the field of study or activity), "ability" (the possibility of using relevant knowledge to perform a specific task and solve problems) and/or "responsibility and autonomy" (the use by a person of knowledge and skills with an appropriate degree of independence and values) to be achieved by the person;

d) Classifier of fields of study − an instrument that classifies the fields of study existing in Georgia and links the corresponding qualifications to them;

e) Formal education − part of the lifelong learning system that implies the acquisition of "knowledge and awareness", "ability" and/or "responsibility and autonomy" within the framework of an educational programme conferring a qualification;

f) Non-formal education − part of the lifelong learning system that implies the acquisition of "knowledge and awareness", "ability" and/or "responsibility and autonomy" outside formal education;

g) Cluster of higher educational programmes − for the purposes of the accreditation process of higher educational programmes, educational programmes classified according to the National Qualifications Framework and the Classifier of Fields of Study, grouped by content (programme content, learning objectives and outcomes) (except the joint higher educational programme provided for by subparagraph "gg48" of Article 2 of the Law of Georgia "On Higher Education" and the regulated academic higher educational programme provided for by subparagraph "b" of paragraph 2 of Article 75 of the same Law). The rules and conditions for grouping educational programmes into a cluster are determined by the Regulation on Accreditation of Educational Programmes of Higher Educational Institutions (hereinafter – the Accreditation Regulation);

h) Coordination Council − a collegial body established for a term of 4 years, to ensure the participation of interested parties in the management of the Legal Entity of Public Law – National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement, which falls within the governance sphere of the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia, in its activities and in the development of mechanisms for ensuring education quality. The procedure for the establishment and operation of the Coordination Council shall be determined by the charter of the Legal Entity of Public Law − National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement.

2. Other terms used in this Law that are not defined in the first paragraph of this Article shall have the meaning determined by the legislation of Georgia.

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3437 – website, 05.10.2018.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2022 No. 1429 – website, 24.03.2022.

Law of Georgia of 30 March 2022 No. 1464 – website, 06.04.2022.

Law of Georgia of 27 June 2024 No. 4366 – website, 03.07.2024.

Article 3. National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement🔗

1. For the purpose of promoting the development of education quality, a Legal Entity of Public Law – the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (hereinafter – the Center) – is established, falling within the governance sphere of the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia (hereinafter – the Ministry).

2. The Center is independent in its activities. It carries out its work in compliance with the principles of publicity and transparency, in accordance with the Constitution of Georgia, international treaties and agreements of Georgia, this Law, other legislative acts, the regulation of the Center approved by the Ministry, and other legal acts.

3. In connection with the Center's activities, the Ministry, in the manner established by the legislation of Georgia:

a) approves the regulation of the Center;

b) approves the regulation on authorization of educational institutions (hereinafter – the authorization regulation) and the fee;

c) approves the accreditation regulation and the accreditation fee;

d) approves the rules and fees for the verification of the authenticity of educational documents issued in Georgia and the recognition of education received abroad; is entitled to establish, for administrative proceedings related to the verification of the authenticity of educational documents issued in Georgia and the recognition of education received abroad, time limits different from those provided for by the General Administrative Code of Georgia;

e) (removed - 20.09.2018, No. 3445);

e¹) approves the fee for the verification of the linguistic correctness of a strict accounting document − the state document certifying education;

f) determines the time limits for services rendered by the Center and/or the fee for these services;

g) exercises other powers provided for by the legislation of Georgia.

Law of Georgia of 17 June 2011 No. 4790 - website, 28.06.2011.

Law of Georgia of 25 November 2011 No. 5348 - website, 06.12.2011.

Law of Georgia of 20 March 2013 No. 347 – website, 29.03.2013.

Law of Georgia of 19 February 2016 No. 4784 - website, 07.03.2016.

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3028 - website, 11.07.2018.

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3445 – website, 09.10.2018.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 350 – website, 18.03.2021.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2022 No. 1429 – website, 24.03.2022.

Law of Georgia of 30 November 2023 No. 3836 – website, 15.12.2023.

Article 4. Legal status of the Center🔗

1. The Center is a Legal Entity of Public Law established by this Law and falling within the sphere of governance of the Ministry.

2. The Center is headed by a Director, who is appointed to the position for a term of 5 years by the Prime Minister of Georgia upon the nomination of the Minister of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia (hereinafter – the Minister).

2¹. The Director of the Center is dismissed from the position by the Prime Minister of Georgia upon the nomination of the Minister.

2². The members of the Coordination Council participate, in accordance with the procedure established by the Charter of the Center, in the selection of the candidate for the Director of the Center and in his/her dismissal from the position.

2³. The grounds for early termination of the powers of the Director of the Center are:

a) personal application;

b) loss of Georgian citizenship;

c) entry into legal force of a court judgment of conviction against him/her;

d) death;

e) delivery by a court of a judgment that makes it impossible for him/her to exercise his/her powers;

f) gross violation of an obligation defined by the powers of the Director of the Center and/or causing substantial damage to the activities of the Center.

2⁴. The Director of the Center may not simultaneously be an employee or hold a position in the executive authority of Georgia.

3. The rights and obligations of the Director of the Center, the structure of the Center and the competence of the structural units shall be determined by the Charter of the Center.

4. State control of the Center shall be exercised by the Ministry in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.

5. The activities of the Center shall not be subject to the operation of Articles 10¹ and 10² of the Law of Georgia "On Legal Entities of Public Law".

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3028 – website, 11.07.2018.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 350 – website, 18.03.2021.

Law of Georgia of 30 November 2023 No. 3836 – website, 15.12.2023.

Law of Georgia of 27 June 2024 No. 4366 – website, 03.07.2024.

Law of Georgia of 1 April 2025 No. 403 – website, 03.04.2025.

Article 5. Main directions of the Centre's activity🔗

1. The Centre, within the scope of its competence:

a) promotes the improvement of the quality of education, for which purpose it develops recommendations;

b) carries out authorisation of higher educational institutions (except for the Legal Entity of Public Law – Kutaisi International University (hereinafter – Kutaisi International University)) and accreditation of their educational programmes;

b¹) carries out authorisation of professional educational institutions;

b²) in accordance with the rule and procedures established by the authorisation regulation and the accreditation regulation, carries out institutional evaluation of higher educational institutions operating abroad and evaluation of their educational programmes;

b³) carries out authorisation of general educational institutions;

c) ensures confirmation of the authenticity of educational documents issued in Georgia;

d) carries out recognition of education obtained abroad;

e) (removed – 20.09.2018, No. 3445);

f) verifies the linguistic correctness of a strict accounting document − the state document certifying education;

g) exercises other powers provided for by the Centre's regulation.

2. In order to ensure apostille certification/legalisation of documents issued by the Ministry and the bodies within its system, as well as documents issued by educational institutions within the scope of their powers, the Centre provides the necessary information to the Legal Entity of Public Law operating in the field of governance of the Ministry of Justice of Georgia – the State Services Development Agency. The rule for requesting and providing the information necessary to ensure apostille certification/legalisation of documents issued by the Ministry and the bodies within its system, as well as documents issued by educational institutions within the scope of their powers, shall be approved by a joint order of the Minister and the Minister of Justice of Georgia.

3. The amount of fees for services rendered in connection with apostille certification/legalisation of documents issued by the Ministry and the bodies within its system, as well as documents issued by educational institutions within the scope of their powers, and the rule for payment of the fee and refund of the paid fee shall be determined by a Resolution of the Government of Georgia.

Law of Georgia of 27 April 2016 No. 5022 - website, 13.05.2016.

Law of Georgia of 5 July 2018 No. 3028 - website, 11.07.2018.

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3445 – website, 09.10.2018.

Law of Georgia of 1 November 2019 No. 5278 – website, 04.11.2019.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 350 – website, 18.03.2021.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2022 No. 1429 – website, 24.03.2022.

Law of Georgia of 30 March 2022 No. 1464 – website, 06.04.2022.

Law of Georgia of 15 May 2024 No. 4161 – website, 21.05.2024.

Article 6. Property and Financing of the Centre🔗

1. For the implementation of its own goals and the performance of its functions, the Centre has property, the rule for the formation of which is determined by the legislation of Georgia.

2. The property of the Centre consists of fixed and current assets, as well as other material valuables and financial resources, which are reflected on the Centre's independent balance sheet.

3. The sources of financing of the Centre are:

a) targeted funds allocated from the State Budget of Georgia;

b) fees for services rendered by the Centre;

c) targeted credits and grants;

d) income received from work performed on the basis of a contract;

e) income received in the form of gifts and donations;

f) other income permitted by the legislation of Georgia.

4. The funds and income provided for by paragraph 3 of this Article shall be fully used for the implementation of the goals and the performance of the functions of the Centre.

Article 7. Purpose and Content of Authorisation. Authorisation Standards🔗

1. Authorisation is a procedure for obtaining the status of an educational institution, the purpose of which is to ensure compliance with the standards necessary for carrying out the relevant activity for the issuance of a document confirming education recognised by the State.

2. The authorisation standards of a general education institution concern:

a) the school's philosophy;

b) the school curriculum;

c) administrative and infrastructural support of the teaching process;

d) support for pupils.

2¹. The authorisation standards of a higher education institution concern:

a) the mission and strategic development of the higher education institution;

b) the organisational structure and governance of the higher education institution;

c) educational programmes;

d) the personnel of the higher education institution;

e) students and measures for their support;

f) research, development and/or other creative activity;

g) material, information and financial resources.

2². The authorisation standards of vocational education institutions concern:

a) the mission and strategic development of the vocational education institution;

b) educational programmes;

c) vocational students and measures for their support;

d) human resources;

e) material, information and financial resources.

3. The conditions for compliance with the authorisation standards and the authorisation procedure are determined by the authorisation regulation.

4. For a general education institution founded by the State or with its participation, including a general education institution provided for by Article 27 of the Law of Georgia on General Education, the Ministry may determine different authorisation conditions by the authorisation regulation.

Law of Georgia of 19 February 2016 No. 4784 – website, 07.03.2016.

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3445 – website, 09.10.2018.

Law of Georgia of 30 March 2022 No. 1464 – website, 06.04.2022.

Article 8. Institutions Subject to Authorization🔗

1. The institutions subject to authorization are (hereinafter – the status applicant):

a) the status applicant for a general education institution;

b) the status applicant for a vocational education institution;

c) the status applicant for a higher education institution.

1¹. Kutaisi International University shall obtain authorization in accordance with the Law of Georgia “On the Establishment of the Legal Entity of Public Law – Kutaisi International University”.

2. The status applicant shall indicate in the authorization application that, in the event of obtaining authorization, it will implement:

a) the educational program of the primary general education level;

b) the educational program of the basic general education level;

c) the educational program of the secondary general education level;

d) the basic vocational education program;

d¹) the secondary vocational education program;

d²) the higher vocational education program;

d³) the short-cycle educational program;

e) the bachelor's educational program;

e¹) (removed - 4 February 2026, No. 1355).

f) the master's educational program;

g) the doctoral educational program;

h) another educational program for the implementation of which mandatory accreditation is established by the legislation of Georgia, as well as those educational programs to which the issuance of a document confirming education recognized by the State is related.

3. A general education institution, a vocational education institution shall be entitled to implement only the educational program(s) indicated in the authorization application, as well as the educational program that this educational institution added during the period of validity of the authorization in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.

3¹. A higher education institution shall be entitled to implement only accredited higher education program(s) and the educational program for training in the Georgian language.

4. Authorization shall not apply to:

a) an entity that carries out such educational activity:

a.a) which is not accompanied by the issuance of a document confirming qualification;

a.b) which is not part of an educational program conferring a qualification;

a.c) which is neither directly nor indirectly related to an educational program conferring a qualification and has an independent learning outcome;

a.d) which does not end with the conferral of a qualification;

b) individual educational activity of a natural person, including in the field of vocational training.

5. An institution that has acquired the status of a general education institution, a vocational education institution or a higher education institution without the creation of another, independent legal entity shall not be entitled to acquire the status of another educational institution. A general education institution shall be entitled, without the creation of an independent legal entity, where it has acquired the relevant right, to implement only the state language training programme, basic vocational education programmes, secondary vocational education programmes, vocational training programmes and/or vocational retraining programmes. A higher education institution shall be entitled, without the creation of an independent legal entity, where it has acquired the relevant right, to implement vocational education programmes of any type, short-cycle education programmes, the state language training programme, vocational training programmes and/or vocational retraining programmes. Decisions on these matters shall be taken by the relevant councils: the Council for Authorisation of Vocational Education Institutions, the Council Granting the Right to Implement the State Language Training Programme and the Council Granting the Right to Implement a Vocational Training/Vocational Retraining Programme.

5¹. An institution that has acquired the status of a higher education institution shall be entitled to found a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity for the purpose of implementing vocational education programmes and/or short-cycle education programmes.

6. Failure to comply with the requirements of paragraphs 3 and 5 of this Article may become grounds for revocation of authorisation.

Law of Georgia of 20 March 2013 No. 347 – website, 29.03.2013.

Law of Georgia of 25 November 2015 No. 4559 – website, 08.12.2015.

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4585 – website, 10.12.2015.

Law of Georgia of 26 July 2017 No. 1224 – website, 28.07.2017.

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3445 – website, 09.10.2018.

Law of Georgia of 1 November 2019 No. 5278 – website, 04.11.2019.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2022 No. 1429 – website, 24.03.2022.

Law of Georgia of 28 June 2023 No. 3304 – website, 17.07.2023.

Law of Georgia of 4 February 2026 No. 1355 – website, 05.02.2026.

Article 9. Self-assessment of the status applicant🔗

The first stage of the authorisation process is the conduct by the status applicant of a self-assessment in accordance with the form pre-established by the Centre for the status applicant.

Law of Georgia of 30 March 2022 No. 1464 – website, 06.04.2022.

Article 10. Authorization Expert Group🔗

To ensure the conduct of authorization for general education, vocational and higher education institutions, the Center shall create, respectively, authorization expert groups for general education, vocational and higher education institutions, the procedure for the creation and activity of which shall be determined by the Authorization Regulation. The status seeker shall be entitled, in accordance with the procedure established by the Authorization Regulation, to exercise the right to challenge experts.

Law of Georgia of 20 March 2013 No. 347 – website, 29 March 2013.

Article 11. Decision on Authorization🔗

1. Decisions on the authorization of general education, vocational and higher education institutions shall be adopted by the respective Authorization Councils of general education, vocational and higher education institutions (hereinafter – Authorization Councils). Members of the Authorization Councils shall be appointed and dismissed by the Prime Minister of Georgia on the recommendation of the Ministry. Members of the Authorization Councils may not be civil servants, except for the case provided for by paragraph 1² of this Article. The powers and rules of activity of the Authorization Councils shall be determined by the Authorization Regulation, which guarantees their functional independence from educational institutions and state bodies.

1¹. The Higher Education Institutions Authorization Council shall consist of permanent members and invited members. Invited members shall participate in the activities of the Higher Education Institutions Authorization Council only in the case when the authorization application submitted by an applicant for higher education institution status indicates a regulated academic higher education program provided for by subparagraph "b" of paragraph 2 of Article 75 of the Law of Georgia "On Higher Education". Invited members of the Higher Education Institutions Authorization Council shall have the right to vote.

1². Invited members of the Higher Education Institutions Authorization Council shall be appointed and dismissed by the Prime Minister of Georgia on the recommendation of the Ministry. When selecting candidates for invited members of the Higher Education Institutions Authorization Council, the Ministry shall be guided by the requirements and criteria established by the World Federation for Medical Education in relation to the composition of the Council.

2. The Authorization Councils, on the basis of the authorization documentation and the conclusion of the relevant authorization expert group, shall adopt one of the following decisions:

a) on authorization;

b) on refusal of authorization;

c) on revocation of authorization;

d) on deprivation of the right to implement a vocational education program/programs;

e) on deprivation of the right to implement a general education program/programs for a general education institution founded in the form of a legal entity of private law;

f) on applying to the Ministry with a petition regarding the expediency of the functioning of a general education institution founded by the state or with its participation / of a general education program of a general education institution founded by the state or with its participation.

2¹. The Council for Authorization of Higher Education Institutions shall be entitled, within the framework of the process of authorization of a higher education institution or the process of verification of the fulfilment of the authorization conditions by a higher education institution, to adopt a decision on restricting the right of the higher education institution to admit students/professional students for a period of not less than 1 year, both in respect of the higher education institution as a whole and by individual levels of higher education. The procedure and conditions for adopting this decision, as well as the maximum period of restriction of the right of a higher education institution to admit students/professional students, shall be determined by the Regulation on Authorization of Educational Institutions.

2². If the decision provided for by subparagraph „b“ or „c“ of paragraph 2 of this Article is adopted during the academic year, the Council for Authorization of General Education/Higher Education Institutions shall be entitled, taking into account the application of the respective educational institution and the legitimate interests of pupils/students, for the purpose of continuity of the educational process, notwithstanding the remaining period of authorization, by an appropriate decision, to have the pupils/students complete the current academic year at the respective educational institution and to indicate as the date of entry into force of the decision on revocation of authorization or on refusal of re-authorization a date not later than the date of completion of the current academic year.

2³. The Council for Authorization of General Education Institutions shall be entitled, in the event of the occurrence of the circumstance of revocation of authorization/refusal of authorization of a general education institution founded by the State or with its participation/revocation of a general education program of a general education institution founded by the State or with its participation, to apply to the Ministry with an application on the expediency of the functioning of the general education institution/general education program.

3. The authorization councils shall be obliged to substantiate the decisions adopted by them.

4. A decision on authorization or a decision on refusal of authorization shall be adopted within 180 calendar days from the official submission to the Centre of the document confirming payment of the authorization fee.

5. The decision provided for by paragraph 2 of this Article shall be published on the website of the Centre within 10 working days from its adoption.

6. The deadlines for submitting an authorization application to the Centre shall provide the possibility of continuity of the status of the educational institution. The Legal Entity of Public Law − the Education Management Information System shall be obliged to notify the educational institution of the expiry of the authorization period not earlier than 1 year and not later than 9 months before the expiry of the authorization period.

Law of Georgia of 20 March 2013 No. 347 – website, 29.03.2013.

Law of Georgia of 19 February 2016 No. 4784 - website, 07.03.2016.

Law of Georgia of 23 December 2017 No. 1933 – website, 11.01.2018.

Law of Georgia of 12 June 2020 No. 6284 – website, 15.06.2020.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2022 No. 1429 – website, 24.03.2022.

Law of Georgia of 30 March 2022 No. 1464 – website, 06.04.2022.

Law of Georgia of 27 June 2024 No. 4300 – website, 04.07.2024.

Article 12. Decision on authorisation🔗

1. A decision on authorisation shall be made if the educational institution meets all authorisation standards.

2. The term of authorisation of a higher educational institution and a vocational educational institution shall be 6 years, and the term of authorisation of a general educational institution − 9 years.

3. When making a decision on authorisation, the authorisation councils shall determine, for the respective educational institution, in accordance with the procedure established by the authorisation regulation, the maximum number of places for pupils, vocational students and students during the term of authorisation.

Law of Georgia of 20 March 2013 No. 347 – website, 29.03.2013.

Law of Georgia of 19 February 2016 No. 4784 - website, 07.03.2016.

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3437 – website, 05.10.2018.

Law of Georgia of 15 December 2023 No. 3960 – website, 25.12.2023.

Article 13. Legal consequence of authorisation🔗

1. As a result of authorisation, a general educational institution and a vocational educational institution shall be entitled, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia, to admit pupils and vocational students and to issue a document confirming qualification.

2. As a result of authorisation, a higher educational institution shall be entitled, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia, to admit students to an accredited higher educational programme and to an educational programme of preparation in the Georgian language and to issue a document confirming qualification, except for the case provided for by paragraph 2¹ of Article 11 of this Law.

3. In the case provided for by paragraph 2³ of Article 11 of this Law, when the Ministry makes a decision on the expediency of the functioning of a general educational institution/general educational programme, the general educational institution/general educational programme shall continue to function for the remaining term of authorisation.

Law of Georgia of 23 December 2017 No. 1933 – website, 11.01.2018.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2022 No. 1429 – website, 24.03.2022.

Law of Georgia of 30 March 2022 No. 1464 – website, 06.04.2022.

Article 14. Decision on refusal of authorisation🔗

A decision on refusal of authorisation shall be made if the educational institution does not meet one of the authorisation standards, except for the case provided for by paragraph 2³ of Article 11 of this Law.

Law of Georgia of 30 March 2022 No. 1464 – website, 06.04.2022.

Article 15. Verification of Authorization Conditions and Revocation of Authorization🔗

1. The Center monitors an educational institution's compliance with the authorization conditions. In the event of detection of non-compliance with the authorization standard, the authorization councils are authorized to set for the relevant educational institution a period of not more than 60 days for remedying the defect, except for the case where it is obvious that this will not produce a result.

2. The authorization conditions shall be verified by submitting a self-assessment report to the Center, as well as on the initiative of the Center.

2¹. A self-assessment report of a higher educational institution shall be submitted to the Center at least once every 3 years. The deadlines for submitting a self-assessment report of a higher educational institution to the Center shall be determined by an individual administrative-legal act of the Director of the Center.

2². A general educational institution and a vocational educational institution shall conduct a self-assessment in accordance with the procedure established by the Authorization Regulation.

3. The authorization councils are authorized, based on the results of a verification of the relevant educational institution, to adopt a decision on the revocation of authorization if the educational institution violates the authorization standard or the norms of Georgian legislation in the field of education in connection with the emergence, suspension or termination of the status of a pupil, vocational student or student of the educational institution, except for the case provided for by paragraph 2³ of Article 11 of this Law.

3¹. If, during the verification of the fulfillment of the authorization conditions, it is revealed that any of two or more vocational educational programs being implemented does not comply with the standard provided for by subparagraph 'b' of paragraph 2² of Article 7 of this Law, the Authorization Council of Vocational Educational Institutions is authorized, instead of a decision on the revocation of authorization, to adopt a decision on the deprivation of the right to implement the relevant vocational educational program/programs.

3². If, during the verification of the fulfillment of the authorization conditions, it is revealed that any of two or more general educational programs implemented by a general educational institution does not comply with the authorization standard provided for by subparagraph 'b' of paragraph 2 of Article 7 of this Law, the Authorization Council of General Educational Institutions is authorized, instead of a decision on the revocation of authorization, to adopt a decision on the deprivation of the right of the general educational institution to implement the relevant general educational program/programs, except for the case provided for by paragraph 2³ of Article 11 of this Law.

4. The decision on the revocation of authorization and the decision on applying to the Ministry by petition provided for by paragraph 2³ of Article 11 of this Law shall be adopted within 90 calendar days from the issuance of the order of the Director of the Center on the verification of the fulfillment of the authorization conditions by the educational institution. The running of this period shall be deemed suspended during the period determined by the authorization councils for the respective educational institution to correct the defect.

Law of Georgia No. 5348 of 25 November 2011 – website, 06.12.2011.

Law of Georgia No. 347 of 20 March 2013 – website, 29.03.2013.

Law of Georgia No. 4784 of 19 February 2016 – website, 07.03.2016.

Law of Georgia No. 1224 of 26 July 2017 – website, 28.07.2017.

Law of Georgia No. 6284 of 12 June 2020 – website, 15.06.2020.

Law of Georgia No. 1464 of 30 March 2022 – website, 06.04.2022.

Article 16. Legal consequences of refusal of authorization, revocation of authorization or expiration of authorization🔗

1. In the event of refusal of authorization or revocation of authorization:

a) the institution shall be unable to acquire or shall lose the status of an educational institution from the date of entry into force of the respective decision;

b) the educational institution, in accordance with paragraph 2² of Article 11 of this Law, continues educational activities within the term established by the Authorization Council, within the framework of which its right to admit pupils/students/vocational students/entrants/candidates for master's studies/candidates for doctoral studies/applicants is restricted;

c) a pupil/student has the right, in accordance with paragraph 2² of Article 11 of this Law, to continue studies for the term established by the Authorization Council in the same educational institution or to transfer to another appropriate educational institution;

d) for a student, in accordance with paragraph 2² of Article 11 of this Law, after the expiry of the term established by the Authorization Council (if such a term exists), within 5 years from the entry into force of the Authorization Council's decision on refusal of authorization or revocation of authorization, the student's status is suspended and he/she is entitled to exercise the right of mobility;

e) for a vocational student, within 5 years from the entry into force of the Authorization Council's decision on refusal of authorization, revocation of authorization or deprivation of the right to implement a vocational educational program/programs, the vocational student's status is suspended and he/she is entitled to exercise the right of mobility;

f) an entrant who has successfully passed the Unified National Examinations and, according to the ranking document approved by the Legal Entity of Public Law – National Assessment and Examinations Center, has acquired the right to enroll in a higher educational institution, is entitled to exercise the right of mobility;

g) a candidate for master's studies who has been included in the ranking document based on the coefficients of the master's examinations is entitled to exercise the right of mobility;

h) an applicant who has acquired the right to enroll in an educational institution implementing the relevant vocational educational program is entitled to exercise the right of mobility.

2. In the event of adoption of a decision on refusal of authorization or a decision on revocation of authorization, a legal entity is entitled, in order to obtain the same status of an educational institution, to submit an authorization application to the Center 1 year after the adoption of the decision on refusal of authorization or the decision on revocation of authorization.

3. If the authorization application was submitted to the Center in compliance with the deadlines for submitting an authorization application determined by the authorization regulation, and the Director of the Center issued an individual administrative-legal act on the establishment of the relevant group of authorization experts, before the entry into force of the decision provided for by subparagraph „a“ or „b“ of paragraph 2 of Article 11 of this Law, adopted by the relevant authorization council, the status seeker shall be considered an authorized educational institution for 180 calendar days from the expiry of the authorization period.

4. The rule and conditions for considering a status seeker an authorized educational institution shall be determined by the authorization regulation.

Law of Georgia of 19 February 2016 No. 4784 – website, 07.03.2016.

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3445 – website, 09.10.2018.

Law of Georgia of 12 June 2020 No. 6284 – website, 15.06.2020.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2022 No. 1429 – website, 24.03.2022.

Law of Georgia of 9 December 2025 No. 1162 – website, 12.12.2025.

Article 16¹. Addition of an educational programme🔗

1. An educational institution is entitled, by an application on the addition of an educational programme submitted to the Center, to add a vocational educational programme/programmes, a general educational programme/programmes, a short-cycle educational programme/programmes.

1¹. Only an authorized general educational institution shall have the right to submit an application on the addition of a general educational programme/programmes.

2. The form of the application on the addition of an educational programme to be submitted to the Center shall be approved by an individual administrative-legal act of the Director of the Center.

3. The rule, conditions and fee for the addition of an educational programme shall be determined by the authorization regulation.

4. The decision on the addition of an educational programme or the decision on refusal to add an educational programme shall be adopted within 90 calendar days from the submission to the Center of the application on the addition of an educational programme.

Law of Georgia of 26 July 2017 No. 1224 – website, 28.07.2017.

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3445 – website, 09.10.2018.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2022 No. 1429 – website, 24.03.2022.

Law of Georgia of 30 March 2022 No. 1464 – website, 06.04.2022.

Law of Georgia of 28 June 2023 No. 3304 – website, 17.07.2023.

Article 16². Increase in the number of pupil, vocational student and student places🔗

1. An educational institution shall be entitled to submit to the Centre a written application on the increase in the number of pupil, vocational student and student places.

2. The form of the written application on the increase in the number of pupil, vocational student and student places to be submitted to the Centre shall be approved by an individual administrative-legal act of the Director of the Centre.

3. The rule, conditions and fee for the increase in the number of pupil, vocational student and student places shall be determined by the authorisation regulation.

4. The decision on the increase in the number of pupil, vocational student and student places or the decision on refusal to increase the number of pupil, vocational student and student places shall be taken within 90 calendar days from the submission to the Centre of the written application on the increase in the number of pupil, vocational student and student places.

Law of Georgia of 26 July 2017 No. 1224 – website, 28.07.2017.

Article 17. Purpose and content of accreditation🔗

1. The purpose of accreditation is, by determining the compliance of the educational programmes of an educational institution (except for general education programmes, vocational education programmes and short-cycle educational programmes) with the accreditation standards, to establish systematic self-evaluation of the educational institution for raising the quality of education and to promote the development of quality assurance mechanisms.

2. (Removed - 10.12.2025, No. 1199).

3. The implementation of a higher education programme (except for the Orthodox theological higher education programme of an Orthodox theological educational institution) and of an educational programme for training in the Georgian language shall be possible only if it has undergone accreditation.

4. The educational programmes of Kutaisi International University undergo accreditation in accordance with the Law of Georgia "On the Establishment of the Legal Entity of Public Law – Kutaisi International University".

5. The implementation of a joint higher education programme shall be possible if it has undergone accreditation. Accreditation of a joint higher education programme shall be carried out in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.

6. (Removed - 26.07.2017, No. 1224).

Law of Georgia of 28 December 2012 No. 188 - website, 29.12.2012.

Law of Georgia of 25 November 2015 No. 4559 - website, 08.12.2015.

Law of Georgia of 27 November 2015 No. 4585 - website, 10.12.2015.

Law of Georgia of 26 July 2017 No. 1224 - website, 28.07.2017.

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3445 – website, 09.10.2018.

Law of Georgia of 1 November 2019 No. 5278 – website, 04.11.2019.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2022 No. 1429 – website, 24.03.2022.

Law of Georgia of 30 March 2022 No. 1464 – website, 06.04.2022.

Law of Georgia of 10 December 2025 No. 1199 – website, 16.12.2025.

Article 18. Accreditation standards🔗

The accreditation standards are:

a) the purpose of the educational programme, the learning outcomes and the compliance of the programme with them;

b) the methodology and organisation of teaching, the adequacy of the assessment of the mastering of the programme;

c) the achievements of students, individual work with them;

d) provision with teaching resources;

e) opportunities for the development of the quality of teaching.

Law of Georgia of 30 March 2022 No. 1464 – website, 06.04.2022.

Article 19. Conduct of Accreditation🔗

1. The conduct of accreditation shall be ensured by the Centre.

2. For the purpose of taking a decision on accreditation, an Educational Programmes Accreditation Council (hereinafter – the Accreditation Council) shall be established, which shall consist of permanent members and invited members. A public civil servant may not be a member of the Accreditation Council, except in the case provided for by paragraph 2² of this Article. The powers and the rules of procedure of the Accreditation Council shall be determined by the Accreditation Regulation, which guarantees its functional independence from educational institutions and state bodies.

2¹. The invited members of the Accreditation Council shall participate in its activities only where the accreditation application submitted by a higher educational institution indicates a regulated academic higher educational programme provided for by subparagraph „b“ of paragraph 2 of Article 75 of the Law of Georgia on Higher Education. The invited members of the Accreditation Council shall have the right to vote.

2². The permanent members and invited members of the Accreditation Council shall be appointed and dismissed by the Prime Minister of Georgia upon the nomination of the Ministry. When selecting candidates for the invited members of the Accreditation Council, the Ministry shall be guided by the requirements and criteria established by the World Federation for Medical Education in relation to the staffing of the Accreditation Council.

3. The accreditation of higher educational programmes, including a joint higher educational programme, may be carried out by a foreign organisation with relevant competence recognised by the Centre. Recognition shall be carried out in accordance with the procedure established by the Accreditation Regulation.

Law of Georgia of 19 February 2016 No. 4784 - website, 07.03.2016.

Law of Georgia of 26 July 2017 No. 1224 - website, 28.07.2017.

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3437 – website, 05.10.2018.

Article 20. Conduct of Self-Evaluation by the Accreditation Applicant and Determination of the Compliance of Documentation with the Relevant Requirements🔗

1. The first stage of the accreditation process shall be the conduct of self-evaluation by the accreditation applicant in accordance with the form preliminarily provided to the accreditation applicant by the Centre.

2. Within 7 working days, the Centre shall verify the self-evaluation submitted by the accreditation applicant for educational programmes within the cluster of higher educational programmes and the compliance of the documentation attached thereto with the requirements established by the Accreditation Regulation.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2022 No. 1429 – website, 24.03.2022.

Article 21. Accreditation Expert Group🔗

In order to ensure the conduct of accreditation, the Centre shall create an accreditation expert group, the rules for the creation and operation of which shall be determined by the Accreditation Regulation.

Article 22. Decision on accreditation🔗

1. A decision on accreditation of an educational programme of an educational institution (except for a general education programme, a vocational educational programme and a short-cycle educational programme) shall be made by the Accreditation Council in accordance with the accreditation regulation, including on the basis of the conclusion of the group of accreditation experts, in the manner established by the legislation of Georgia.

2. A decision on accreditation may be of 4 types:

a) on accreditation;

b) on conditional accreditation;

c) on refusal of accreditation;

d) on revocation of accreditation.

3. The term of accreditation of an educational programme shall be 7 years. An educational programme that was submitted to the Centre for accreditation during the calendar year when educational programmes classified in the field of study of the said educational programme do not have to undergo re-accreditation shall be granted accreditation until the next accreditation term of the educational programmes classified in the field of study of this educational programme.

4. With respect to a regulated academic higher educational programme provided for by subparagraph „b“ of paragraph 2 of Article 75 of the Law of Georgia "On Higher Education", when making a decision provided for by subparagraph „a“ or „b“ of paragraph 2 of this Article, the Accreditation Council shall, within the maximum number of student places established for the higher educational institution, determine, in the manner established by the accreditation regulation, the maximum number of student places during the accreditation term.

5. The term of conditional accreditation of an educational programme shall be not more than 4 years. An educational programme that was submitted to the Centre for accreditation during the calendar year when educational programmes classified in the field of study of the said educational programme do not have to undergo re-accreditation shall be granted conditional accreditation until the next accreditation term of the educational programmes classified in the field of study of this educational programme, but not more than 4 years.

6. A decision on conditional accreditation of an educational programme may not be made twice in a row.

7. In the event of expiry of the authorization term or revocation of authorization, accreditation shall be revoked.

8. In the case of the first and each subsequent accreditation of an educational programme, a decision on accreditation shall be made in the manner established by the accreditation regulation, if the educational programme fully and/or for the most part meets the accreditation standards.

9. In the case of the first and each subsequent accreditation of an educational programme, a decision on conditional accreditation shall be made in the manner established by the accreditation regulation, if the educational programme partially meets the accreditation standard.

10. A decision on accreditation shall be made within 180 calendar days from the official submission to the Centre of a document confirming payment of the accreditation fee.

11. If a decision provided for by subparagraph “c” or “d” of paragraph 2 of this Article is adopted during the academic year, the Accreditation Council is entitled, taking into account the petition of the respective educational institution and the legitimate interests of students, for the purpose of continuity of the educational process, notwithstanding the remaining term of accreditation, by an appropriate decision to have students complete the current academic year in the respective educational program in accredited mode and to indicate as the date of entry into force of the decision on the cancellation of accreditation or the decision on refusal of re-accreditation a date no later than the date of completion of the current academic year.

12. The deadlines for submitting an accreditation application shall provide the possibility of continuity of accreditation of the educational program.

Law of Georgia No. 4784 of 19 February 2016 – website, 07.03.2016.

Law of Georgia No. 1933 of 23 December 2017 – website, 11.01.2018.

Law of Georgia No. 3445 of 20 September 2018 – website, 09.10.2018.

Law of Georgia No. 6284 of 12 June 2020 – website, 15.06.2020.

Law of Georgia No. 1429 of 16 March 2022 – website, 24.03.2022.

Law of Georgia No. 1464 of 30 March 2022 – website, 06.04.2022.

Article 22¹. Increase of the maximum number of student places in a regulated academic higher educational programme provided for by subparagraph „b“ of paragraph 2 of Article 75 of the Law of Georgia “On Higher Education”🔗

1. A higher educational institution shall be entitled, within the maximum number of student places established for it by the Authorization Council, to submit to the Centre a written application on the increase of the maximum number of student places in a regulated academic higher educational programme provided for by subparagraph „b“ of paragraph 2 of Article 75 of the Law of Georgia “On Higher Education”.

2. The form of the written application to be submitted to the Centre on the increase of the maximum number of student places in a regulated academic higher educational programme provided for by subparagraph „b“ of paragraph 2 of Article 75 of the Law of Georgia “On Higher Education” shall be approved by an individual administrative-legal act of the Director of the Centre.

3. The procedure, conditions and fee for the increase of the maximum number of student places in a regulated academic higher educational programme provided for by subparagraph „b“ of paragraph 2 of Article 75 of the Law of Georgia “On Higher Education” shall be determined by the Accreditation Regulation.

4. The Accreditation Council shall adopt a decision on the increase of the maximum number of student places or a decision on refusal to increase the maximum number of student places within 90 calendar days from the submission to the Centre of the written application on the increase of the maximum number of student places in a regulated academic higher educational programme provided for by subparagraph „b“ of paragraph 2 of Article 75 of the Law of Georgia “On Higher Education”.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2022 No. 1429 – website, 24.03.2022.

Article 23. Verification of accreditation conditions and revocation of accreditation🔗

1. The Center shall monitor the fulfilment of the accreditation conditions by a higher education institution. In the event of detection of a violation of the accreditation conditions, the Accreditation Council shall be entitled to set for the relevant higher education institution a period of not more than 60 days for the correction of the defect, except where it is obvious that this will not produce a result.

2. The accreditation conditions shall be verified by submission of a self-assessment report to the Center, as well as on the initiative of the Center.

2¹. A self-assessment report shall be submitted to the Center at least once every 3 years. The deadlines for submission of the self-assessment report to the Center shall be determined by an individual administrative-legal act of the Director of the Center.

3. The Accreditation Council shall be entitled, on the basis of the results of an inspection of a higher education institution, to adopt a decision on the revocation of accreditation, if the higher education institution violates the accreditation conditions.

4. A decision on the revocation of accreditation shall be adopted within 90 calendar days from the issuance of an order of the Director of the Center on the verification of the fulfilment of the accreditation conditions by a higher education institution. The running of this period shall be considered suspended during the period set by the Accreditation Council for the relevant higher education institution for the correction of the defect.

Law of Georgia of 25 November 2011 No. 5348 – website, 06.12.2011.

Law of Georgia of 19 February 2016 No. 4784 – website, 07.03.2016.

Law of Georgia of 26 July 2017 No. 1224 – website, 28.07.2017.

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3445 – website, 09.10.2018.

Law of Georgia of 30 March 2022 No. 1464 – website, 06.04.2022.

Article 24. Legal consequences of refusal of accreditation, revocation of accreditation or expiry of the accreditation term🔗

1. In the case of refusal of accreditation of a higher education programme of a higher education institution or revocation of accreditation:

a) the higher education institution shall be restricted in the right to admit students/applicants/candidates for master's studies/candidates for doctoral studies to the higher education programme and the Georgian language training educational programme whose accreditation was refused, whose accreditation was revoked or whose accreditation term expired;

b) a student studying with state funding shall be entitled, in accordance with paragraph 11 of Article 22 of this Law, for the term established by the Accreditation Council (if such a term exists), to continue studying in the same higher education programme and to receive state funding or to enjoy the right of mobility, to transfer to another accredited higher education programme and to transfer the remaining amount of the state funding allocated for him/her to this higher education programme;

c) a student studying in an accredited higher education programme or in a Georgian language training educational programme shall, in accordance with paragraph 11 of Article 22 of this Law, upon expiry of the term established by the Accreditation Council (if such a term exists), from the entry into force of the Accreditation Council's decision on refusal of accreditation or on revocation of accreditation, have his/her student status suspended for a period of 5 years and shall be entitled to enjoy the right of mobility;

d) an applicant who has successfully passed the Unified National Examinations and, according to the ranking document approved by the Legal Entity of Public Law – National Centre for Assessment and Examinations, has acquired the right to be enrolled in a higher education programme, shall be entitled to enjoy the right of mobility;

e) a candidate for master's studies who has been included in the ranking document by the coefficients of the master's examinations shall be entitled to enjoy the right of mobility.

2. In the case of expiry of the accreditation term of a higher education programme or of the Georgian language training educational programme, a student shall, on the basis of a decision of the Accreditation Council, have the right to continue studying in the same educational programme until the end of the current academic semester and to receive state funding. The student's status shall be suspended for a period of 5 years from the end of the current academic semester and he/she shall be entitled to enjoy the right of mobility.

3. (Removed – 30.03.2022, No. 1464).

4. If an accreditation application was submitted to the Centre in compliance with the deadlines for submitting an accreditation application determined by the accreditation regulation, and the Director of the Centre issued an individual administrative-legal act on recognising a higher education institution as an applicant for accreditation, an educational programme submitted by the applicant for accreditation shall be considered an accredited educational programme for 180 calendar days from the expiry of the accreditation term, until the entry into force of the decision on accreditation adopted by the Accreditation Council and provided for by subparagraphs „a“, „b“ or „c“ of paragraph 2 of Article 22 of this Law.

5. The rule and conditions for considering an educational programme submitted by an applicant for accreditation as an accredited educational programme shall be determined by the accreditation regulation.

Law of Georgia of 12 June 2020 No. 6284 – website, 15.06.2020.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2022 No. 1429 – website, 24.03.2022.

Law of Georgia of 30 March 2022 No. 1464 – website, 06.04.2022.

Law of Georgia of 9 December 2025 No. 1162 - website, 12.12.2025.

Article 24¹. Appellate Council🔗

1. The decisions provided for by paragraph 2 of Article 11 and paragraph 2 of Article 22 of this Law may be appealed to the Appellate Council and/or to a court.

2. Members of the Appellate Council shall be appointed and dismissed by the Prime Minister of Georgia upon the submission of the Ministry. A member of the Appellate Council may not be a civil servant, a member of the Authorisation Council or a member of the Accreditation Council. The powers and rules of operation of the Appellate Council shall be determined by the authorisation regulation and the accreditation regulation, which guarantee its functional independence from educational institutions and state bodies. The Minister is entitled to establish deadlines for submitting and considering a complaint to the Appellate Council that differ from those provided for by the General Administrative Code of Georgia.

3. A decision of the Appellate Council may be of two types:

a) on concurring with the decision of the Authorisation Council/Accreditation Council;

b) on returning the matter to the Authorisation Council/Accreditation Council for reconsideration.

4. Appeal of a decision of the Authorisation Council/Accreditation Council to the Appellate Council and/or to a court shall not result in suspension of the effect of that decision.

Law of Georgia of 19 February 2016 No. 4784 - website, 07.03.2016.

Article 24². National Qualifications Framework and its objectives🔗

1. The National Qualifications Framework consists of 8 levels. Each level of the National Qualifications Framework is an element determining the complexity of a qualification, which combines the generalised learning outcomes described by "knowledge and awareness", "skills" and "responsibility and autonomy" − descriptors.

2. The objectives of the National Qualifications Framework are:

a) classification of qualifications in compliance with the basic principles of the National Qualifications Framework (compliance with learning outcomes, quality assurance, accessibility of information related to qualifications);

b) interconnection, management and development of general education, vocational education and higher education;

c) promotion of lifelong learning;

d) support of the quality assurance system;

e) ensuring the compatibility, comparability and transparency of qualifications at the international level;

f) promotion of mobility;

g) promotion of recognition of formal education obtained during the period of study;

h) promotion of recognition of non-formal education;

i) informing the public about existing qualifications;

j) reflecting the constantly changing demands of society in the education system and stimulating the description of respective, updatable qualifications.

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3437 – website, 05.10.2018.

Article 24³. Approval, management and development of the National Qualifications Framework🔗

1. The National Qualifications Framework shall be approved by the Minister upon the submission of the Centre.

2. The rules for the management, development and monitoring of the National Qualifications Framework, the creation and administration of the electronic register of qualifications, as well as the procedures and rules for the recognition of non-formal education shall be approved by the Minister upon the submission of the Centre.

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3437 – website, 05.10.2018.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 350 – website, 18.03.2021.

Article 24⁴. Classifier of fields of study🔗

1. The classifier of fields of study classifies the fields of study existing in Georgia and determines the qualification awarded in each field of study.

2. The classifier of fields of study shall be approved by the Minister upon the submission of the Centre.

3. The rules for the management, development and monitoring of the classifier of fields of study shall be approved by the Director of the Centre by an individual administrative-legal act.

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3437 – website, 05.10.2018.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2021 No. 350 – website, 18.03.2021.

Article 25. Verification of the authenticity of educational documents issued in Georgia🔗

When verifying the authenticity of educational documents issued in Georgia, the Center shall establish the fact of issuance to a person of an appropriate document on the full or partial completion of an educational program, as well as on the conferral of a qualification to him/her, and their compliance with the requirements of the legislation of Georgia.

Law of Georgia of 27 April 2016 No. 5022 - website, 13.05.2016

Article 25¹. Recognition of education received in Georgia🔗

1. The Center shall recognize higher education received in the occupied territory, higher education received by persons enrolled in a licensed higher educational institution, education received in a liquidated institution or an institution whose educational activities have been terminated, by those persons who are unable to confirm their education or qualification, as well as education received by persons enjoying international protection and internally displaced persons from the occupied territories of Georgia – IDPs.

2. The Center is authorized to issue a document confirming the recognition of education provided for by paragraph 1 of this article – a diploma.

3. The Ministry is authorized to establish a fee for the issuance of the document provided for by paragraph 2 of this article.

Law of Georgia of 25 November 2011 No. 5348 - website, 06.12.2011

Law of Georgia of 27 December 2011 No. 5639 - website, 09.01.2012

Law of Georgia of 1 December 2016 No. 52 - website, 15.12.2016

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3445 – website, 09.10.2018

Article 26. Recognition of education or qualification obtained abroad🔗

1. For the purpose of recognition of education or qualification obtained abroad, the Centre shall establish:

a) whether the educational document has been issued in the name of the person indicated in this document, and whether the educational institution issuing the said document is recognized under the legislation of the country where this institution carries out educational activity (verification of authenticity);

b) the compliance of the qualification obtained abroad with the qualifications existing in Georgia (establishment of compliance).

2. The Centre shall recognize education obtained abroad in distance form if it has been obtained:

a) in the relevant foreign country as a result of distance learning permitted due to the pandemic and/or for the purpose of preventing the spread of the pandemic or eliminating its consequences;

b) by a student located in the territory of Georgia at an educational institution operating in the territory of a European Union member state or the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and whose higher educational programme is accredited by an organization operating in the territory of a European Union member state or the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, which is a member of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) and registered in the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR), and which has the appropriate authority in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of the relevant country, and/or at an educational institution operating in the territory of the United States of America and whose higher educational programme is accredited by an organization operating in the territory of the United States of America which has the appropriate authority in accordance with the procedure established by the relevant legislation, and the said higher educational programme/programmes does not include practical/laboratory/clinical/workplace learning components and provides for the student's passing of intra-university examinations in a non-distance form.

Law of Georgia of 12 June 2020 No. 6289 – website, 15.06.2020.

Decision of the Constitutional Court of Georgia of 10 November 2023 No. 2/7/1528 – website, 15.11.2023.

Law of Georgia of 15 May 2024 No. 4164 – website, 21.05.2024.

Article 27. (Removed)🔗

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3445 – website, 09.10.2018.

Article 28. (Removed)🔗

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3445 – website, 09.10.2018.

Article 29. (Removed)🔗

Law of Georgia of 20 September 2018 No. 3445 – website, 09.10.2018.

Article 30. Fee for services rendered by the Center🔗

1. The fee is a mandatory payment established by an act of the Ministry for services rendered by the Center, including value added tax.

2. The fee shall be paid in advance, before the respective service is rendered, by non-cash settlement.

3. The fee shall be credited to the settlement account of the Center.

Law of Georgia of 25 November 2011 No. 5348 - website, 06.12.2011.

Article 31. Payment of the fee for services rendered by the Center, calculation of the time limit set for the service and refund of the paid fee🔗

1. The time limits for services rendered by the Center and the fee rates shall be determined by an act of the Ministry.

2. An interested person shall be obliged to pay the fee established by an act of the Ministry.

3. The calculation of the time limit set for a service by an act of the Ministry shall begin on the day following the registration of the application and shall end upon the expiry of the last day of the time limit. If the last day of the time limit coincides with a public holiday or a day of rest, the day of expiry of the time limit shall be considered the next working day.

4. The rule established by paragraph 3 of this Article shall not apply to the provision of expedited service determined by an act of the Ministry.

5. The rule for refund of the fee paid for services rendered by the Center shall be determined by an act of the Ministry.

Article 32. Measures related to the entry into force of the Law🔗

1. The Government of Georgia shall, before 15 September 2010, ensure the compliance of the Resolution No. 37 of the Government of Georgia of 21 May 2004 "on approval of the Regulation of the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia" with this Law.

2. The Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia shall, before 15 September 2010, ensure the approval of the legal acts provided for by subparagraphs "a" and "b" of paragraph 3 of Article 3 of this Law, and before 1 March 2011 – the approval of the legal acts provided for by subparagraphs "c"–"e" of paragraph 3 of Article 3 of this Law.

3. The President of Georgia, the Government of Georgia, the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia and educational institutions shall, before 1 March 2011, ensure the compliance of the respective legal acts with this Law.

4. The Legal Entity of Public Law – the National Center for Educational Accreditation shall be reorganised into the Legal Entity of Public Law – the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement. The Legal Entity of Public Law – the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement is the successor of the Legal Entity of Public Law – the National Center for Educational Accreditation.

5. The Legal Entity of Public Law – the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement shall be determined as the successor of the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia in the part of the activities performed and ongoing by the Licensing, Legalisation and Apostille Division of the Legal Support Department of the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia.

6. The Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia shall be tasked with the implementation of the measures related to the reorganisation of the Legal Entity of Public Law – the National Center for Educational Accreditation into the Legal Entity of Public Law – the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement. Until the completion of these measures, the functions of the Legal Entity of Public Law – the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement shall be performed by the Legal Entity of Public Law – the National Center for Educational Accreditation, and the functions of the Licensing, Legalisation and Apostille Division of the Legal Support Department of the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia – by the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia.

Article 32¹. Authorisation of Orthodox theological higher educational institutions🔗

Orthodox theological higher educational institutions founded by the Georgian Apostolic Autocephalous Orthodox Church on the basis of this Law shall be considered as authorised in accordance with this Law until 1 January 2015. From 1 January 2015, the said Orthodox theological higher educational institutions shall be subject to authorisation in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.

Law of Georgia of 28 December 2012 No. 188 - website, 29.12.2012.

Article 32². Re-authorization of Educational Institutions and Accreditation of Educational Programmes🔗

1. A higher educational institution whose decision on authorization was made in 2011–2015 shall have its 5-year authorization term extended by 1 year.

2. Higher educational programmes accredited in 2011-2012 and educational programmes for training in the Georgian language shall be considered accredited in accordance with the stages established by Ordinance of the Government of Georgia for the re-accreditation of these educational programmes. By 1 September 2017, the stages of re-accreditation in 2018–2022 of higher educational programmes accredited in 2011-2012 and educational programmes for training in the Georgian language shall be determined by Ordinance of the Government of Georgia according to the fields provided for by the “List of Fields, Branches/Specialties, Sub-branches/Specializations and Professional Specializations” (Annex No. 4) approved by Order No. 120/n of the Minister of Education and Science of Georgia of 10 December 2010 “On Approval of the National Qualifications Framework”.

2¹. Higher educational programmes of the bachelor’s degree for teacher training accredited in 2011-2012 and 2014-2015 (the bachelor’s educational programme for training teachers of the primary level of general education and the educational programme for teacher training that is a component part of the bachelor’s educational programme) shall be considered accredited until the beginning of the 2022-2023 academic year.

2². A general educational institution whose current authorization term expires in 2020 shall have this term extended until 31 December 2020 inclusive.

2³. A higher educational institution whose current authorization term expires before 1 March 2021 shall have this term extended until 1 July 2021.

2⁴. A higher educational programme (except an educational programme accredited in 2011-2012) whose current accreditation term expires in 2020 shall have this term extended until 31 December 2020 inclusive.

2⁵. An educational programme for a certified medical doctor (except an educational programme accredited in 2011-2012) whose current accreditation term expires in 2020 shall have this term extended until 1 July 2021.

3. Until 1 January 2018, the verification by higher educational institutions of the authorization conditions provided for by Article 15 of this Law shall be carried out in accordance with the authorization standards in force until 1 September 2016.

4. Higher educational programmes accredited as of 1 June 2022 and educational programmes for training in the Georgian language shall be considered accredited in accordance with the stages established by order of the Minister for the re-accreditation of these educational programmes. Before 1 July 2022, the stages for passing re-accreditation in 2022–2028 by the higher educational programmes and educational programmes for training in the Georgian language accredited as of 1 June 2022 shall be determined by order of the Minister according to the fields of study provided for by the classifier of fields of study.

5. A higher educational institution shall be entitled to implement a higher educational programme operating in a non-accredited regime as of 1 June 2022 until the expiry of the accreditation period determined for the field of study established by paragraph 4 of this article. After the expiry of the said period, the implementation of a higher educational programme in a non-accredited regime shall not be permitted.

6. A higher educational programme and an educational programme for training in the Georgian language accredited as of 1 June 2022 whose current accreditation period expires 2 years after the expiry of the deadline of the stage determined by order of the Minister provided for by paragraph 4 of this article for re-accreditation shall be considered accredited until the expiry of the next accreditation period determined for the respective field of study established by paragraph 4 of this article.

7. Before 1 July 2022, the list of higher educational programmes and educational programmes for training in the Georgian language provided for by paragraphs 4 and 6 of this article shall be determined by order of the Minister.

8. The periods provided for by paragraphs 4 and 6 of this article shall not apply to a higher educational programme and an educational programme for training in the Georgian language operating as of 1 June 2022 that have been granted conditional accreditation.

9. The periods provided for by paragraphs 4–6 of this article shall not apply to a higher educational programme accredited by a foreign organisation of the relevant competence recognised by the Centre, provided that the accreditation granted by this organisation is recognised by the Centre in accordance with the procedure established by the accreditation regulation.

Law of Georgia of 19 February 2016 No. 4784 – website, 07.03.2016.

Law of Georgia of 26 July 2017 No. 1224 – website, 28.07.2017.

Law of Georgia of 13 December 2019 No. 5568 – website, 19.12.2019.

Law of Georgia of 12 June 2020 No. 6284 – website, 15.06.2020.

Law of Georgia of 16 March 2022 No. 1429 – website, 24.03.2022.

Article 32³. Apostille certification/legalisation of education documents issued after 1 September 2010🔗

Apostille certification/legalisation of education documents shall be inadmissible if the education was obtained at a licensed higher educational institution after 1 September 2010.

Law of Georgia of 27 April 2016 No. 5022 – website, 13.05.2016.

Article 32⁴. Suspension of the time limit of administrative proceedings on an authorisation application submitted to the Centre from 1 January 2020 to 1 October 2020🔗

The time limit of administrative proceedings on an authorisation application submitted to the Centre from 1 January 2020 to 1 October 2020 for the purpose of obtaining the status of a higher educational institution, or such time limit of administrative proceedings provided for by the authorisation regulation in relation to a higher educational institution, the conduct of which, by decision of the Director of the Centre, is impossible without a visit of the relevant group of authorisation experts to that higher educational institution, shall be suspended until 1 January 2021.

Law of Georgia of 12 June 2020 No. 6284 – website, 15.06.2020.

Article 32⁵. Rule for obtaining the right to implement a preschool upbringing and education programme/school readiness programme🔗

1. A general educational institution founded in the form of a legal entity of private law shall, within the period defined by paragraph 6 of Article 28 of the Law of Georgia on Early and Preschool Upbringing and Education, be entitled, without creating an independent legal entity, to obtain the right to implement a preschool upbringing and education programme/school readiness programme in accordance with the "Temporary Rule for Passing Authorisation by an Early Upbringing and Education and/or Preschool Upbringing and Education Institution, as well as for Suspension and Termination of Authorisation of an Institution" approved on the basis of paragraph 8 of Article 28 of the Law of Georgia on Early and Preschool Upbringing and Education.

2. Implementation of a preschool upbringing and education programme/school readiness programme by a general educational institution founded in the form of a legal entity of private law without obtaining the right in the manner defined by this article may become grounds for revocation of the authorisation of the general educational institution.

Law of Georgia of 15 December 2023 No. 3960 – website, 25.12.2023.

Article 32⁶. Appeal against the decision of the Council for Authorization of Early and Preschool Upbringing and Education Institutions🔗

Within the period defined by paragraph 6 of Article 28 of the Law of Georgia “On Early and Preschool Upbringing and Education”, a decision adopted by the Council for Authorization of Early and Preschool Upbringing and Education Institutions may be appealed to the appellate council provided for by Article 24¹ of this Law, in accordance with the “Temporary Rules for Passing Authorization by an Early Upbringing and Education and/or Preschool Upbringing and Education Institution, as well as for Suspension and Termination of Authorization of an Institution” approved on the basis of paragraph 8 of Article 28 of the Law of Georgia “On Early and Preschool Upbringing and Education”.

Law of Georgia of 15 December 2023 No. 3960 – website, 25.12.2023.

Article 32⁷. Determination of the maximum number of student places in a regulated academic higher educational programme provided for by subparagraph “b” of paragraph 2 of Article 75 of the Law of Georgia “On Higher Education”🔗

1. Until 31 December 2027 inclusive, the Council for Authorization of Higher Educational Institutions, when adopting the decision provided for by subparagraph “a” of paragraph 2 of Article 11 of this Law, shall, in accordance with the procedure established by the authorization regulation, also determine the maximum number of student places in the regulated academic higher educational programme provided for by subparagraph “b” of paragraph 2 of Article 75 of the Law of Georgia “On Higher Education”, within the maximum number of student places established for the higher educational institution, where the authorization application submitted by the status applicant indicates the said regulated academic higher educational programme and the maximum number of student places for it has not been determined by the accreditation council.

2. Until 31 December 2027 inclusive, the Council for Authorization of Higher Educational Institutions, when adopting a decision on the increase of the number of student places provided for by paragraph 3 of Article 16² of this Law, shall, in accordance with the procedure established by the authorization regulation, also determine the maximum number of student places in the regulated academic higher educational programme provided for by subparagraph “b” of paragraph 2 of Article 75 of the Law of Georgia “On Higher Education”, within the maximum number of student places established for the higher educational institution, where the applicant, who applies to the Centre with a request to increase the number of student places, implements the said regulated academic higher educational programme and the maximum number of student places for it has not been determined by the accreditation council.

Law of Georgia of 27 June 2024 No. 4300 – website, 04.07.2024.

Article 32⁸. Implementation by higher educational institutions founded by the State of programmes not provided for by the list of educational programmes (curricula) determined by the Government of Georgia🔗

Higher educational institutions founded by the State, for which, on the basis of subparagraph „d“ of paragraph 1 of Article 6 of the Law of Georgia “On Higher Education”, the Government of Georgia determines the list of educational programmes (curricula) that they are entitled to implement, shall be granted the right to implement, regardless of the remaining term, in accredited or non-accredited (authorised) mode, those educational programmes which, as of 1 January 2026, they are implementing in accordance with the legislation of Georgia and which are not provided for by the said list, subject to the following terms:

a) a bachelor's educational programme of not less than 180 credits − before the start of the 2029-2030 academic year;

b) a bachelor's educational programme of not less than 240 credits − before the start of the 2030-2031 academic year;

c) a master's educational programme − before the start of the 2028-2029 academic year;

d) a doctoral educational programme − before the start of the 2029-2030 academic year;

e) an integrated bachelor's-master's educational programme for teacher training, an integrated master's educational programme in veterinary medicine, an educational programme for a certified physician, an educational programme for a certified dentist − before the start of the 2030-2031 academic year.

Law of Georgia of 4 February 2026 No. 1355 – website, 05.02.2026.

Article 33. Entry into force of the Law🔗

This Law shall enter into force from 1 September 2010.

President of Georgia M. Saakashvili

Tbilisi,

21 July 2010.

No. 3531–rs