The US-recognized quality standard for educational recruitment agencies.

What is AIRC Certification? 


AIRC Certification attests to the quality of an educational agency as determined by a rigorous, independent, and objective process to verify that it meets the AIRC Standards for Educational Agencies.


Achieving AIRC Certification is a significant achievement and demonstrates that an agency operates with integrity, dedication to students, and a commitment to ethical international enrollment management.



View Certification Guide

What are the benefits of AIRC Certification for Agencies? 

  • Reputation: Uphold the highest quality standards in international enrollment management. 
  • Partnership Development: Access a network of US institutions seeking partners.
  • Public Recognition: Get a certified agency listing and block-chain verified badge.
  • Business Process Improvement: Closely examine and improve business operations with access to industry-leading tools, training, and best practices. 
  • AIRC Member Benefits: Gain access to the annual conference, training, professional development, events, community engagement, and more.

What are the Eligibility Requirements? 


To begin the certification process, an agency must meet these eligibility requirements:

  • Meets AIRC’s definition of an education agency
  • Minimum of 2 years of operation in the student recruitment business 
  • Successful record of placing at least 25 students in accredited post-secondary or secondary programs or institutions
  • The date of first student placement is 18 months before applying
  • Ability to pass a background check with no record of fraud, criminal, or civil proceedings within the last seven years 


New agencies that do not meet the requirements may be eligible for the AIRC Certification Bridge program.

What is an Education Agency?

 

For the purposes of AIRC membership and certification, an education agency is:
A contracted representative that provides student counseling, recruitment, and/or enrollment services; and receives incentive compensation or commission from institutions for the successful placement of international students.


Education agency businesses can include individuals, organizations, companies, or associations.


Agencies that engage sub-agents for part of the recruitment process or agencies that franchise their operations are eligible for certification. The agency applying for certification is accountable for actions of its sub-agents and franchisees throughout the certification process. 

AIRC Certification Process Overview

Certification Components


AIRC Certification is modeled after the U.S. higher education accreditation process, and is intentionally designed to be rigorous. The main components include:

  • Background check, institutional partner reference checks, and sub-agent reference checks (if applicable) 
  • In-depth Self-Evaluation Report Form (SERF) to demonstrate how the agency meets the Standards
  • Sub-Agent Appendix to SERF (if applicable) 
  • In-person site visit to agency headquarters by a trained External Reviewer 
  • Review and vote by the independent Certification Commission 
  • Public comment procedure for certified agencies and approved applicants


Timeline and Recertification

  • The certification process takes 6-12 months on average, but may be completed in less.
  • There is a one year deadline from the Phase 2 approval date to submit the SERF and Phase 2 fee. 
  • The initial certification period is 5 years.
  • Agencies that maintain their Certified status may apply for recertification, for an additional period of 10 years.

Phase 2 Certification Fees and Discounts

In support of AIRC's strategic objective to develop a diverse and representative agency membership, the Stage 2 Certification fee is differentiated based on an agency’s Predominant Source Market (PSM) - the country from which 50% or more of student placements originate.

Fee Category Amount Applies to
Standard Rate $6,000 Agencies whose PSM makes up >20% of certified agencies (currently India)
Priority Rate $2,000 Agencies whose PSM makes up <20% of certified agencies (currently all countries except India)

Through strategic partnerships, discounts and waivers are available to ICEF Agency Status (IAS) agencies and StudyTravel Reference Checked (STRC) agencies:

  • $300 discount
  • Initial reference checks waived

Ready to get started?


The first step in the certification process is to complete the Initial Membership Type Questionnaire.

Submit Questionnaire