(a) Each postsecondary educational institution desiring to operate in this state shall apply to the commission, upon forms provided by the commission. The application shall be accompanied by a catalog or brochure published, or proposed to be published by the institution, containing the information specified in AS 14.48.060(b)(4). The application shall also be accompanied by evidence of a surety bond or other deposit as required by AS 14.48.100, and by the required fees.
(b) Following review of the application and after necessary investigation of the applicant the commission shall either grant or deny authorization to operate to the applicant. A grant of authorization to operate may be on those terms and conditions the commission may prescribe.
(c) The authorization to operate must be in a form approved by the commission and must include
(1) the date of issuance, effective date, and term of approval;
(2) the name and address of the institution;
(3) the authority for approval;
(4) any condition or limitation of the authorization, as considered necessary by the commission.
(d) The term for which an initial authorization is given may not exceed two years, and may be issued for a lesser period of time. A subsequent authorization may be issued for a period up to five years.
(e) The authorization to operate shall be issued to the owner, or governing body, of the applicant institution, and shall be nontransferable. In the event of a change in ownership or management of the institution, a new owner or manager, or governing body, must, within 30 days after the change in ownership is effective, apply for a new authorization to operate, and if the new application is not made the institution's authorization to operate shall terminate. Application for a new authorization to operate by reason of change in ownership of the institution is considered an application for renewal under (f) of this section.
(f) At least 60 days before the expiration of an authorization to operate, the institution shall complete and file with the commission an application form for renewal of its authorization to operate. The renewal application shall be reviewed and acted upon as provided for an original application.
(g) An institution not yet in operation when its application for authorization to operate is filed may not begin operation until receipt of authorization. An institution in operation when its application for authorization to operate is filed may continue operation until its application is acted upon by the commission. The commission may issue provisional authorization to operate, containing limitations as to time, procedures, functions, or other conditions as the commission considers necessary.