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The FTC is seeking public comments on its Private Vocational and Distance Education Schools Guides, commonly known as the Vocational Schools Guides, as part of its systematic review of agency guides and regulations. As detailed in the Federal Register notice announcing the review, the FTC issued the Guides in 1972 to advise businesses offering vocational training courses – either on the school’s premises or through distance education, such as correspondence courses or the Internet – how to avoid unfair and deceptive practices in the advertising, marketing, or sale of their courses. The Guides were amended in 1998 to address misrepresentations related to post-graduation employment and make other minor changes.

Specifically, the FTC is seeking comments on the Guides’ benefits and potential burdens. The notice also solicits comments on whether changes to the Guides are needed to increase their benefits, reduce their costs, or address changes in relevant technology, economic conditions, or applicable laws. Public comments are being accepted through October 16, 2009, and the notice provides information on how and where they may be submitted. All comments submitted will be publicly available on the FTC’s Web site at: www.ftc.gov/os/publiccomments.shtm.

The Commission vote approving the Federal Register notice was 4-0. It can be found on the FTC’s Web site and as a link to this press release at www.ftc.gov/os/2009/07/P097701vocationalschool.pdf. (FTC File No. P097701; the staff contact is Julie A. Lady, FTC East Central Region, Cleveland, 216-263-3409.)

Copies of the documents mentioned in this release are available from the FTC’s Web site at http://www.ftc.gov and from the FTC’s Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20580. Call toll-free: 1-877-FTC-HELP.

(FYI 36.2009.wpd)