Questions from Designated School Officials is a blog series on Study in the States for designated school officials (DSOs). Each month, we will answer a question that will help you advise your F and/or M students. If you are a DSO and would like to submit a question, you can email us or ask us via social media, your Field Representative or the SEVP Response Center. We may edit questions for clarity and consistency and may not feature all submissions on Study in the States.

Question: What is a certification expiration date?

Answer: Per regulation, schools must periodically undergo recertification to continue enrolling F and/or M students. When your school is 180 days away from its certification expiring, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) will send a notice regarding the certification expiration date (CED) to the principal designated school official (PDSO) at your school. After receiving the notice, the PDSO must file for recertification in SEVIS and submit a complete recertification package before the CED.

The CED is the last date your school will be eligible to enroll F and/or M students unless a complete recertification package is submitted beforehand. It is important that you read your CED notice in full and submit your recertification package within the appropriate timeframe. If you fail to submit a complete recertification package in time, your school will lose its certification, meaning your F and/or M students must either transfer to another SEVP‑certified school or leave the country.

For more information on certification and recertification, visit our Schools Portal. If you have questions, contact the SEVP Response Center at 703–603–3400 or sevp@ice.dhs.gov.