North Dakota Code 15-18.1-13 – Unlawful to issue, manufacture, or use false academic degrees – Penalty
1. It is unlawful for a person to knowingly advertise to sell, issue, or manufacture a false academic degree. A person that violates this subsection is guilty of a class C felony. This subsection does not apply to a newspaper, television or radio station, or other commercial medium that is not the source of the advertisement.
Attorney's Note
Under the North Dakota Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class C felony | up to 5 years | up to $10,000 |
| Class A misdemeanor | up to 360 days | up to $3,000 |
Terms Used In North Dakota Code 15-18.1-13
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Individual: means a human being. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49
- Person: means an individual, organization, government, political subdivision, or government agency or instrumentality. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49
- State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49
- Transcript: A written, word-for-word record of what was said, either in a proceeding such as a trial or during some other conversation, as in a transcript of a hearing or oral deposition.
- United States: includes the District of Columbia and the territories. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49
2. a. It is unlawful for an individual to knowingly use or claim to have a false academic degree:
(1) To obtain employment; (2) To obtain a promotion or higher compensation in employment; (3) To obtain admission to an institution of higher learning; or
(4) In connection with any business, trade, profession, or occupation.
b. An individual who violates this subsection is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
3. As used in this section, “false academic degree” means a document such as a degree or certification of completion of a degree, coursework, or degree credit, including a transcript, that provides evidence or demonstrates completion of a course of instruction or coursework that results in the attainment of a rank or level of associate or higher which is issued by a person that is not a duly authorized institution of higher learning.
4. As used in this section, “duly authorized institution of higher learning” means an institution that:
a. Has accreditation recognized by the United States secretary of education or has the foreign equivalent of such accreditation; b. Has an authorization to operate under this chapter or under chapter 15-20.4; c. Operates in this state, and is exempt from this chapter under section 15-18.1-02 or is exempt from chapter 15-20.4 under section 15-20.4-02; d. Does not operate in this state and is:
(1) Licensed by the appropriate state agency; and
(2) An active applicant for accreditation by an accrediting body recognized by the United States secretary of education; or
e. Has been found by the state board of higher education or the state board for career and technical education to meet standards of academic quality comparable to those of an institution located in the United States that has accreditation recognized by the United States secretary of education to offer degrees of the type and level claimed.