What level of evidence is required by the APA to support a decision?

In administrative law, particularly under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), the level of evidence required to support a decision is known as "substantial evidence." This standard is specifically utilized in the context of judicial review of administrative agency actions. Substantial evidence means that there is enough relevant evidence that a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion. This standard is less rigorous than "clear and convincing evidence" or "beyond a reasonable doubt," which are typically higher thresholds used in certain legal contexts such as criminal law or specific civil cases involving heightened scrutiny.

The substantial evidence standard allows for a certain level of deference to the factual determinations made by the agency, recognizing that agencies often possess specialized expertise. This means that even if the evidence presented could support a different conclusion, as long as there is some reasonable basis in the record for the agency's decision, courts will typically uphold it. This principle ensures that administrative agencies can operate effectively without undue interference from the judiciary, while still providing a mechanism for review of their decisions.

In contrast, the other options represent different standards of proof that are not applicable in this context:

• "Preponderance of the evidence" is a standard often used in civil cases, meaning that something is more likely true than