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Inactive Status

Programs with continuing accreditation may request a period of inactive status. A program may remain inactive for up to two years. During this time the program is required to pay all Committee on Accreditation (CoA) and CAAHEP fees. No students may be enrolled or be matriculating in the program during the time period in which the program is inactive. To request an inactive status a program must submit the CAAHEP request for Inactive Status letter.

To reactivate the program the Chief Executive Officer or an officially designated representative of the sponsor must provide notice of its intent to do so in writing to both CAAHEP and the appropriate Committee on Accreditation. If additional time is required, the institution shall submit to the CoA for consideration a documented plan with timelines for reactivation of the program. The sponsor will be notified by the CoA of additional requirements, if any, that must be met to restore active status.

If a sponsor has not notified CAAHEP or the CoA of its intent to re-activate a program by the end of the two-year period, the CoA will recommend withdrawal of accreditation to the CAAHEP Board of Directors.

If a CoA becomes aware that no students have been enrolled in a program for two consecutive years, the program will be considered to have been inactive and will be required to submit for the CoA’s consideration a documented plan with timelines for reactivation. If the plan is not satisfactory to the CoA or no plan is submitted, withdrawal of accreditation will be recommended.

Voluntary Withdrawal

A sponsor may voluntarily withdraw a program from the CAAHEP system of accreditation by submitting to CAAHEP the voluntary withdrawal template letter signed by the CEO of the sponsor or by another designated individual (NOT the program director).

As indicated in the template letter, the request must include the following:

  • the date of enrollment of the last class under CAAHEP accreditation;
  • the date of graduation of the last class under CAAHEP accreditation;
  • and the location where all records will be kept for students who have completed the program.

CAAHEP will assign the effective date of the voluntary withdrawal as the graduation date of the last class enrolled under CAAHEP accreditation. All current and potential students must be informed of the voluntary withdrawal up to the date that it becomes effective. The sponsor must pay all CAAHEP and/or Committee on Accreditation (CoA) fees until the effective date of voluntary withdrawal.

As of the effective date of voluntary withdrawal of accreditation, the program will no longer appear on the CAAHEP website’s listing of accredited programs.

CAAHEP will notify the appropriate CoA of the voluntary withdrawal of accreditation. Voluntary withdrawal of accreditation does not require approval by the CoA or the CAAHEP Board of Directors.
 

Voluntary Withdrawal in Lieu of Adverse Action

When a program chooses to voluntarily withdraw rather than have a recommendation sent to CAAHEP for probationary accreditation or withdrawal, the effective date of that voluntary withdrawal will be the same as the date on which the CAAHEP Board would have considered the recommendation for probation or withdrawal.
 
Any student who completes a program that was accredited by CAAHEP at any time during his/her matriculation is deemed by CAAHEP to be a graduate of a CAAHEP accredited program. These students must be provided all the instruction promised by the institution and the institution is expected to maintain the academic integrity of the education program until these students have completed the program. 

A sponsor may voluntarily withdraw a program in lieu of adverse action from the CAAHEP system of accreditation by submitting to CAAHEP  the voluntary withdrawal adverse option template letter signed by the CEO of the sponsor or by another designated individual (NOT the program director).