The accreditation process can be complex, so a list of frequently asked questions and answers is provided.
There are core elements of the accreditation process that all programs must complete. The Committee on Accreditation (CoA) for your profession will take you through the steps of the accreditation process and provide information specific to programs in the profession they serve. Before completing a Request for Accreditation Services Form (RAS), review the RAS Completion Checklist, which provides detailed information and documentation needed to successfully submit the RAS. If you want information about CAAHEP accreditation and are not ready to submit a Request for Accreditation Services yet, please use the CAAHEP Accreditation Inquiry form to request additional information.
The CAAHEP Board of Directors reviews accreditation recommendations six times per year at its January, March, May, July, September, and November meetings. Program recommendations are due from Committees on Accreditation (CoAs) by stated deadlines, which are approximately 30 days prior to the scheduled CAAHEP Board of Directors meeting.
CAAHEP notifies programs of accreditation decisions within 10 days following the CAAHEP Board of Directors meeting at which action was taken. Decision letters are sent electronically to the President of the program sponsor institution with courtesy copies sent to the Dean and Program Director. Awards of accreditation include a certificate of accreditation. The program's accreditation status is updated, and the decision letter posted on the CAAHEP website under the Find an Accredited Program link.
CAAHEP accreditation does not expire. The accreditation process includes ongoing quality review of program compliance with the Standards, including the evaluation of information regarding program compliance form sources including, but not limited to, annual reports and progress reports. Additionally, programs are required to undergo a comprehensive evaluation, including a site visit, at least every ten years. Once accreditation is awarded, it remains in place until action is taken to withdraw accreditation, either voluntarily at the request of the program, or involuntarily based the inability of the program to comply with the Standards.
There are core elements of the accreditation process, including: submission of a self-study by the program, documenting how it meets the Standards; a site visit of the program to verify information contained in the self-study and determine further compliance with the Standards; review of site visit findings and the program’s written response to identified findings by the Committee on Accreditation (CoA); formulation of an accreditation recommendation by the CoA; and action on the recommendation by the CAAHEP Board of Directors. Data gathered on the CAAHEP accreditation process indicates the process takes 12-24 months to complete, once a program has submitted a self-study to initiate the process. The length of the process varies based on the overall readiness of the program, the quality of the self-study submitted by the program, and the availability of site visitors and schedule of the Committee on Accreditation responsible for implementing the accreditation process. It is important to note that there is no guarantee of a timeline, and no guarantee that the accreditation will ultimately be awarded.
Review the Standards and Guidelines documents, available in the Program Director section on the CAAHEP website, which contain the minimum requirements that programs must meet for accreditation. In addition, contact the Committee on Accreditation (CoA) for your profession to determine the specific requirements and timing for accreditation applications. A list of CoAs with links to their websites is available under the For Programs tab on the CAAHEP website.
CAAHEP is the largest specialized accreditor of allied health education programs in the United States, representing 32 professions. The Committees on Accreditation (CoAs) are peer review groups that consist of subject matter experts in each profession. CoAs implement the accreditation process with programs in their profession and recommend accreditation statues to the CAAHEP Board for review. CAAHEP makes the final determination and award/denial of accreditation.
CAAHEP and its Committees on Accreditation (CoAs) charge accreditation fees. CAAHEP charges an annual fee to accredited programs (see the Governing Document page for current fee information). Each CoA sets its fees, which generally include application, annual, site visit, and other maintenance fees. For specific fee information for a particular profession, contact the appropriate CoA directly. A list of CoAs, with links to each CoA's website, is found in the For Programs area on this website.
CAAHEP accreditation promotes academic quality by setting minimum Standards for education in health professions and recognizing educational programs that meet the Standards. Accreditation focuses on continuous improvement, assuring that education programs continue to meet Standards, and develop action plans to address areas needing improvement. Accreditation protects consumers, providing assurance that individuals entering the health science professions possess the required knowledge and skills needed in their profession. For many professions, CAAHEP accreditation qualifies graduates to take certification/licensure exams and/or obtain employment.
Yes, individuals can submit a complaint to CAAHEP if they believe a program has violated the Accreditation Standards or policies established by CAAHEP and its Committees on Accreditation. Information regarding the process and requirements for submitting a complaint can be found on the CAAHEP website in the Contact section.
Prior to a Committee on Accreditation recommending probation, withdrawal, or withhold of accreditation to the CAAHEP Board of Directors, the program will receive notification from the Committee on Accreditation in which the program will be informed of the Committee on Accreditation’s intent to recommend an adverse action as well as Prior to a Committee on Accreditation (CoA) recommending probation, withdrawal, or withhold of accreditation to the CAAHEP Board of Directors, the CoA first notifies the program in writing of the negative recommendation before submitting it to CAAHEP. The notification identifies the rationale and compliance documentation for findings of non-compliance and outlines options for the program, including the ability to request CoA reconsideration of the negative recommendation. A request for reconsideration by the program provides an opportunity to submit additional information addressing the findings of non-compliance. If the CAAHEP Board ultimately take action on a negative CoA recommendation, actions to withhold or withdraw accreditation may be appealed. stated deficiencies that are the basis of that recommendation. The program will be offered the opportunity to request reconsideration of the proposed recommendation prior to the submission of the accreditation recommendation. The request for reconsideration by the program provides an opportunity to submit additional information addressing the stated deficiencies. The Committee on Accreditation may or may not change their recommendation to the CAAHEP Board of Directors upon review of the reconsideration materials. Only recommendations for withhold or withdrawal may be appealed.
