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The list of accredited programs on the CAAHEP website is continuously monitored and updated.  If a program isn’t on the list, it isn’t currently CAAHEP accredited. When discussing accreditation with an institution, it is vital to clarify the type of accreditation you are asking about: programmatic or institutional. CAAHEP is a programmatic accreditor that evaluates health sciences education programs for specific professions. Another type of accreditation is “institutional” accreditation, which accredits the institution as a whole. CAAHEP is NOT an institutional accreditor. Please note that institutions are under no obligation to participate in the programmatic or specialized accreditation process. It is entirely voluntary.

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To begin the accreditation process, all programs must complete a Request for Accreditation Services form and then participate in a self-study and a comprehensive site review. Throughout this process, the program is working with one of CAAHEP’s Committees on Accreditation (CoAs) and receiving feedback about how well they are progressing toward their goals of meeting the CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines. There is NO status of accreditation during this application process, so the program is NOT accredited while the application is being reviewed. There is also no guarantee that simply because a program has initiated the accreditation process that they will eventually receive accreditation. A program is NOT accredited until the CoA makes that recommendation to the CAAHEP Board of Directors and the Board of Directors votes to approve that recommendation.

The list of CAAHEP accredited programs on the CAAHEP is accurate and up to date. Each time a program is added to or updated in the CAAHEP database, those changes are reflected in “real time” on the CAAHEP website.  While CAAHEP makes every effort to maintain the reliability of the data on the website, it is possible that information provided by an institution,  program, or CoA may be incorrect or needs to be updated. If the program you are looking for does not appear on our list, it is not CAAHEP accredited. We have no information about non-CAAHEP accredited programs.

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The CAAHEP Board of Directors reviews accreditation recommendations 6 times per year (January, March, May, July, September and November). Our lists of accredited programs are updated immediately following each of these meetings.

Admissions are the prerogative of the individual institution. For admissions information including prerequisites, you should contact the institution directly. Each accredited program's contact information is available on the website as part of the Find an Accredited Program list.

Potential students are encouraged to research the profession that they are planning a career in to determine whether graduation from a CAAHEP accredited program is required to sit for licensure/certification/registry exams or work in your field. Regardless of the certifying body’s requirements, attending a CAAHEP accredited program provides you with an assurance that an outside source has reviewed the program and that it is in compliance with the nationally recognized Standards for the profession.

CAAHEP is not involved in the certification or licensure of individuals. Our mission is the accreditation of educational programs. You will need to contact the certifying body or licensure board for your profession directly.

As CAAHEP is not involved in the certification or licensure of individuals we cannot provide you with specific information as to how to become certified in your field. You will need to contact the certifying body or licensure board for your profession directly.

If CAAHEP accredits a program at any time while you are enrolled in the program, CAAHEP considers you a graduate of a CAAHEP accredited program. It is essential to understand that CAAHEP’s definition may not be the same as that of the professional certifying body.  It is recommended that you contact the certifying body directly to determine if you meet their eligibility requirements.

CAAHEP and the Committees on Accreditation take very seriously concerns raised by enrolled and prospective students. For more details, please review CAAHEP's Complaint Policy. Complaints must be submitted using the CAAHEP Complaint Form found on the Contact Us page.

While a program is on probation it is still a CAAHEP accredited program.  Probationary accreditation is a temporary status of accreditation imposed when a program does not continue to meet CAAHEP accreditation Standards but should be able to meet them within the specified time.  

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CAAHEP policy allows a program to maintain its accreditation status for up to two years while “inactive.” New students cannot be enrolled in a program while it is inactive.

There are a limited number of CAAHEP accredited programs that are offered online. Use the search feature by selection "Accredited" under Find an Accredited Program and selectin Accredited Distance Education program to find a program that is conducted online.

CAAHEP does not accredit continuing education courses. The CAAHEP Academy does have programs that provide professional credit hours.

No. CAAHEP has no information on scholarships or financial aid.

When a program voluntarily withdraws from the CAAHEP system of accreditation, they are asked to provide CAAHEP with record retention information. To determine if CAAHEP has this information, please contact us directly. If you need to confirm the accreditation of a previously-accredited or an older/closed program, please complete this Accreditation Verification Form. The profession-specific Committee on Accreditation may also have information regarding student records or accreditation status. If neither CAAHEP nor the Committee on Accreditation has this information, it is recommended that you contact the state, institutional, or international educational authorization body that oversees post-secondary education of the institution you attended to determine the relevant record retention policies for past student records.

CAAHEP maintains records of all programs that have been accredited.  As much of this program information “pre-dates” our current technologies, you will need to contact the CAAHEP office directly at 727-210-2350 or email mail@caahep.org to determine a program’s accreditation history.

No. CAAHEP does not maintain any student records.

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.

CAAHEP does not have information on what professions allow those with a felony charge to work. Please contact the professional association that represents the professionals in your field.