Accreditation is a voluntary quality assurance process for educational institutions, wherein a comprehensive and objective process of outside peer review is used to determine whether an institution or program meets the standards of the accrediting body in institutional and/or educational quality and effectiveness. ACCET provides institutional accreditation for its members. For more information, please refer to ACCET Document 1 – The Accreditation Process.

Please refer to our Benefits of Accreditation page.

Institutional accreditation (for institutions not already accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education) is the process that evaluates and attests to the institution’s compliance with the standards of the accrediting agency in all areas of the organization, including goals and planning, management, finances, curricula, instructional staff and delivery, admissions and student services, and evaluation. Institutions that are already accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may also seek programmatic accreditation for certain programs, in order for the graduates of these programs to be eligible, upon graduation, to sit for nationally recognized programmatic certification. Programmatic accreditation is offered by some agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. ACCET does not offer programmatic accreditation to its members; however, institutions accredited by ACCET may offer programs that have programmatic accreditation through another accrediting agency.

ACCET accredits institutions that offer vocational and/or avocational programs that may include short courses, programs offered at the certificate, diploma, and degree levels, as well as courses and programs offered via interactive distance learning. ACCET does not accredit institutions that offer programs longer than an Associate’s Degree, or institutions that offer cosmetology programs. The following are types of institutions that may be eligible for ACCET accreditation:

• Trade and professional associations
• Private career schools
• Corporate training departments
• Intensive English programs (IEPs)
• Social service, volunteer, and personal development organizations

Please refer to our Accreditation Eligibility page for more information.

While there is no fixed, definitive timeframe for completing the accreditation review process, twelve (12) to eighteen (18) months is a reasonable estimate for an institution committed to a serious investment of the necessary effort and resources. An initial application expires one year from the date of receipt at ACCET, unless officially accepted along with the subsequent receipt of an ASER/BASER, request for on-site visit and fees within that timeframe. Applicants scheduled for an on-site evaluation during a specified review cycle (April, August, or December) are required to timely submit the appropriate documentation and fees. ACCET’s workload and logistical factors may necessitate the rescheduling of the visit(s) for a subsequent review cycle. Please refer to our Schedule of Review for more information.

Please refer to our Accreditation Process page for more information.

The overall cost of the initial application process is determined by the scope of the institution’s programs and the number of its locations. The on-site visit team requires a curriculum specialist for each of the various types of programs offered by the institution, and offering more than one type of program and additional locations will raise the cost of the site visit fees. Please refer to ACCET Document 10 – Fee Schedule for more information.

Costs include the initial inquiry, initial application, workshop attendance, readiness visit, and on-site visit. A member of the ACCET Application Review Committee can help you estimate the total cost more accurately. Please contact us to arrange a time to speak.

Final determination of an institution’s accreditation status is made by the ACCET Accrediting Commission at the end of each accreditation cycle, following review of the site visit team report and any additional information submitted in response to the team report by the institution. At that time, the Commission may vote to approve, defer (until such time as the Commission determines that the institution meets all ACCET requirements), or deny accreditation for the institution.

Attendance at an Accreditation Workshop by a member of the institution is a requirement for those undergoing initial accreditation and for accredited institutions that are in a reaccreditation cycle. During initial accreditation, the applicant cannot attend a workshop until the Initial Inquiry has been approved. It is recommended that the applicant attend prior to the submission of the Application for Accreditation, and attendance is required before the ASER is submitted. Institutions that are undergoing reaccreditation must send a representative from that institution to a workshop prior to the submission of their ASER. The workshops are designed to provide a review of any recent updates to ACCET’s policies and procedures and an in-depth study of the ACCET accreditation process in order to assist the institution in the preparation of the ASER, the on-site evaluation, and the actions of the Commission.

The Analytical Self Evaluation Report (ASER) is a self-study report and part of both the initial accreditation and reaccreditation processes. It is completed by the institution and based on one or more templates (institutional and programmatic) provided by ACCET. The ASER addresses specific questions related to ACCET’s standards and serves as a structured resume on the institution’s history, mission, management, coursework, admissions, academic policies, and quality measures, along with plans for continued improvement and growth. As responses to each of the questions that follow the standards in this guideline are addressed, it should be apparent that the process purposefully provokes a critical self-evaluation that the subsequent on-site review team will be required to verify and/or challenge on the basis of actual operational activities and observable results. During this process, issues may arise that mandate some revision to policies, procedures, and/or practices; this should be viewed as a positive attribute of the accreditation process to inspire self-analysis and improvement. Further, it is designed to be a team effort among all institutional members, requiring a high level of commitment, input, and interaction across a broad cross-section of staff and faculty; questions, ideas, and proposals raised in the course of preparing the ASER are team development opportunities.

No. “Candidate” status is made available by some accrediting agencies for institutions that offer degree-granting programs that are two years or longer in length, and when the length of the accreditation process may be two years or more. These agencies may offer the institution a “candidate” or “pre-accreditation” status with some of the recognition of accreditation, without having completed the accreditation process. ACCET does not recognize “candidate” status or any “pre-accreditation” status that would allow applicants any of the recognition or benefits of accreditation prior to Commission approval and the granting of accreditation.

Prior to the submission of the ASER, any revisions to the information contained in the Application must be accompanied by an addendum to Document 4 – Application for Accreditation, with appropriate exhibits and a narrative explanation accordingly. However, once the ASER has been submitted to ACCET, no substantive changes in the institution’s operations will be processed or further considered for ACCET approval until after the Accrediting Commission has met, reviewed, and taken final action upon the application for initial accreditation. Substantive changes include but are not limited to, new programs, major program/course modifications, additional sites, and relocations out of the general market area. Since the ASER presents a comprehensive picture at a given point in time, the Commission wishes to ensure that the accreditation process is accurately focused on a stable representation of the institution’s operations.

Yes. ACCET currently accredits institutions and their branches in North and South America, Puerto Rico, Europe, and the Middle East.

ACCET accredits institutions offering programs that are taught entirely or in part by interactive distance learning and do not exceed an Associate’s Degree in length.

The Accrediting Commission consists of no fewer than eleven or more than fifteen members. The Accrediting Commission manages the administrative and fiscal affairs of ACCET and serves as the judicial body with final authority to interpret and apply the Standards for Accreditation in determining whether or not an applicant meets the published criteria for accreditation. The Commission decides, based upon the eligibility criteria, whether it is competent to apply the ACCET Standards to specific educational programs. The Commission is responsible for submitting proposed changes in the eligibility requirements and the Standards for Accreditation, to the membership for review and approval. The Commission may adopt such policies and procedures as it deems necessary with regard to the accreditation process. Five members of the Accrediting Commission must be from the public, and unaffiliated with the ACCET membership. Additional public and consumer representatives may be appointed to advise the Commission. Commission meetings are held three times per year, in addition to an annual conference and such special meetings as approved by the Commission in accordance with the ACCET Bylaws.

The ACCET Standards for Accreditation are under constant monitoring and review by the Accrediting Commission and periodically, at intervals no greater than every five years, are submitted to the membership and to other interested parties for review and comment.

ACCET-accredited organizations are authorized to offer the Continuing Education Unit, which is commonly recognized as a standard unit of measure for attributing continuing education and training activities, particularly as it applies to the personal and professional development of adult learners in a formalized, educational setting.

Vocational institutions that are accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education are eligible to seek approval for federal student aid monies, such as Pell Grants, Stafford Loans, Perkins Loans, and Guaranteed Student Loans, dependant upon the length and types of programs offered by the institution. For additional information on Title IV financial aid programs, institutional requirements, and application of a Program Participation Agreement (PPA) with the U.S. Department of Education, please visit their website at www.ed.gov.

The ongoing requirements for accreditation are the submission of annual reports as outlined in ACCET Document 12 – ACCET Annual Reporting Requirements, and the payment of annual sustaining fees as outlined in ACCET Document 10 – Fee Schedule. Please refer to our Maintaining Accreditation page for more information. 

Accreditation can be granted for a minimum of one year but cannot exceed five years. Following the initial grant of accreditation, institutions will be required to apply for reaccreditation by completing the full process, including an application, ASER/BASER(s), and on-site reexamination(s) prior to the expiration date cited in their letter of accreditation from ACCET. Reaccreditation applicants should refer to our Reaccreditation Process page for more information.

ACCET reserves the right to require an on-site examination at any time it determines that circumstances warrant such action.

Please refer to ACCET Document 10 – Fee Schedule for more information.

Please refer to our Reaccreditation Process page for more information.

Please refer to ACCET Document 12 – ACCET Annual Reporting Requirements for more information. 

The determination is made by the Commission, following review and analysis of the team report written following the team visit, and any additional information supplied by the institution in response to that report.

Yes. Accreditation is only granted in terms of one, three, or five years. At the end of an institution’s term of accreditation, it must apply for reaccreditation and repeat the accreditation process to maintain accredited status. An institution may resign its accreditation status at any time, or accreditation may be withdrawn by the Commission should the institution fall out of compliance with ACCET standards.

Why do institutions receive a Quality Assurance Visit (QAV)?

In accordance with ACCET policy, all vocational institutions that are eligible to participate in Title IV (TIV) federal student aid programs are required to undergo a Quality Assurance Visit (QAV) approximately midway through their grant of accreditation. The midpoint QAV supports ACCET’s ongoing oversight responsibilities by serving as a structured check-in between full team visits to confirm continued compliance with ACCET Standards, review key institutional indicators, and assess institutional stability.

I am a non–Title IV institution. Why do I have a QAV?

For non–Title IV institutions, Quality Assurance Visits are Commission-directed. These visits support the Commission’s responsibility to monitor accredited institutions between team visits and to confirm continued compliance with ACCET Standards. The Quality Assurance directive is noted in the institution’s Commission action letter granting accreditation.

Are Quality Assurance Visits announced or unannounced?

In the past, Quality Assurance Visits were unannounced. However, ACCET has updated this approach to foster better collaboration with institutions. Now, institutions usually receive about five (5) business days’ notice before a QAV, giving their leadership time to prepare and actively participate in the visit. In limited circumstances, and when directed by the Commission, a QAV may still be conducted on an unannounced basis.

Are Quality Assurance Visits conducted at all campuses or only the main campus?

Quality Assurance Visits are conducted at the institution’s main campus. While the visit takes place at one location, the discussion and review are institution-wide and may include branch or auxiliary locations as part of the overall operational and compliance review.

Does a QAV apply to branch campuses or auxiliary locations as well as the main campus?

Yes. Although the visit is physically conducted at the main campus, ACCET reviews the institution as a whole. This includes branch campuses and auxiliary classrooms, particularly when reviewing program offerings, enrollment data, and any previously cited weaknesses.

What is the difference between a QAV and a full accreditation visit?

A Quality Assurance Visit does not constitute a comprehensive evaluation of all standards. The primary purpose of the QAV is to confirm continued compliance with ACCET Standards, review key institutional indicators, and assess the institution’s ongoing stability. Its scope and duration are limited, focusing primarily on follow-up on previously identified weaknesses rated 1 or 2 rather than a full review of every ACCET Standard. It does not replace a reaccreditation team visit. QAVs are scheduled for one day and include one team member.

Is this visit in addition to our upcoming reaccreditation visit?

Yes. The Quality Assurance Visit is separate from, and does not replace, any scheduled or future team visit.

What is a typical schedule for a Quality Assurance Visit?

Quality Assurance Visits generally begin at approximately 10:00 am and are scheduled for three (3) to four (4) hours, or longer if necessary, based on the scope of the review. Upon arrival, the ACCET staff member will meet with institutional representatives and establish a work area in the designated office space. The visit typically includes an opening session with institutional leadership, a tour of the facilities, and interviews with senior leadership and key administrative personnel. Periodically throughout the visit, time will be set aside to review documentation and prepare the Quality Assurance Visit report.

What areas are reviewed during a Quality Assurance Visit, and what is the scope of the evaluation?

During the visit, ACCET will conduct a focused review. This includes a follow-up on previously cited weaknesses that received a Rating of 1 or 2; discussion of current program offerings, enrollment trends, and student outcomes; verification of required state and federal approvals; discussion of institutional fiscal resources; and review of any complaints closed with full or partial merit within the institution’s current accreditation period.

If the institution has multiple locations, will branch-specific weaknesses be reviewed separately?

Previously cited weaknesses rated as 1 or 2 are reviewed across all locations. If a branch campus did not present distinct weaknesses in the most recent team report, it will not require a separate discussion during the QAV. Institutions may, however, include a branch-specific narrative if there are material differences from the main campus.

Will the QAV include classroom observations or interviews with faculty or students?

Unless directly related to previously cited weaknesses, Quality Assurance Visits generally do not include classroom observations or interviews with faculty or students.

Who from the institution should plan to participate in the QAV?

There is no need to gather the entire staff for a Quality Assurance Visit. Institutions are encouraged to inform staff of ACCET’s presence; however, interviews and discussions are generally limited to senior leadership and key administrative personnel, including executive leadership, institutional management, compliance staff, and ownership, if they are available.

How Should Institutions Prepare for a Quality Assurance Visit (QAV)?

Preparation for a Quality Assurance Visit (QAV) is intentionally limited and should not create a significant workload for the institution. ACCET views quality assurance as part of a “living accreditation” mindset, in which quality, compliance, and continuous improvement are embedded in an institution’s day-to-day operations rather than addressed only when a review is approaching.

Institutions that maintain this approach are generally well-positioned for a QAV. The visit is not intended to be a comprehensive reaccreditation review but rather a focused discussion of ongoing operations, institutional stability, continued compliance with ACCET Standards, and any significant developments since the last accreditation review.

To facilitate the visit, ACCET may request a limited number of documents in advance, such as current organizational and ownership information, state approvals, and other institutional updates. If the institution received any standards rated as a “1” or “2” during its most recent accreditation or reaccreditation review, ACCET will typically request a brief update on how the approved corrective actions continue to be implemented. The purpose is not to re-evaluate previously accepted responses but to confirm continued implementation and discuss any additional improvements that have occurred since the Commission’s review.

ACCET generally provides institutions with a courtesy notice approximately five business days before the visit. This allows ownership, leadership, and key personnel the opportunity to participate in the discussions if they wish.

In most cases, no special preparation is necessary, other than ensuring that institutional records and practices accurately reflect current operations and ongoing compliance with ACCET requirements.

How much preparation is required?

Preparation requirements are intentionally limited. Institutions are typically asked to submit current documents that reflect ongoing operations and the implementation of previously approved actions, if applicable, as follows:

• Current organizational chart
• Current ownership structure
• Current state approval and licensure documentation
• Eligibility and Certification Approval Report (ECAR) and Program Participation Agreement (PPA), if applicable
• Program chart listing all active programs, clock or credit hours, and current enrollment or most recent graduation date
• Narrative and documentation addressing any previously cited weaknesses with Ratings of 1 or 2, if applicable

When do the documents need to be uploaded?

While institutions are encouraged to upload the required documents as soon as possible, uploading them the day before the visit is acceptable unless otherwise directed.

For institutions with multiple locations, how should program charts be completed?

Institutions with multiple locations may be asked to complete separate program charts for each location. Each chart should reflect active programs at that location and include either current enrollment numbers or the most recent graduation date, as applicable.

If a program has no current enrollment, what information should be provided?

If there are no students currently enrolled in a program, the institution should list the most recent graduation date for that program. This applies to each program and location, as applicable.

Institutions are reminded that, pursuant to ACCET Document 25, an approved program or course must be inactivated by campus if it has not been offered (or will not be offered) for at least 24 consecutive months. Inactivation is also required for all programs/courses that have not had active enrollment for 24 consecutive months. Once a program or course is inactive at all locations, a new program application is required, as outlined in this document.

See ACCET Document 25 – Policy for New, Revised, and Existing Programs/Courses, pg 1.

What accommodations does the ACCET staff member need on the day of the visit?

On the day of the visit, the ACCET staff member’s needs are minimal. In addition to a dedicated workspace for one ACCET staff member and internet access, interviews are often conducted in staff, leadership, or owner offices to facilitate meaningful discussions and gather relevant information.

Is there a visit fee related to the QAV?

Yes. In accordance with ACCET Document 10 – Fee Schedule, a Quality Assurance Visit is considered a special visit and is subject to a fee.

Is there a report issued after the QAV?

Yes. A written Quality Assurance Visit report is prepared after the visit. The report is brief, does not include ratings, and focuses on compliance, the implementation of previously approved actions, and institutional oversight. If any areas are identified that require corrective action, these will be included as findings in the report for the institution to address.

Are findings or corrective actions possible as a result of a QAV?

If corrective action is needed, the items will be listed as findings in the Quality Assurance Visit report. Similar to a standard team visit report, the institution will have fourteen (14) days to reply. A typical response may include updated policies and procedures, documentation, and proof of implementation.

What happens after the institution responds to the QAV report?

The Commission will review the Quality Assurance Visit report and, if required, the institution’s response at its next scheduled Commission meeting. The Commission may accept the report or request additional information regarding the findings.

ACCET-accredited institutions may seek a waiver of part or all of an ACCET Standard, Policy or Procedure through a written request to the Accrediting Commission. Requests for special consideration are reviewed at a scheduled meeting of the Accrediting Commission or by the Executive Committee if needed.

Requests for special consideration must be addressed to the Accrediting Commission, care of the ACCET Executive Director, and must be received no later than 15 business days before the scheduled Commission meeting. They must include the required fee as indicated in ACCET Document 10 – Fee Schedule.

Requests for special consideration must be received no later than 15 business days before the scheduled Commission meeting.

The table below lists the deadlines for requests for special consideration at upcoming Commission meetings:

In a request for special consideration, an institution must provide a clear and compelling rationale as to why it should receive the waiver, along with any relevant documentation in support of its request. 

The request must also include the required fee as indicated in ACCET Document 10 – Fee Schedule.

The institution will be notified in writing of the decision no later than 30 days following the scheduled Commission meeting.