Reaccreditation Process

Applying for reaccreditation requires the submission of ACCET Document 4 – Application for Accreditation, supporting documentation, and a processing fee. Acceptance of the application is not an indication or assessment of the institution’s compliance with Standards for Accreditation but simply an initial indicator of congruence with the eligibility requirements.

All applicants for reaccreditation are required to send at least one representative of the institution to the ACCET Accreditation Workshop before submitting their Analytic Self-Evaluation Report (ASER). The workshop is designed to provide an in-depth study of the ACCET accreditation process to assist the institution in preparing  for the ASER and on-site evaluation, and in understanding the Commission’s actions.

Following acceptance of the application and participation in the Accreditation Workshop, the institution will complete and submit to ACCET the Analytic Self-Evaluation Report (ASER).

After the ASER is received, arrangements are made for an examination team to conduct an on-site visit. Examination team members are selected based on the unique characteristics of the institution and the program(s) to be evaluated. Examination teams vary in size and composition depending on the focus and complexity of the applicant’s program(s). Team members are assigned various individual responsibilities depending upon their area(s) of expertise, with one team member serving as chairperson. The team typically includes a Commission Representative, a Management Specialist, and a Curriculum Specialist, as needed.

The on-site examination team visit is a fact-finding initiative on behalf of the Accrediting Commission. The primary responsibility of the team during the visit is to establish an objective, comparative analysis of the institution’s ASER and the operational characteristics relevant to each of the ACCET Document 2 – Standards for Accreditation, as demonstrated by actual practices. Team members will seek to verify the accuracy and validity of the information and data contained in the ASER through inquiry, observation, and documentation review. Both administrative and educational activities are reviewed in the context of the ACCET standards, policies, and procedures.

The on-site examination team prepares a report of the visit and submits it to the ACCET office for processing. A copy of this report is sent to the applicant institution around 30 days after the end of the visit via AMS, to submit additional documentation pertinent to factors existing at the time of the visit, for consideration by the Accrediting Commission.

The Accrediting Commission meets periodically to review and evaluate institutions, and may accredit for a period up to five years, defer accreditation pending further evidence or required changes, deny accreditation, or withdraw accreditation from an institution that is currently accredited. A written report of the Commission’s decision is sent to the applicant within 30 days from the conclusion of the Commission meeting. ACCET publishes Commission Reports summarizing actions taken at recent Commission Meetings.

ACCET Staff are available to answer questions or provide guidance about the process at any time during the institution’s reaccreditation process.