How long does the accreditation process take?
Completing and submitting the CAAHEP Request for Accreditation Services “triggers” the accreditation process. However, the actual process does not begin until the program has submitted its self-study to the appropriate Committee on Accreditation (CoA), all applicable fees have been paid, and a site visit scheduled. It is important to understand that the process varies greatly based on the overall readiness of the program, the quality of the self-study submitted, the availability of site visitors and the schedule of Committee on Accreditation meetings. Although the CAAHEP Board of Directors reviews accreditation recommendations 6 times per year, many CoAs meet only once or twice during the year.
This mainly depends on how long it takes the Training organisation to map it’s qualifications to EHFA standards and competencies. Once EHFA receive the completed documentation, this is reviewed within 3 weeks.A mutually convenient date for an accreditation visit is then arranged. The visit date must coincide with practical assessments so this may be a factor that affects timescales for accreditation. On average, a period of 3-4 months would be a realistic timeframe for a Training Organisation to become accredited.
