Recognized Institutional Accrediting Agencies

Referring to Standard I.A.1.
Access the website listing agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education

Referring to Standard I.A.3.
For health care organization accreditation, those accrediting agencies need to have “deeming authority” from the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). There are many categories for those agencies. Learn more here: “Policy and Requirements for an Application for Approval of an Accreditation Program.”

The CAAHEP Standards for Sponsorship states:
I. Sponsorship
A. Sponsoring Institution

A sponsoring institution must be at least one of the following, and must either award credit for the program or have an articulation agreement with an accredited post-secondary institution:

1. A post-secondary academic institution accredited by an institutional accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and authorized under applicable law or other acceptable authority to provide a post-secondary program, which awards a minimum of a diploma/certificate at the completion of the program.
2. A foreign post-secondary academic institution acceptable to CAAHEP, which is authorized under applicable law or other acceptable authority to provide a postsecondary program, which awards a minimum of a certificate/diploma at the completion of the academic program.
3. A hospital, clinic or medical center accredited by a healthcare accrediting agency or equivalent that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and authorized under applicable law or other acceptable authority to provide healthcare, and authorized under applicable law or other acceptable authority to provide the post-secondary program, which awards a minimum of a diploma/certificate at the completion of the program.
4. A governmental (i.e., state, county, or municipal) educational or governmental medical service, and which is authorized by the State to provide initial educational programs, and authorized under applicable law or other acceptable authority to provide the post-secondary program, which awards a minimum of a diploma/certificate at the completion of the program.
5. A branch of the United States Armed Forces or other Federal agency, which awards a minimum of a certificate/diploma at the completion of the program.