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Eligibility for Accreditation Review

Eligibility Requirements

Application for Accreditation for Postgraduate NP, PA, or joint NP/PA Training Programs should be completed by the primary sponsoring organization. Postgraduate NP, PA, or Joint NP/PA Training Programs must meet the following basic criteria in order to be eligible for consideration of Accreditation:

The sponsoring organization must be located within the US and operate Postgraduate NP, PA, or Joint NP/PA Training Programs in settings that may include but are not limited to:

  • Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and FQHC look-­‐alike organizations
  • Nurse managed health centers
  • Other safety net settings such as the Indian Health Service
  • Veterans Health Administration system
  • Integrated Health Systems
  • Private clinic systems and practices
  • Academic health centers/medical centers, both public and private
  • Academic Institutions

The sponsoring organization must hold and maintain a current accreditation and/or certification by an entity that recognizes quality and safety of care, or provide evidence that the organization demonstrates quality and safety of care. These entities may include but are not limited to:

  • A nationally recognized regional or specialized/professional accrediting agency that accredits the institution of higher education that offers the postgraduate training program
  •  Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC)
  • The Joint Commission, with specific accreditation under the Standard applicable to the practice site of the postgraduate residency training program

Program postgraduate trainees must be:

  • A graduate of an accredited Nurse Practitioner program who has earned either a Master of Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice. The educational program should be accredited by CCNE or ACEN
  • Board certified (by ANCC or AANP) and license eligible as an advance practice nurse in the state in which the program is located by a date determined by the Program in accordance with the planned program curriculum
  • PA must hold a masters of Physician Assistant Studies or Certificate
  • PA must hold certification with the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
  • The PA educational program should be accredited by ARC-PA

Updated and Approved on 11/20/2024