Eligibility Requirements

Before the Commission will accept an institution’s initial Application for Accreditation, the institution must demonstrate that it satisfies all the ICHE Accreditation Handbook’s qualifying requirements. The criteria consist of the following:

• The institution is private and independent. No U.S. schools that are public may be considered.  Consideration may be given to public institutions if they are non-U.S.-based.

• The institution must be licensed, approved, exempted, or approved by the appropriate state educational institution authorities (or its equivalent for non-U.S. institutions).

• Comparative audited or reviewed financial accounts provide evidence that the institution is financially sound.

• The name being utilized by the institution is unaffiliated with any behavior that might harm the Commission’s reputation.

• The institution, its owners, governing board members, executives, and administrators have impeccable reputations and a history of ethical behavior.

ICHE may conduct a background check on the institution’s owners, officials, and management as part of the application process.

Authorization

ICHE-accredited institutions and institutions seeking ICHE accreditation must be licensed, allowed, exempted, or approved by the relevant state educational institutional authority (or its equivalent for non-U.S. institutions). Additionally, the institution must comply with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations.

State Authorization: Familiarity with state authorization of institutions offered in the United States is essential. It is the responsibility of institutions to comply with these state rules and regulations. On the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) website, you may find vital information on state authorization.

Certain professions, including nursing, education, law, engineering, and veterinary medicine, need licensure prior to admittance into the field. Institutions should be aware of specialist accreditation criteria and whether state authorization is necessary for graduates to be eligible for licensure examinations.

The National Association of State Administrators and Supervisors of Private Schools (NASASPS) provides updated state regulation information and important tools.

The ICHE Accreditation Handbook provides more information on the ICHE’s licensing and state authorization criteria.