Generally, the initial application process takes between 18 to 24 months for institutional applicants and usually up to 12 months for programmatic applicants. There are two travel cycle per year, each followed by a Commission meeting. An initial institutional applicant is required to undergo two on-site visits; 1) a preliminary visit, and 2) a full team visit. Programmatic applicants are not required to undergo a preliminary visit.

The preliminary visit is conducted following receipt of the DRAFT SER as a means of ensuring that the institution complies with all eligibility criteria and is in substantial compliance with ABHES standards. It is also a time for the institution to address any questions or concerns with staff in a consultative manner.

Should it be determined on the preliminary visit that your institution is not in substantial compliance with the ABHES Standards, submission of the FINAL SER will be postponed and the institution may be required to undergo a second preliminary visit; thus, delaying the accreditation process.

*Note for programmatic applicants: At the time of the on-site visit pursuant to Chapter II.B.5 of the Accreditation Manual, at the time of the visit, the program will have student participation in clinical experience activities, as applicable, to permit evaluation of program operations and of student progress, satisfaction, and retention. In addition, the program will have enrolled students who have completed at least 50% of the program, or at least 25% percent of the core coursework.

The application and review process is as follows (see the Application Process link for details):

1) Application submission

2) Self Evaluation Report (SER) provided for completion (Upon acceptance of the application)

3) Attendance at an ABHES Accreditation Workshop, usually held in the months of February, April, September, and October of each year)

4) Undergo a preliminary visit (following attendance at the accreditation workshop and submission of the DRAFT Self Evaluation Report (SER)) – Institutional Applicants Only; Optional for Programmatic Applicants

5) FINAL SER submission (May 1 and November 1 of each year)

6) Undergo full on-site team visit (1st Cycle: Jan-May; 2nd Cycle: August – November)

7) Response to team reports (3 weeks from receipt of completed reports)

8) Review and action by the Commission at either of its two meetings held in January and July of each year.

ABHES is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as both an institutional and specialized programmatic accrediting agency with scope that focuses on health care education and training. Generally, schools that wish to seek institutional accreditation are not currently accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Schools wishing to seek programmatic accreditation are already accredited by a recognized agency, but are interested in graduates of either a Medical Assistant, Medical Laboratory Technology and/or Surgical Technology program the eligibility to sit for various credentialing exams in such fields.

Schools wishing to seek institutional accreditation must offer at least 70% health education, which is defined as an educational institution that offers programs predominantly in the health education field. An institution meets this requirement if (1) 70 percent or greater of its full-time equivalent students are enrolled in the health programs, or (2) 70 percent of its active programs are in the health education field, provided that a majority of an institution’s full-time equivalent students are enrolled in those programs. A program is active if it has a current student enrollment and is seeking to enroll students. Institutional applicants must evidence that it meets all of the eligibility criteria outlined in Chapter II, Section A, Institutional Eligibility of the Accreditation Manual.

An institution wishing to seek initial institutional accreditation must ensure that it complies with the eligibility requirements outlined in Chapter II, Section A of the ABHES Accreditation Manual.  When the institution determines that it meets and can document compliance with all of the eligibility criteria, visit https://www.abhes.org/apply-for-institutional-accreditation for detailed application instructions.

After the required information has been reviewed, the institution will be informed of its status and visitation requirements, and will be directed to complete a Self-Evaluation Report (SER).  The institution will also be required to submit an audited financial statement  to contain the elements included on the Audited Financial Review Sheet.  A grant of accreditation will be contingent upon receipt, review and approval of the audited statement. 

In addition, initial applicants are also required to attend an Accreditation Workshop within 12 months of submission of the SER.  The individual(s) designated to attend the workshop must be employed by the institution and directly involved in the accreditation and self-evaluation process (e.g., school director, director of education, dean, etc.).  See the Workshop Listing for dates and times of upcoming workshops and to register online.

An institution wishing to seek initial programmatic accreditation must ensure that the program(s) (i.e., Medical Assistant, Medical Laboratory Technology, and/or Surgical Technology) complies with the programmatic eligibility requirements outlined in Chapter II, Section B of the ABHES Accreditation Manual.  NOTE: Institutions that are currently institutionally accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA); a hospital or laboratory-based training school; or a program in a Veteran’s Administration (VA) hospital, a rehabilitation facility, or a federally-sponsored Armed Forces program, can seek programmatic accreditation for one or more of the following programs: Medical Assisting, Medical Laboratory Technology, and/or Surgical Technology. Once the institution confirms and is able to document its program(s)’ compliance with the programmatic eligibility criteria, visit https://www.abhes.org/apply-for-programmatic-accreditation for detailed application instructions.

In addition, initial applicants are also required to attend an Accreditation Workshop within 12 months of submission of the SER.  The individual(s) designated to attend the workshop must be employed by the institution and directly involved in the accreditation and self-evaluation process (e.g., director of education, program director, etc.).  See the Workshop Listing for dates and times of upcoming workshops and to register online.

The accreditation workshop is open to all and it is required of any institution/program seeking an initial or renewed grant of accreditation. A representative from each campus location, if seeking institutional accreditation, or each program, if seeking programmatic accreditation is required to attend an Accreditation Workshop prior to submission of the Self Evaluation Report (SER). The individual(s) designated to attend the workshop must be employed by the institution and directly involved in the accreditation and self-evaluation process (e.g., school director, director of education, program director, etc.). The workshop attendance is valid for a one year period during the initial application process. In the event of a delay in the process a second attendance workshop at an accreditation workshop may be required. There are approximately four accreditation workshops held each year in February, April, September, and October. See the Listing of Workshops for details and to register online.

Upon receiving a grant of initial accreditation, an annual sustaining fee is assessed each year of the length of the grant awarded by the Commission.  See Appendix G of the Accreditation Manual for a complete listing of all User fees and the Annual Sustaining Fee Schedule.

Schools seeking accreditation for the first time should consider the following expenses when budgeting:

INSTITUTIONAL APPLICANTS:

As a leader in health education accreditation for over 40 years, ABHES has been nationally recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a private, non-profit, independent accrediting agency since 1968. It has been at the forefront of advancing the quality of health education programs throughout the country.

ABHES enhances the quality of education and training and promotes institutional and programmatic accountability through systematic and consistent program evaluation. Its key is to assure the quality of the programs it accredits, and assist in the improvement of the programs. This quality-determination is accomplished by rigorous and systematic evaluation based on valid standards.

The goals of ABHES focus on three key areas: recognition, resources, and service; all of which it believes are essential and paramount to achieving its mission.

ABHES-member institutions offer predominantly health education programs and/or medical assistant, medical laboratory technology, and/or surgical technology programs leading to a certificate, diploma, Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Occupational Science, Academic Associate , or Baccalaureate degree, including those offered via distance education. Graduates of an ABHES-accredited institution or program are eligible to sit for various credentialing exams optimizing a graduates’ marketability.

ABHES accreditation allows the opportunity for enhancement in that institutions experience the ability to identify strengths and areas in need of improvement for greater institutional/program effectiveness through dynamic workshops, staff assisted self-study, and site visits by experienced and credentialed health specialists.

As a recognized accrediting agency by the U.S. Secretary of Education, ABHES is deemed to be a reliable authority concerning the quality of education or training offered by the institutions of higher education or higher education programs it accredits. Institutional accreditation by ABHES may be used to establish eligibility to participate in Title IV programs. ABHES does not process, assist or have any decision-making abilities regarding schools seeking to participate in Title IV funding. Institutionally-accredited member schools interested in Title IV funding must contact the U.S. Department of Education directly at www.ed.gov.

An institution must submit an audited financial statement by June 30 or December 31 depending on the Commission meeting where the school’s file is to be reviewed. A grant of accreditation will be contingent upon receipt, review and approval of the audited statements.

In an effort to assess an initial applicant’s eligibility with ABHES, each applicant should meet the minimum financial stability eligibility requirements stated below.

Initial applicant institutions must submit audited financial statements, which include a balance sheet, an income statement covering a twelve-month period, a statement of cash flows, and all appropriate disclosures (including footnotes). These financial statements must be prepared by an outside agency or individual according to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) on an accrual basis.

The audited financial statement must contain the elements included on the Audited Financial Review Sheet.

Per the ABHES Accreditation Manual, the following financial standards are required:

SECTION B – Financial Capability 

IV.B.1. An institution demonstrates that it has the financial resources to ensure continuity of operation and to fulfill its obligations to students and employees. 

The financial well-being of an institution requires regular oversight by management. The institution demonstrates it has revenues and assets available to meet the institution’s responsibilities, including continuity of service and the accomplishment of overall educational objectives.  Institutions will submit audited financial statements.  Factors to be considered include but are not limited to ratio of current assets to current liabilities for the most recent operating year; history of operating results; and net worth.