[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Did you know that attending an unaccredited education program can prevent you from getting employed, transferring to another school, or receiving financial aid?[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Also, in some states, nursing graduates are denied the chance to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) if they have not attended an accredited program. And taking the exam in another state is not permitted.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/resources//what-is-accreditation/”]Nursing school accreditation[/hen-ui-link] ensures that healthcare institutions, programs, or services measure up to peer-reviewed objective standards of excellence. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) are the primary accrediting bodies for registered nurses and graduate nursing programs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) are also important accrediting bodies. However, they typically would not be sufficient for RN and graduate nursing programs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Understanding accreditation and its benefits can help a registered nurse, licensed practical/vocational nurse, certified medical assistant, or certified nurse assistant choose their ideal program.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Read on to understand the most suitable options for your education goals.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Is ABHES?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]ABHESis officially recognizedby the U.S. Secretary of Education as a private, nonprofit, independent accrediting agency. It is acknowledged as a national leader in quality healthcare education accreditation.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.abhes.org/” target=”_blank”]its website[/hen-ui-link], “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.”[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Recognition, resources, and service are the three fundamental aspects of ABHES based on its goals. They are key to fulfilling its mission.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]For an aspiring [hen-ui-link href=”/registered-nursing/”]registered nurse[/hen-ui-link], ABHES accreditation can be institutional through continuous enhancement of the institution’s quality. It can also be a programmatic (or specialized) accreditation through evaluating a healthcare program’s accountability.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Health professionals can choose from a variety of ABHES institutions or specific programs within a school. The minimal ABHES accreditation standards include:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Goals and oversight[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Curriculum, competencies, and clinical experience[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Instruction[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Student assessment[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Program management and faculty[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Safety[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Student and graduate services[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Disclosures[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Student achievement and program effectiveness[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Student record management[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Is CAAHEP?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]CAAHEP is the largest programmatic accrediting body and concentrates on career-specific schools or health science programs offered by an educational institution, like a nursing or medical assisting program.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.caahep.org/Home.aspx” target=”_blank”]Its website[/hen-ui-link] states, “In collaboration with its Committees on Accreditation, CAAHEP reviews and accredits over 2,100 individual education programs in 32 health science occupations. CAAHEP accredited programs are assessed on an ongoing basis to assure that they meet the Standards and Guidelines of each profession.”[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]CAAHEP recognizes its core values as integrity, collaboration, accountability, and consensus.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]RNs and other healthcare disciplines can select a specific program from the list of accredited programs on the site. For a [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/medical-assistant/”]certified medical assistant[/hen-ui-link](CMA), the Medical Assisting Education Review Board recommends accreditation programs to the CAAHEP. These standards and guidelines are the minimum program requirements:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Sponsorship[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Program goals[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Resources[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Student and graduate evaluation/assessment[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Fair practices[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Why Is Accreditation Important?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]ABHES- and CAAHEP-accredited schools and programs are in compliance with national common quality standards and guidelines. There are many advantages to nursing and medical assistant students attending accredited programs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Benefits to accreditation include:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Ensures the program or school is sticking to minimum quality standards[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Validates graduates and gives them a stamp of approval[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Encourages the institution to plan and evaluate goals and adhere to continuous improvement to the program[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Offers leading-edge and current nursing theory and best practices for medical assistants[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Can transfer credits to accredited schools[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Leads to more job prospects since many employers do not recognize degrees from unaccredited programs[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Can get licensure from [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//what-is-the-role-of-the-state-board-of-nursing/”]state boards of nursing[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Can receive federal financial aid or tuition reimbursement[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What to Look For in a Health Education Program[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As a prospective student, understanding what the program will prepare you for and the clinical training you will receive is important. Key areas include:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Human anatomy, physiology, and pathology[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Medical terminology[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Keyboarding and computer applications[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Record keeping and accounting[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Coding and insurance processing[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Laboratory techniques[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Clinical and diagnostic procedures[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Pharmacology[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Medication administration[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]First aid[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Office practices[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Patient relations[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-icon icon=”minus-sm” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Medical law and ethics[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In addition to graduating from an accredited institution, healthcare graduates should consider certification before entering their career. Having a certificate in your field is an influential factor and validates your expert knowledge and skills.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The exam you sit for is determined by your[hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/applying-to-nursing-school/”] nursing program and career path[/hen-ui-link]. The NCLEX-RN exam is designated for RNs. The NCLEX-PN is the exam assigned for a [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/lpn-lvn/”]licensed practical nurse[/hen-ui-link], sometimes called a licensed vocational nurse.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A medical assistant will become certified after passing the CMA exam from the American Association of Medical Assistants. A [hen-ui-link href=”/cna/”]certified nursing assistant[/hen-ui-link] (CNA) must pass the CNA exam to get certification.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Accreditation for Nursing Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]RN programs should be accredited by either the CCNE or ACEN. ([hen-ui-link href=”/nurse-midwife/best-online-nurse-midwife-programs/”]Nurse midwifery programs[/hen-ui-link] and nurse anesthetist programs are accredited by other organizations.)[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Both the ACEN and CCNE accredit nursing programs. Their standards for nursing programs are closely equivalent. In terms of program quality, there is no difference.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The only distinction that might matter to students is that the CCNE only accredits bachelor’s and master’s programs. ACEN accredits all levels of nursing programs from practical to doctorate.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Other Types of Nursing Accrediting Bodies[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In addition to the ACEN and CCNE, the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs and the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education also provide nursing accreditation to nurse anesthesia and nurse midwifery programs, respectively.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Prospective nursing students should attend a college or university that has been accredited by one of the accrediting bodies recognized by the United States Department of Education. You can search the [hen-ui-link href=”https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home” target=”_blank”]Department of Education’s[/hen-ui-link] listing of accredited schools online.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ style=”margin-top:2em”]Health Education Program Accreditation FAQ[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]What is an accredited program?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A program is accredited when its curriculum and services are approved and measure up to the common higher quality standards of a profession.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]How do I know if a program is accredited?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]To determine accreditation of a program, explore the school’s website for a link to their accreditation status, research the program on the ABHES or CAAHEP website, or search the database on the U.S. Department of Educationor [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.chea.org/university-maryland-baltimore” target=”_blank”]Council for Higher Education Accreditation [/hen-ui-link]sites.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]What is ABHES and CAAHEP?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]ABHES and CAAHEP are two nationally recognized accrediting bodies that ensure that educational institutions and health sciences programs are operating within the scope of specific standards and guidelines required for quality.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-icon icon=”circle-help” color=”primary” aria-hidden=”true” /]Is ABHES better than CAAHEP?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]ABHES and CAAHEP are both respectable national accreditors. They operate in a similar fashion concerning goals and their visions align. One distinction is that ABHES serves as both an institutional accreditor and a programmatic accrediting body, while CAAHEP is solely an institutional accrediting organization.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ tag=”em”]Page last reviewed March 10, 2022[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Sources[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]What is CAAHEP? (2022).[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.caahep.org/Home.aspx” target=”_blank”]https://www.caahep.org/Home.aspx[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Leading health education accreditation. (2022).[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.abhes.org” target=”_blank”]https://www.abhes.org[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Related Resources[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”34438,34233,34222,38809″][/hen-ui-article-row]