The following NCCA information is available on this page:

 

Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs

Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs(PDF file) © 2005 NOCA

Frequently Asked Questions

Click here to view all Frequently Asked Questions or download a copy of Frequently Asked Questions (PDF file) © 2007 NOCA

Accreditation Application

Accreditation Application for the Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs (Microsoft WordTM document - 419k) © 2005 NOCA

NCCA Sample Accreditation Application

NCCA Sample Accreditation Application (PDF file) © 2005 NOCA

The guide provides examples of the type of documentation expected to demonstrate compliance with the NCCA Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs. Please note that it does not represent the only way to document compliance with the Standards. Each applicant should thoroughly review the documents below. Using the language in this sample is not required for, nor does it guarantee a positive accreditation decision. The sample has three components:

  1. Completed application
  2. Sample appendices
  3. Completed required forms

 

NCCA Accreditation Application Package

Order a copy of the complete NCCA Accreditation Application Package today. The package includes the following items essential to submitting a complete application:

  • NCCA Sample Accreditation Application
  • NCCA General Information Brochure
  • NCCA Standards of Accreditation
  • NCCA Accreditation Application Checklist
  • NCCA Accreditation Application
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • New NCCA Standards: Applications for Results
  • CD from 2003 Annual Educational Meeting)
  • Pre-printed Tabs (to organize each section of the application)

 

All items are shipped in a 4" binder for $150.00. Fax completed order form to 202/367-2165.

 

Electronic Submission Requirements

Effective January 1, 2005, the NCCA will require certification programs applying for accreditation submit the following for review by the NCCA Commission:

  1. Letter of intent 90 days prior to the application deadline. Please note: programs applying for re-accreditation do not need to send in a letter of intent. Letters of intent should be sent to: Jim Kendzel, NCCA Executive Director, 2025 M Street, NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20036
  2. 3 hard copies of completed application form
  3. 3 hard copies of ALL exhibits
  4. 10 compact discs (CDs) with the complete application and ALL exhibits scanned and bookmarked (tabbed) in a PDF file. Please note: The PDF file must be bookmarked (tabbed) to correspond to the tabs in the hard copy application (i.e. Tabs A - HH).

More information on electronic submission requirements is included in the application above. PLEASE NOTE: NCCA must receive a total of 13 copies of each program application, exhibits and required forms.

If you are unable to create a bookmarked pdf, there are companies that can provide these services for you. Or, you can submit a 4th hard copy binder to NCCA which will scan and bookmark your application and appendices for an administrative fee of $250 for every 500 pages (i.e. 1-500 pages are $250, 501-1000 pages are $500, etc).

 

Annual Report

The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) requires that each accredited organization/program complete an annual report form to enable the NCCA to monitor continuing compliance with NCCA Standards. The annual report form is required to maintain accreditation for several reasons, including:

 

  • To document compliance with NCCA Standard 21.
  • To keep organizations with NCCA accredited programs continually aware of the NCCA Standards.
  • To provide organizations the opportunity to receive feedback on any changes that may affect their accreditation status, and receive suggested actions to take to maintain compliance with NCCA Standards.

 

Organizations with NCCA accredited programs can click here to download the 2006 annual report form.

Application Fees

Effective January 1, 2007:

NOCA Member, organization with no currently accredited programs

$1,000/submission

Non-member, organization with no currently accredited programs

$1,600/submission

Organization with accredited programs

$200/submission

Accreditation renewal application

$0

All application fees are non-refundable.

Accreditation Fees

Effective January 1, 2006:

Organization with up to two accredited programs

$3,500/year

Each additional accredited program

$700/year

Maximum accreditation fee

$7,000/year

The accreditation fee includes membership in the National Organization for Competency Assurance.

 




Other Information

NCCA policies are available on request by contacting the NOCA office.

Important copyright notice for persons who use this Web site.

NCCA Standards

The first NCCA Standards were issued in the late 1970s. Since that time, the NCCA observed fundamental changes in the nature, scope, and importance of certification. In keeping with its service to the public and to various other stakeholders of professional certification, and in order to address changes in certification, NCCA undertook the review and revision of its accreditation standards. The standards revision project began in 1997 and involved numerous NOCA members, representatives from a multitude of NCCA accredited organizations, the public and other interested parties. The process for drafting revised Standards included a survey that initially provided impartial direction to the revision process, a thorough review of current law and judicial decisions, as well as an assessment of the procedures other accrediting bodies employed to develop, implement and promulgate new standards. Input from the certification field was continuous, with several comment periods and open forums. The revised NCCA Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs were approved in February 2002 and will be in full effect January 1, 2003.

If you do not have Microsoft Word, you can view Word documents by downloading the Microsoft Word Viewer here.
To view and print PDF files you must have the FREE Adobe Acrobat Reader loaded on your computer. Click on the logo to the left to download the Adobe Acrobat Reader.