Apply for Accreditation

Applications are accepted 3 times annually, known as application cycles. First time
applicants may be accredited for up to 2 years. Renewing applicants may be accredited for
up to 4 years. Organizations must reapply prior to the end of each term.

NCPD Accreditation Resources

The NCPD Accreditation Resources can be downloaded as a PDF using the links below:

Writing to the ANCC NCPD Accreditation Criteria Self-Learning Guide and/or ANCC NCPD
Accredited Provider Applicant Journey Guide.

There are three ways to award ANCC contact hours (nursing continuing professional
development (NCPD) credit) for successful completion of continuing professional
development or education activities. An organization can become an Accredited Provider of
continuing nursing education, an Approved Provider through a constituent and state nursing
association or submit an individual activity to an ANCC Accredited Approver.

Note: An ineligible company is not eligible to award nursing continuing professional

development credit. An ineligible company company is defined as any entity either
producing, marketing, re-selling or distributing healthcare goods or services consumed by,
or used on, patients or that is owned or controlled by an entity the produces, markets, re-
sells, or distributes healthcare goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients.

Examples of such organizations include:

For more information please visit the Standards for Integrity and Independence in
Accredited Continuing Education.

Become an Accredited Provider

1. Download the ANCC NCPD Accredited Provider Applicant Journey Guide and
the Writing to the ANCC NCPD Accreditation Criteria Self-Learning Guide.
2. Determine your organization's readiness to apply. Note: Infrastructure to implement
ANCC NCPD criteria must be operating within your organization for at least 6 months to
be eligible.
3. Review due dates and choose an application cycle.
4. Review fees and payment instructions.
5. To apply, contact the Accreditation staff on how to register your organization in
our Primary Accreditation Online Application Review System (PAORS).
6. Complete the application and eligibility information by the due date shown below. You
will receive access to the Self-Study template after submission of your application.

https://www.nursingworld.org/organizational-programs/accreditation/ncpd/apply/ taken 12/11/2022

7. Pay fee. ANCC will invoice your organization upon submission of the application, via
email. Payment is due within 30 calendar days.
8. Upload evidence of compliance with the ANCC NCPD Accreditation criteria, known as
the Self-Study, outlined in the ANCC NCPD Accredited Provider Applicant Journey
Guide and Writing to the ANCC NCPD Accreditation Criteria Self-Learning Guide.
9. Upload the required documents by your cycle due dates.
10. Participate in a virtual organization visit with ANCC Appraisers who evaluate documents
and clarify, verify and amplify information revealed in the Self-Study.

***The Commission on Accreditation reviews the appraisal and makes a final decision.
Applicants are notified via letter.***

Accredited Provider Application Forms

• CE Activity Summary [xls]

• Register for PAORS

Application Cycles & Due Dates

MARCH CYCLE JULY CYCLE NOVEMBER CYCLE

Application Due* November 1 March 1 July 1
Self-Study Due March 1 July 1 November 1
Virtual Visit Date March 15 - June 15 July 15 - October 15 November 15 - February 15
Final Decision June 1 - September 1 October 1 - January 1 February 1 - May 1

*Applicants are invoiced upon receipt of application. Payment is due within 30 days
of receipt of invoice.

Accredited Provider Expedited Review Process

ANCC NCPD is now offering an Expedited Review option for those organizations that would
like to go through an accreditation outside of a review cycle.

• Organizations that are determined eligible may now go through an expedited review in
up to 90 days.

Steps for Expedited Review Process

1. Download a copy of ANCC NCPD Accredited Provider Applicant Journey Guide and
Writing to the ANCC NCPD Accreditation Criteria Self-Learning Guide using the links
above.

2. Determine your organization's readiness to apply. Note: Infrastructure to implement

ANCC criteria must be operating within your organization for at least 6 months to be eligible.

https://www.nursingworld.org/organizational-programs/accreditation/ncpd/apply/ taken 12/11/2022

3. Expedited review fee of $1500 is in addition to the application fee. Review fees and
payment instructions.

o ANCC will invoice your organization upon submission of the application, via email.
o Pay all fees, including the expedited fee.
o Payment is due prior to submission of the self-study.

4. Complete an Intent to Apply to register your organization in our new Primary

Accreditation Online Application Review System (PAORS).

o Work with the accreditation team to determine a timeline and due dates.

5. Complete the application and eligibility information by the agreed due dates. You will
receive access to the Self-Study template after submission of your application.

o Appraiser team will be assigned.

6. Upload evidence of compliance with the ANCC Accreditation criteria, known as the Self-
Study, outlined in the ANCC NCPD Accredited Provider Applicant Journey Guide and
Writing to the ANCC NCPD Accreditation Criteria Self-Learning Guide

7. Upload the required documents by your determined timeline.

8. Participate in a virtual organization visit with ANCC Appraisers who evaluate documents
and clarify, verify, and amplify information revealed in the Self-Study.

***The Commission on Accreditation (COA) reviews the appraisal and makes a final
decision. Applicants are notified of the COA accreditation decision in a letter via
email.***

Sample Expedited Timeline

September 1 - Schedule and complete self-study conference call

December 15
January 5 Submit application to the ANCC Accreditation Program in PAORS
January 15 Activities selected by ANCC, Activity letter to be emailed
February 15 Appraiser Team selected
February 20 Deadline for request to have an appraiser member changed
March 1 Upload self-study documents in PAORS*
March 15-April 8 Virtual site visit (telephone conference call with Appaiser Team)
By May 15 Final accreditation decision made by the Commission on NCPD
*The actual timeline of the submission of your organization's documents will be
determined on a call with a member of the ANCC team and then emailed to you.

https://www.nursingworld.org/organizational-programs/accreditation/ncpd/apply/ taken 12/11/2022