Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions about IACET Accreditation
Does IACET certify professional entities or instructors?
No. IACET is an accrediting body that accredits organizations that provide education and training that seek to become an IACET Accredited Provider (AP) following a rigorous peer-reviewed evaluation of their training program. IACET accreditation involves subject matter expertise, quality control, and standard compliance regarding an organization’s continuing education and training processes and policies. IACET accreditation is grounded in instructional design principles, andragogy, and implementation of learning events (i.e., courses, conferences, workshops, etc).
What is the cost to become an IACET Accredited Provider?
The 2018 Standard and Application bundle fee is $495. Once the application is submitted for review, applicants will be prompted to pay a $4,290 accreditation review fee, plus the first year’s annual dues of $1,095, for a total of $5,385. For reaccreditation, which occurs every five years, the accreditation review fee is $3,275. Please note that although the application fee and accreditation review fee are non-refundable, first-year dues are refundable if the application is denied or withdrawn.
How long does the application process take?
There are factors that can impact time to completion, such as the current state of organizational policies, processes and priorities within the training program, the level of expertise, the amount of manpower to work on the application, and other variables. In our experience, the average completion time is 4-6 months. Applications that do not require further review within the process can be completed within 3 months.
How much assistance can I expect from staff while I am applying?
Staff can assist with general questions about the application (e.g., fees, what to expect, and in other administrative capacities). While they cannot answer specific questions about The Standard, they can clarify what is being asked for a given element within The Standard. Upon receipt of the application, two reviewers will be assigned, and applicants can direct any such questions. Therefore, staff will not advise, recommend, or “walk” an applicant through a process. As an accrediting body, our process must be void of any bias to ensure fairness, impartiality, objectiveness, and a genuine representation of the applying organization.
Does IACET provide consultants to assist with the application?
While IACET does not provide or refer consultants, applicants are able to engage a consultant at will.
What happens during the site visit?
The site visit is the final stage in the review process where the applicant provides further clarification or evidence with regard to the application. While the site visit usually takes place in-person, IACET has implemented virtual visits in the wake of COVID-19. Prior to the site visit, applicants will be made aware of additional information needed and how to prepare for the meeting. The site visitor is not permitted to adjudicate the result of the visit with the applicant. Upon completion of the site review, the site and lead reviewers will meet after the visit to produce a final report, which is then sent to the applicant.
What happens if my organization becomes accredited with just in-person courses but later decides to offer online courses? Can I still issue CEUs for distance learning?
Yes. Once accredited, providers may issue the IACET CEU for any learning event that complies by the ANSI/IACET 1-2018 Standard. To be clear, The Standard is the same regardless of the delivery format. A provider may change the delivery format of any IACET CEU-granting learning event as long as the event is developed in compliance with the standard and then noted in the annual report and during re-accreditation.
How are IACET CEUs calculated?
The formula is 10 contact hours of instruction = 1 IACET CEU. Another way to look at this is 1 contact hour = 0.1 CEU. 0.1 CEU is the minimum to issue per segment. Sessions that end prior to half past the hour are rounded down to the previous hour. Sessions of 30 minutes or more past the hour are rounded up to the next hour (i.e., 1 hour and 21 minutes would round down to 0.1 CEUs, while 6 hours and 38 minutes would round up to 0.7 CEUs).
Breaks, non-working lunches, and introductions that do not directly pertain to the course content are not counted toward CEU hours. These exceptions must be subtracted from the total issuable.
What is necessary to maintain my accreditation?
In addition to ensuring your processes and policies comply with the ANSI/IACET 1-2018 Standard, APs must submit an annual report (detailed information on select data points) and the annual dues ($1,095). Both annual requirements become available through the IACET portal 90 days prior to the due date.
I need a copy of my certificate from a training I took. Can IACET issue this to me?
No. IACET does not maintain learner records. IACET is the accrediting body, which means organizations obtain IACET accreditation in order to issue IACET CEUs. Learners should contact the training provider for copies. IACET APs are fully responsible for maintaining learner records for at least seven years.
Visit https://www.iacet.org/ce-t-accreditation/frequently-asked-questions/ for additional FAQs.