The 2023 ACOTE Standards are now in effect. Please ensure you are using the correct Standards.
ANNUAL FEES
Due October 15, 2025, from accredited programs, including the year in which an on-site evaluation is scheduled. Invoices for the annual fees have been e-mailed to program directors. If you have not received an invoice, contact the accreditation department at accred@aota.org. For new programs, the annual fee is effective with the first full academic year for which the program has accreditation status. See the current Fee Schedule (ACOTE Policy V.A. Fees).
ANNUAL REPORT
The annual report will be sent out in November with a due date in February. You will receive a link to complete a survey (same as last year).
POLICY CHANGES
ACOTE Policy IV.C. Classification of Accreditation Categories
ACOTE updated the terminology used in the accreditation categories. Programs undergoing reaccreditation that have one or more areas of noncompliance may now be awarded Continuing Accreditation with Conditions, replacing the previous category Continuing Accreditation with Warning. This change was made in response to consumer feedback and is intended to reduce the perception of punitive language, while maintaining transparency about a program’s accreditation status and the need for corrective action.
ACOTE added additional language to the Accreditation Withdrawal Involuntary accreditation category to align with USDE guidelines. The program may maintain the accreditation or preaccreditation status until the program has had reasonable time to complete the activities in the teach-out plan or fulfill the obligations of any teach-out agreement to assist students in transferring or completing their program.
2023 ACOTE STANDARDS CLARIFICATIONS
ACOTE Standard A.2.5. OT and OTA Faculty License and Faculty Degrees
An interpretive guide has been added to clarify the phrase “where the program is located.” This refers specifically to the physical site where instruction takes place—such as additional locations, lab intensives, or satellite models. The clarification ensures student protection and compliance with applicable State Practice Acts. Programs must provide documentation from the relevant State Practice Act to demonstrate compliance. If the Act does not explicitly address the situation, a license is required.
ACOTE Standard A.6.5. Graduation Rates
Programs must report the graduation rate per the Standard. Program websites must be updated to reflect the requirements of the new Standard.
ACOTE Standard A.6.3. Program Evaluation
The Program Evaluation and Analysis Template has been revised to consolidate the previously separate templates into a single document. This unified template is optional and designed to support programs in including and addressing the information required by the Standard. The updated document is available on our website under the Resources tab.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Conversation with ACOTE
ACOTE will be providing program directors, faculty, and other stakeholders an opportunity to have a conversation with ACOTE. The session will be September 17, 2025, at 8:00 pm Eastern Time. Please register to attend the session here.
Self-Study Workshop
The Self-Study Preparation Workshop is designed to meet the needs of program directors and faculty preparing for an upcoming self-study review and new program directors wanting to understand more about the accreditation process. The workshop includes didactic instruction and interactive sessions with a mock review of sample materials and interviews. Dates and registration information can be found here.
Interim Report Workshops
The Accreditation Department will host 4-hour virtual Interim Report Workshops this fall and winter. Dates, times, and registration links will be available on the Events & Workshops page of the website.
RESOURCES
The ACOTE Website (www.acoteonline.org) is a valuable resource for information. You can find information on program numbers, past ACOTE actions, past newsletters, frequently asked questions, forms, templates and much more.
REMINDERS
- Update the program director and faculty licenses in the “FACULTY” tab in the eAccreditation portal.
- It is the responsibility of the program director to remain current with the most recent Standards Interpretive Guide and ACOTE® policies located on www.acoteonline.org. Updates to these documents are reported on the ACOTE® website after each ACOTE® meeting.
Please submit all questions to accred@aota.org to ensure your questions are answered promptly.