ACOTE RECOGNTION: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
ACOTE is currently undergoing its U.S. Department of Education (USDE) recognition review and will be appearing before the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) as part of that process.
ACOTE values USDE recognition because it confirms that ACOTE meets federal standards for recognized accrediting agencies and provides independent validation of the rigor, integrity, and effectiveness of its accreditation system. Continued recognition also reinforces public confidence in occupational therapy education and strengthens the value and credibility of ACOTE accreditation.
Although USDE recognition is not required for graduates of ACOTE-accredited programs to be eligible for the NBCOT certification examination or subsequent licensure, it remains an important qualifying factor for certain federal funding opportunities that support occupational therapy education, faculty development, workforce initiatives, research, and student training.
ACOTE remains committed to demonstrating compliance with all applicable recognition criteria throughout the review process. We appreciate the continued support of our accredited and developing programs and will provide updates as additional information becomes available.
ACCREDITATION INNOVATION AND MODERNIZATION (AIM) UPDATE
You may have heard about Accreditation Innovation and Modernization (AIM), a U.S. Department of Education initiative that includes proposed revisions to accrediting agency recognition regulations. AIM is intended to explore ways to make accreditation more efficient, transparent, and outcomes-focused while maintaining accountability and educational quality.
ACOTE is closely monitoring these developments, assessing their potential impact on occupational therapy education and accreditation to identify implications for the profession, coordinate responses to emerging federal requirements, and support accredited programs through the evolving regulatory environment. As the regulatory landscape evolves, ACOTE will continue to evaluate emerging guidance and requirements to ensure our accreditation processes remain aligned with federal expectations while supporting program quality and continuous improvement. We will keep programs informed of any developments that may affect accreditation requirements or operations.
ANNUAL ACCREDITATION FEES
Annual fees are required each year from ALL accredited programs, including the year in which an on-site evaluation is scheduled. For newly accredited programs, the annual fee becomes effective with the first full academic year for which the program has accreditation status. Invoices were sent to program directors on July 1, 2026, and payment is due no later than October 15, 2026. Payments received after this date will incur a late fee.
Please contact the Accreditation Department at accred@aota.org if you have not received an invoice.
POLICY CHANGES AND CLARIFICATIONS
ACCREDITATION CATEGORY CHANGES
To better align ACOTE’s accreditation categories with the U.S. Department of Education’s recognition guidelines, ACOTE voted to eliminate the Accreditation-Inactive category. Effective August 8, 2026, programs may no longer apply for Accreditation-Inactive status. Programs that currently hold Accreditation-Inactive status will retain that status until they either reactivate the program or withdraw accreditation.
To address situations in which programs are discontinuing operations but still have enrolled students, ACOTE has established a new accreditation category: Accreditation-Withdrawn with Teach-Out. Programs requesting this status agree to cease admitting new students while maintaining accreditation solely for the purpose of allowing currently enrolled students to complete the program. This category provides a mechanism for programs to conduct quality teach-out while continuing to meet ACOTE requirements for enrolled students. For additional information refer to policies: IV.C. Classification of Accreditation Categories, VI.D.1. Withdrawal and Withdrawal with Teach-Out.
CERTIFICATION EXAM PASS RATE AND GRADUATION RATE REQUIREMENTS
ACOTE revised the Certification Exam Pass Rate Policy to incorporate graduation rate requirements and renamed the policy accordingly (ACOTE Policy IV.E.6. Certification Exam Pass Rate and Graduation Rate Requirements). The revisions also clarify the circumstances under which a program may be placed on Probation based on its performance related to certification exam pass rates and graduation rates. These changes provide greater transparency and consistency in the application of the policy and accreditation actions.
UPCOMING EVENTS
👉 To register for the below events, navigate to the ACOTE Events and Workshops page.
CONVERSATIONS WITH ACOTE
Sept 14: 8:00 – 9:00 PM EDT
An opportunity for program directors, faculty, and stakeholders to engage directly with ACOTE.
Self-Study Preparation Workshop (virtual)
This workshop is ideal for:
- Programs preparing for a self-study review
- New program directors navigating the accreditation process
New Program Workshop (virtual)
This workshop is ideal for:
- Program directors, faculty, and administrators who are exploring the development of an occupational therapy program.
Interim Report Workshop (virtual)
This workshop is ideal for:
- Program directors and faculty preparing for an Interim Report.
REMINDERS
- Action Letters
Distributed within 6 weeks after an ACOTE meeting.
➤ Please do not contact the office regarding decisions during this timeframe.
- eAccreditation Portal
Ensure the “FACULTY” tab is current.
- Standard A.1.4. Compliance
Programs must notify ACOTE within 30 days of:
- Program director resignation
- Appointment of a new or interim director
- Stay Informed
Program directors are responsible for keeping current with:
- ACOTE Standards and Interpretive Guide
- ACOTE policies
Updates are posted on the ACOTE website following each meeting.
RESOURCES
The ACOTE website is your central hub for:
- Preparing for an On-site
- Program numbers
- Past ACOTE actions
- Newsletters
- FAQs
- Forms and templates
- Policy updates
🌐 Visit: www.acoteonline.org
Thank you for your continued commitment to accreditation excellence and program quality!