Who can apply
ICPCAS accredits education and certification programs that train non-clinical care practitioners. Size is not a barrier: a single-instructor doula program and a university-based lactation certificate are reviewed against the same standards, scaled to what they do. Here is what a program needs before it applies.
Seven things every applicant must have
These are the gate, not the standards. Meeting them lets you apply; the review itself tests the program against the full Accreditation Standards.
- A legally constituted organizationA registered business, nonprofit, cooperative or educational institution in your jurisdiction, with a named person accountable for the program. Sole proprietors qualify.
- A defined, documented programA written curriculum with learning objectives, a stated number of instructional hours, and a defined scope of practice for graduates in an eligible discipline.
- At least one completed cohortThe program has graduated at least one cohort (or 10 students, whichever is fewer) under the curriculum submitted for review, so there is evidence to examine. New programs may apply for Candidate status.
- Qualified lead instructorsEach lead instructor holds a relevant credential and documented experience in the discipline taught, as defined in the standards for that discipline.
- A competence assessmentGraduation depends on a documented assessment of knowledge and skills, not attendance alone.
- Published student policiesAdmission, tuition, refund, grievance, accommodation and non-discrimination policies are in writing and available to students before enrollment.
- No disqualifying conductNo unresolved findings of fraud, consumer-protection violations or misrepresentation of credentials against the organization or its principals in the prior five years.
Programs we accredit
The Perinatal Care Division is open for applications now. Programs in planned divisions may register interest and will be invited to apply when those standards are adopted.
In person, online, hybrid, any language
Accreditation is format-neutral. Fully online programs are eligible, provided skills that require hands-on practice are assessed in a way the standards accept (supervised practicum, verified field experience, or a live skills evaluation). Asynchronous-only programs with no competence assessment are not eligible.
Programs taught in languages other than English are reviewed by evaluators fluent in the language of instruction. There is no surcharge for multilingual or non-English programs.
In person
Online & hybrid
Practicum-based
What falls outside our scope
Clinical licensure programs
Nursing, midwifery, medicine, physical therapy and other licensed clinical fields have their own accreditors. ICPCAS does not review them.
Individuals
Practitioners cannot apply. Accreditation attaches to a program. Ask your training provider whether they are accredited or intend to apply.
Single workshops and CE events
A one-day class, conference session or continuing-education unit is not a program. The minimum is a defined curriculum leading to a credential.
Curriculum publishers without delivery
Organizations that license a curriculum to others but do not themselves enroll, teach and assess students are not eligible; their licensees may be.
Programs with related-party conflicts
A program owned or controlled by an ICPCAS commissioner, reviewer or staff member is ineligible while that relationship exists.
Programs that cannot show evidence
If no cohort has completed the curriculum, apply for Candidate status instead: a lighter review that signals intent and sets a timeline for full accreditation.
Tick what you have today
Eligibility self-check
If you can tick all eight, you are ready to apply. Six or seven: apply for Candidate status or request a free eligibility review. Fewer: start with the standards and build toward them.
About eligibility
We are a one-person doula training business. Are we too small?
No. Sole proprietors are eligible, and Tier A fees are set for programs under 50 enrollments a year. The standards scale: a small program needs the same curriculum, assessment and student-protection documentation as a large one, but not the same administrative apparatus.
Our program is brand new and has not graduated anyone yet.
Apply for Candidate status. Candidacy confirms you meet the threshold requirements and have a credible plan to meet the standards, lists you publicly as a Candidate (not Accredited), and sets an 18-month window to complete a first cohort and apply for full accreditation.
We teach a curriculum licensed from a certifying organization. Can we apply?
Yes, if you are the entity that enrolls, teaches and assesses students. The review covers your delivery of the curriculum, your instructors and your policies. The curriculum owner's own approvals are noted but do not substitute for review.
Do we need to be a nonprofit, or U.S.-based?
Neither. For-profit, nonprofit and public institutions are eligible, in any country. Programs outside the United States are assigned reviewers familiar with their regulatory context.
Does our program have to be a certain number of hours?
Each discipline's standard sets a minimum. For the Perinatal Care Division these range from 24 instructional hours (childbirth educator, foundational level) to 120 hours plus supervised practice (newborn care specialist, lactation counselor). Check the discipline standard before applying.
We offer three programs. Do we apply three times?
One application covers one program. Additional programs from the same organization are added as linked applications at a reduced fee and reviewed together where practical. See Fees.
What if we are not sure we meet a threshold?
Request the free eligibility review. You send us your curriculum outline, instructor list and policies; we tell you in writing within 15 business days whether you are ready to apply, ready for Candidacy, or what is missing. It is non-binding and not recorded.