Frequently asked questions
Thirty-one answers across six topics, written for whoever is asking: a family checking a credential, a program weighing an application, an employer writing a hiring policy, or a practitioner choosing where to train.
Five questions we answer every week
The basics
What is ICPCAS?
The International Commission on Professional Care Accreditation and Standards is an independent nonprofit that accredits education and certification programs training non-clinical care practitioners: birth and postpartum doulas, newborn care specialists, lactation educators, perinatal mental health supporters, pregnancy fitness instructors and related disciplines, with end-of-life doula and menopause coach divisions in development.
What is the difference between accreditation and certification?
Certification is granted to a person. Accreditation is granted to a program. ICPCAS accredits the programs that train and certify practitioners; it never certifies, licenses or endorses individuals. A graduate's credential comes from their program; ICPCAS accreditation tells you what that credential was built on.
Is ICPCAS a government agency?
No. It is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Accreditation is voluntary. It does not replace any state, provincial or national requirement to practice, and where a jurisdiction regulates an activity, that law governs.
Who runs ICPCAS?
A nine-seat Board of Commissioners with practitioner, educator, employer, standards-expert, international and public-member seats; no single group holds a majority. Accreditation decisions are made by a separate Accreditation Review Committee, and appeals by a separate panel. See Governance & Independence.
How is ICPCAS funded?
Through published application and annual sustaining fees paid by programs, plus disclosed grants and gifts. No fee depends on the outcome of a review, and no funding is accepted from any applicant beyond the published fees.
For families & the public
How do I check whether a program is accredited?
Search the Accredited Programs directory. Every accredited and Candidate program has a verification page showing its status, discipline, term dates and any conditions. If a program claims ICPCAS accreditation and is not listed, tell us.
My doula says she is ICPCAS certified. Is that right?
No practitioner is ICPCAS certified; ICPCAS does not certify people. A practitioner may correctly say that the program that trained them is ICPCAS accredited. If someone describes themselves as ICPCAS certified, licensed or approved, that is a misuse of the mark, and we would like to know.
Does accreditation guarantee a practitioner is good?
It cannot. Accreditation tells you the program that trained a practitioner met published standards for curriculum, instructors, assessment, scope of practice and student protections. Individual skill and fit are things to assess yourself, through references and interviews.
What does a non-clinical care practitioner not do?
Clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment and medication advice are outside scope for every discipline ICPCAS accredits. Each discipline's scope is published on the Disciplines page, including what graduates must refer to clinical care.
Can I complain to ICPCAS about a practitioner?
ICPCAS accredits programs, not practitioners, so complaints about an individual's conduct go to the organization that certified them, or to the relevant authority. If the complaint is that a program taught practice outside its scope or misrepresented its accreditation, that is for us.
For programs
Is my program eligible?
If it is a legally constituted organization delivering a documented program in an eligible discipline, with at least one graduated cohort, qualified lead instructors, a competence assessment and published student policies, yes. The Eligibility page has the full list and a self-check; the eligibility review is free.
How long does accreditation take?
Nine to twelve months for most programs, application to decision. Most of that time is your self-study. ICPCAS stages have fixed maximum turnarounds. See Process & Timeline.
What does it cost?
Tier A (up to 50 enrollments a year): $450 application, $1,950 initial review, $895 annual. Tier B and C scale up. Every fee is on the Fees page, with fee relief for community programs and lower-income countries.
We are online only. Can we be accredited?
Yes, if skills that require hands-on practice are assessed by direct observation (live or verified recorded) and assessment integrity is protected. Asynchronous programs with no competence assessment are not eligible.
We teach in Mandarin / Spanish / another language.
Reviewed in your language of instruction by fluent reviewers, with no surcharge. Programs delivered in several languages must meet every standard in each.
Will ICPCAS tell us what to teach?
No. The standards require that what you teach is written, mapped to competencies, delivered for enough hours, taught by qualified people and assessed. Your curriculum and your model of care are yours, within the published scope for the discipline.
Can we use the ICPCAS mark while we are applying?
No. Applicants may say they have applied. Candidate programs may use the words “ICPCAS Candidate for Accreditation”. Only accredited programs use the mark, and only for the accredited program. See the use-of-mark policy.
What if we are denied?
You receive written findings explaining exactly why, may appeal within 30 days to a panel with no prior involvement, and may reapply after 12 months. The denial is published; fees are not refunded, because fees never depend on outcome.
For employers, health systems & payers
How do we verify a credential came from an accredited program?
Ask the practitioner for the program name and completion date, then check the directory. The verification page shows the accreditation term; a credential issued inside the term is from an accredited program.
Can we require ICPCAS accreditation in our hiring or contracting criteria?
Yes, and several organizations are drafting such requirements. We recommend phrasing it as “completed a program accredited by ICPCAS, or holding Candidate status, at the time of completion” so that recent graduates of new programs are not excluded.
Do you accredit programs outside the United States?
Yes. The standards apply in any country and language; reviewers are drawn from the program's region. Accreditation does not substitute for local legal requirements.
Can we see the standards and the rubric reviewers use?
Both are published in full: the Accreditation Standards and the reviewer rubric in the policy library. ICPCAS uses no undisclosed criteria.
Can we talk to ICPCAS about building accreditation into reimbursement or credentialing?
Yes. We work with health systems, payers and state programs on how to reference accreditation in their requirements. Contact us.
For students & practitioners
Should I only enroll in an accredited program?
Accredited and Candidate programs have been independently reviewed for curriculum, instructors, assessment and student protections; that is a strong reason to prefer them. Unaccredited programs may still be good; they simply have not been checked. Ask any program whether it is accredited or intends to apply.
I graduated before my program was accredited. Does it count?
Accreditation applies to a program for a defined term. A credential issued before the term began was not issued by an accredited program, though the program may be the same. Many employers accept this; some do not. Your program can tell you whether it offers a bridging option.
My program closed. What happens to my records?
Accredited programs must hold a teach-out plan and retain student records for at least five years, including on closure. If you cannot reach a closed program, contact us and we will help locate the records custodian.
Can I become an ICPCAS reviewer?
Yes, if you have at least five years of practice or teaching in an eligible discipline and complete reviewer training. See the Site Visitor Program.
Standards & policy
How often do the standards change?
Each edition is reviewed in full within five years, and sooner if evidence or practice changes. Every change goes through at least 60 days of public comment and is piloted before adoption, with a minimum six-month notice before taking effect.
Which version applies to us?
The edition in force when your application was accepted, for the whole of that review. Later changes apply from their effective date for monitoring and reaccreditation.
How do I comment on a draft standard?
Open drafts are listed on the Publications page with a comment form and deadline. Every comment is published with the Committee's response.
Where do I report a conflict of interest?
To the Ethics & Conflicts Committee through the complaints process. The person named takes no part in the review.
Three ways to get an answer that counts
Written policy questionAnswered within 10 business days. The answer is binding on ICPCAS for your review, so this is the route for anything you intend to rely on.
Free eligibility reviewSend a curriculum outline, instructor list and policies; we tell you where you stand within 15 business days.
Monthly open callA one-hour public video session on the first Thursday of each month for programs considering accreditation. No registration; details on the Publications page.
