CAAHEP Communiqué

December 2025

From the President

Barry S. Eckert, Ph.D., FASAHP

2023-2026 CAAHEP President

Dear CAAHEP Community Members,

As we reflect on the past year, I am filled with gratitude for the exceptional progress we have made together. Fiscal year 2024-2025 has been a transformative period for CAAHEP, characterized by strategic initiatives, collaborative partnerships, and a steadfast commitment to excellence in allied health education.

Key Highlights

We successfully approved significant policy updates, streamlined our accreditation processes, and launched the CAAHEP Academy, a new Learning Management System designed to enhance professional development. Our Outcomes Taskforce is already making strides in evaluating program effectiveness, ensuring that our accredited programs prepare graduates for success in their careers.

Looking Ahead

As we prepare for the upcoming year, I want to highlight our ongoing efforts to support our accredited programs amidst a changing regulatory landscape. We are dedicated to ensuring you have the resources and guidance you need to thrive in this dynamic environment.

Holiday Greetings

As we approach the holiday season, I wish you and your family joy, peace, and good health. Please note that the CAAHEP office will be closed from December 24, 2025, through January 1, 2026, to recharge and reflect on our collective achievements.

Thank you for your continued commitment to CAAHEP and our shared mission. Together, we are making a significant impact and providing value to stakeholders by setting standards for quality assurance in health professions education. I am excited about what lies ahead and look forward to our continued collaboration.

Happy holidays!

Barry S. Eckert, Ph.D., FASAHP

President

(Questions about this article may be directed to Dr. Eckert at beckert@caahep.org)

CAAHEP Joins National Organizations in a Letter to Homeland Security Secretary

On Friday, October 31, 2025, the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) joined 23 national organizations in a letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem requesting a national interest exemption (NIE) for pathologists and medical and public health laboratory professionals from the $100,000 H-1B fee outlined by President Donald Trump on September 19.

As you may be aware, there is already a critical shortage of pathologists and laboratory professionals. CAAHEP, along with many of our Sponsoring Organizations, is a member of the Medical and Public Health Laboratory Workforce Coalition (MPHLWC) to support the efforts to improve workforce recruitment, development, and retention. The addition of the H-1B fee would be prohibitive for qualified non-U.S. citizen health care professionals seeking education or training in the United States, as well as for the MPHLWC recruitment efforts. If granted the national interest exemption, hospitals and independent clinical, forensic, and public health laboratories will be able to staff their facilities.

The letter is posted on the CAAHEP website. CAAHEP will keep you posted on this effort.

CAAHEP Update for Program Directors

Available in the CAAHEP Academy

CAAHEP hosted its first Update for Program Directors held LIVE in the CAAHEP Academy on December 3, 2025, for 333 program directors.

In case you missed, or if you wish to re-watch the session, you may access the recording in the CAAHEP Academy. Simply log in, select Live Events, and then Past Live Events.

While there, consider registering for the next quarterly Update for Program Directors, scheduled for Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 3:00 PM Eastern Time.

If you have any questions, please contact academy@caahep.org.

Volunteering: A Public Member Perspective

In the November 2025 newsletter of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP), an article from Reneé Barrett, a Public Member on CoAEMSP's Board, was published as one of her last contributions to the CoA as she prepared to roll off the Board. Having served for 20+ years as a public member, Reneé shares a wonderful perspective on the role she's leaving, what she's learned, and what others can gain from volunteering in such a position. If you struggle to recruit, keep, and maintain a public member on your CoA or Advisory Board, sharing this article with potential public members may assist you in your efforts. Read the full article here. CAAHEP appreciates Reneé Barrett and the CoAEMSP for allowing us to republish this article.

CoA-PSG Seeks Executive Director

The Committee on Accreditation for Polysomnographic Technologist Education (CoA-PSG) is looking to hire an Executive Director. This is a part-time, remote position requiring 10-20 hours per week with infrequent travel.

The CoA PSG, a non-profit organization, is a member of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). CoA PSG oversees accreditation of 37 polysomnography education programs at colleges and universities and anticipates continued growth in the number of accredited programs.

View the full announcement on the CAAHEP website.

Proposed Kinesiotherapy Standards

are Open for Comments

As part of the CAAHEP Standards review process, the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for Kinesiotherapy (CoA-KT) is seeking comments on the proposed Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation for Educational Programs in Kinesiotherapy. To download and review the proposed Standards and submit comments, please visit the CAAHEP website. The comment collection period will close at 5:00 PM Eastern on January 5, 2026.

A virtual open hearing on the proposed Standards will be held on January 27, 2026, at 3:00 PM Eastern. To attend the open hearing, please register on the CAAHEP website.

Important Reminder:

2026 CAAHEP Fee Changes

In March 2024, the CAAHEP Board of Directors, after careful consideration and review, approved a draft revision of Policy 701. This draft included a ten percent increase in Program Accreditation Fees beginning in 2026. Comments were invited on the draft policy revision during April 2024 via the CAAHEP website, and the Audit and Finance Committee and Board of Directors diligently reviewed and considered all comments received, ensuring a transparent and inclusive decision-making process.

The final approved revision of the Program Accreditation fee policy supports CAAHEP’s role as an independent organization whose mission is to provide value to stakeholders by setting standards for quality assurance in health professions education. The fee increases are planned to keep pace with the average rate of US inflation based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), thereby ensuring the continued delivery of high-quality accreditation services.

In response to the questions received from members of CAAHEP’s communities of interest during the open comment period, CAAHEP has provided the following background information about the fee policy changes.

1. Why was a rate of 10% chosen?

To ensure the continuity of our mission and operations, the board has decided on a three-year cyclical Program Accreditation Fee increase, aligning with the average rates of inflation in the United States. Over the past 20 years (2004-2024), the average CPI rate of inflation has been 2.4%, with a range of -0.3% – 8% ( https://www.bls.gov/cpi/).

2. Why was a three-year period chosen for the fee changes?

The board recognizes that institutional budgets are complex and require careful planning. To facilitate this, the board has chosen to implement a longer cycle for changes, opting for a three-year 10% increase rather than a 3.3% increase in a single year.

3. Why did CAAHEP approve a fee change now?

Following the restructuring of CAAHEP fees in 2022, we received valuable feedback from our stakeholders. Many of the comments indicated that institutions needed a longer notification period when fee changes are made. In response, the board decided to implement this fee policy change in 2024, providing program sponsors with a two-year notice before the change takes effect.

4. What additional services and resources will CAAHEP provide for programs in consideration of these changes in Program Accreditation Fees?

New CAAHEP Academy, a learning management system, with live webinars and on-demand content designed to meet educator needs, scheduled for 2025.
Expanded content and learning opportunities at the CAAHEP Accreditation Workshop.
Improved annual reporting center for programs that use the CAAHEP Annual Report.
Enhancements to the program listings and search capabilities in the Find an Accredited Program feature on the CAAHEP website.

5. What are the Program Accreditation Fees for 2026 and beyond based on the fee change?

Per Program Accreditation Fee: Assessed annually in July

Number of CAAHEP Accredited Programs at a Sponsoring Location	2024 & 2025 Fees	2026-2028 Fees	2029-2031 Fees
1	$600	$660	$726
2	$500	$550	$605
3	$350	$385	$424
4	$250	$275	$303
5 or more	$200	$220	$242

For more information, please visit our website or contact us at mail@caahep.org

Join us for the 2026 Accreditation Workshop

at the Embassy Suites Denver Downtown Convention Center.

Watch for details in early 2026!

CAAHEP Accreditation Actions

Each profession in the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) system has a Committee on Accreditation (CoA) that consists of experts in the profession that are responsible for reviewing programs and making appropriate recommendations for accreditation to CAAHEP. CAAHEP reviews recommendations received from its CoAs in each profession, assures due process was followed, and takes final action on an accreditation status.

CAAHEP took the following actions at its November 21, 2025, meeting. Actions are identified by profession, action taken, and date of the next comprehensive evaluation. In some cases, the concentration and/or degree are also specified.

The following program was found to be in compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines and was granted continuing accreditation, with the next comprehensive evaluation to occur no later than 2029. This action requires no progress report and was approved on the consent agenda.

Medical Assisting

Carl Sandburg College, Galesburg, IL (Certificate)

The following programs were found to be in compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines and were granted continuing accreditation, with the next comprehensive evaluation to occur no later than 2030. These actions require no progress report and were approved on the consent agenda.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Ascension St. Vincent College of Health Professions, Indianapolis, IN (Abdominal-Extended)

Ascension St. Vincent College of Health Professions, Indianapolis, IN (Obstetrics and Gynecology)

Ascension St. Vincent College of Health Professions, Indianapolis, IN (Vascular)

Ascension St. Vincent College of Health Professions, Indianapolis, IN (Adult Cardiac)

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Asheville, NC (Abdominal-Extended)

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Asheville, NC (Obstetrics and Gynecology)

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Asheville, NC (Vascular)

Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, Milwaukee, WI (Abdominal-Extended)

Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, Milwaukee, WI (Obstetrics and Gynecology)

Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, Milwaukee, WI (Vascular)

Indiana University Northwest, Gary, IN (Abdominal-Extended)

Indiana University Northwest, Gary, IN (Obstetrics and Gynecology)

Oakland Community College-Southfield, Southfield, MI (Abdominal-Extended)

Oakland Community College-Southfield, Southfield, MI (Obstetrics and Gynecology)

The College of Health Care Professions-Austin, Austin, TX (Abdominal-Extended)

The College of Health Care Professions-Austin, Austin, TX (Obstetrics and Gynecology)

The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD (Adult Cardiac)

South College, Knoxville, TN (Abdominal-Extended)

South College, Knoxville, TN (Obstetrics and Gynecology)

Volunteer State Community College, Gallatin, TN (Abdominal-Extended)

Volunteer State Community College, Gallatin, TN (Obstetrics and Gynecology)

Medical Assisting

Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana-Valparaiso, Valparaiso, IN (Certificate)

The following program was found to be in compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines and was granted continuing accreditation, with the next comprehensive evaluation to occur no later than 2031. This action requires no progress report and was approved on the consent agenda.

Perfusion

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY

The following program was found to be in compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines and was granted continuing accreditation, with the next comprehensive evaluation to occur no later than 2032. This action requires no progress report and was approved on the consent agenda.

Neurodiagnostic Technology

Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, IA (Polysomnography Add-on)

The following programs were found to be in compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines and were granted continuing accreditation, with the next comprehensive evaluation to occur no later than 2035. These actions require no progress report and were approved on the consent agenda.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN (Adult Cardiac)

Midland College, Midland, TX (Abdominal-Extended)

Midland College, Midland, TX (Obstetrics and Gynecology)

Palm Beach State College-Palm Beach Gardens Campus, Palm Beach Gardens, FL (Abdominal-Extended)

Palm Beach State College-Palm Beach Gardens Campus, Palm Beach Gardens, FL (Obstetrics and Gynecology)

Piedmont Virginia Community College, Charlottesville, VA (Abdominal-Extended)

Piedmont Virginia Community College, Charlottesville, VA (Obstetrics and Gynecology)

Surgical Technology

Cape Fear Community College, Wilmington, NC (Associate)

Chattahoochee Technical College- North Metro Campus, Acworth, GA (Associate)

Lone Star College System-Tomball Health Sciences Building, Tomball, TX (Associate)

Louisiana State University at Eunice-Ochsner Lafayette General Orthopedic Hospital, Lafayette, LA (Associate)

Prairie State College, Chicago Heights, IL (Associate)

West Georgia Technical College, Waco, GA (Associate)

The following programs were found to be in compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines and were granted initial accreditation with the next evaluation to occur no later than 2030. These actions require no progress report and were approved on the consent agenda.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Palm Beach State College-Palm Beach Gardens Campus, Palm Beach Gardens, FL (Vascular)

Spartanburg Community College, Spartanburg, SC (Abdominal-Extended)

Spartanburg Community College, Spartanburg, SC (Obstetrics and Gynecology)

Spartanburg Community College, Spartanburg, SC (Vascular)

St. Johns River State College-Orange Park Campus, Orange Park, FL (Abdominal-Extended)

St. Johns River State College-Orange Park Campus, Orange Park, FL (Vascular)

Technical College of the Rockies, Delta, CO (Abdominal-Extended)

Technical College of the Rockies, Delta, CO (Obstetrics and Gynecology)

Exercise Sciences

Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, FL (Strength and Conditioning Add-on)

Wheeling University, Wheeling, WV

Surgical Technology

Dorsey College-Roseville, Roseville, MI (Associate)

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Richmond, VA (Associate)

Plaza College, Forest Hills, NY (Associate)

The following programs were found to be in substantial compliance with the accreditation Standards and Guidelines, with one or more Standards requiring a progress report to be submitted to the appropriate Committee on Accreditation (CoA). The programs were granted initial accreditation with the next evaluation to occur no later than 2030.

Exercise Sciences

The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ (Strength and Conditioning Add-on)

Polysomnographic Technology

Fayetteville Technical Community College, Fayetteville, NC (Associate)