Here are some questions that have been asked by Institutions in the past. The accreditation process can be confusing and take a long time. If you have a question that isn’t here, please don’t hesitate to contact ACAOM for further assistance.

Q: How long does it take to attain accreditation?
A: To become accredited, your school must successfully complete the Request for Accreditation form, have an initial consultative visit, send in a letter of intent, pay all the appropriate fees and begin the eligibility process. Depending on the findings of ACAOM, you will be able to set a schedule of accreditation.

Q: Who is on the Accreditation Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine?
A: The Commission is comprised of 11 members. There are 3 members from Institutions who are accredited by ACAOM, there are 3 practitioner members, and 3 public members. Also there are 2 at large members. Please click here to see the current members and staff.

Q:  Why does my institution need accreditation?
A: There are many benefits to becoming an accredited institution. The most obvious is that your school is peer reviewed and national standards of the profession are applied to your school. This gives students confidence that they are getting an excellent education. It also assures the public that there is rigor in the medical education and practitioners will be competent.

In addition, accreditation allows your school to apply for Title IV funds. Many of your potential students will need some form of financial support and accreditation will allow them to get student loans.

Q. What types of fees are associated with ACAOM accreditation process?
A: Each of the accreditation processes has set fees. If you go to the Governing Documents of  this web site  and select the button “Fees”,  you will have the complete fee schedule for each of the various accreditation processes.

Q. Does accreditation expire?
A. Initial accreditation is usually given for a specified period of time by ACAOM. At the end of the time the school requests re-accreditation and begins that process which includes a self study and a site visit. ACAOM then reviews the findings and decides to grant re-accreditation for another period of time. The longest period of accreditation that a school can earn is 7 years.

Q. How will we be notified of our accreditation status?
A. ACAOM meets twice a year in the winter and the summer. Accreditation actions are taken at those meetings. Your institution will receive a formal Action Letter  from the Commission informing you of your school’s accreditation status.

Q. What if I don’t agree with my school’s accreditation action letter? Can my school appeal?
A: All decisions that ACAOM makes can be formally appealed. The school is given an opportunity to request reconsideration of the proposed accreditation action and to submit additional information addressing the deficiencies that are listed in the Action Letter. ACAOM then will have a formal review.