Accreditation Process

The Steps to Accreditation

Getting
Started

Getting Started

This one-time onboarding phase introduces your Program to CDAC’s standards and accreditation process. You’ll connect with an Accreditation Specialist, review the applicable standard, and prepare your application for the initial survey.

Accreditation Cycle

Once the initial application is approved, the Program 
enters a recurring cycle of review, survey, reporting, and renewal to ensure continued alignment with CDAC standards. Ongoing Reports are now included as part of this cycle.

Getting Started

  • 1

    Contact us

    Send an e-mail to [email protected]. The Program will be assigned an Accreditation Specialist (AS) that will support you through the accreditation journey. You are encouraged to read the Guide to Accreditation.

  • 2

    Review the standard

    The Program reviews the applicable standard to determine their conformity with the standard and to assess their readiness for an accreditation survey.

  • 3

    Submit survey application

    The Program responds to the standard and prepares documentation and evidence. This serves as the application for accreditation survey. The Program will be invoiced according to the fee schedule once the application has been received.

  • 4

    Application reviewed by the
Accreditation Review Committee

    The CDAC Accreditation Review Committee (ARC) will review the Program application to determine readiness for an onsite survey. Meetings are held quarterly at the end of March, June, September and November. The Program receives a transmittal letter advising of approval or denial of program’s application for a program survey.

Accreditation Cycle

  • 1

    Onsite accreditation survey date determined

    The survey team is selected that matches their expertise with the Program offering. The survey is conducted when students are providing patient/client care. The Program will receive a letter confirming the accreditation survey dates.

  • 2

    Submit pre-survey documentation

    The Program submits updated pre-survey documentation 12 weeks prior to the accreditation survey date. A timetable is drafted collaboratively by the AS with the Program and surveyors for the onsite accreditation survey.

  • 3

    Pre-survey teleconference

    A pre-survey teleconference with surveyors and the program is held 4-6 weeks prior to the onsite accreditation survey.

  • 4

    Onsite accreditation survey

    The survey team conducts the survey and determines the Program’s conformance to the standard by interviewing persons and other stakeholders, reviewing documentation and observing students providing patient/client care.

  • 5

    Accreditation survey report

    The accreditation survey report is drafted, revised and finalised 6 weeks post survey.

  • 6

    Granting of accreditation status

    The CDAC Accreditation Review Committee reviews the report and grants the accreditation status. The program will receive a transmittal letter approximately 1 month following the ARC meeting which outlines the accreditation status and conditions of accreditation and the duration of the accreditation status.

  • 7

    Ongoing Reports

    The Program submits progress reports linked to accreditation status conditions, submits an annual program review and reports all significant program changes. Your AS will inform you of the subsequent survey and will support you through the next cycle.

Accreditation Guide

All new programs seeking accreditation are asked to read the Guide to Accreditation.
Please contact us with any questions at [email protected].

Accreditation Fees

Please review our fee schedule for accreditation of educational programs.

Accreditation-Guide

Policies

Access the full collection of CDAC policies to support your program’s accreditation journey.