NLN CNEA FAQs

The NLN CNEA pre-accredited its first nursing programs in 2016 and accredited its first three programs in February 2017. The NLN CNEA accepts applications for pre-accreditation from programs three times a year: April, August, and November. Please see the pre-accreditation schedule located here for specific dates for the current application cycle.

The NLN CNEA provides accreditation services for all types of nursing programs, including practical/vocational, diploma (RN), associate, bachelor’s, master’s, post-graduate certificates, and practice doctorate programs. The NLN CNEA is not a Title IV gatekeeper for student financial aid.

Yes, in addition to accrediting DNP programs that prepare advance practice nurses and nurse executives, the NLN CNEA also accredits practice doctorate programs that have a primary focus on preparing nurse educators.

Yes, the NLN CNEA does accredit international nursing programs that meet the established criteria and accreditation standards.

A fifteen-member Board of Commissioners (BOC), representing nursing education, practice, and the public serves as the NLN CNEA’s governing and decision-making body. The names and affiliations of the NLN CNEA Board members can be found on the NLN CNEA governance page. Dr. Teresa Shellenbarger is the current executive director of NLN CNEA.

Nursing programs can complete the request for pre-accreditation candidacy application and submit it to cneaaccreditation@nln.org.  If you have questions about the application or need additional information, send an email to cneaaccreditation@nln.org and a staff member will contact you. You may also contact Dr. Teresa Shellenbarger at tshellenbarger@nln.org for assistance. 

The NLN CNEA and ACEN are separate accrediting agencies with separate standards and policies. The NLN CNEA is an autonomous accreditation division of the NLN with its headquarters located in Washington, D.C.  ACEN is a wholly owned subsidiary of the NLN located in Atlanta, GA.  

You will find a listing of the NLN CNEA workshops and webinars here.

The NLN CNEA Standards for Accreditation can be found here.

The NLN policies can be found here.

Pre-accredited programs can hold pre-accreditation candidacy status for up to three years. The maximum term for initial accreditation is six years. The maximum term for continuing accreditation is ten years. 

Those interested in filing a complaint must complete the Complaint Form. The full complaint policy is listed in the Accreditation Handbook, under Section 7. For further assistance, contact NLN CNEA executive director Dr. Teresa Shellenbarger at tshellenbarger@nln.org.

Yes, the NLN CNEA accredits international programs.

In general, yes, domestic and international programs have to follow the same requirements for accreditation. However, there are two exceptions related to institutional accreditation requirements and site visit format. See the next two FAQs for details about these exceptions.

No, the requirement to hold institutional accreditation from an agency recognized by the US Department of Education does not apply to international programs. Instead, international programs would need to provide an approval for the program and/or institution that is appropriate for their country, such as a Ministry of Education.

Accreditation site visits are conducted virtually for international programs using interactive video conferencing technology. The NLN CNEA does not send an on-site team for program review. All documents and interviews are conducted and reviewed virtually. This has the added advantage of keeping costs low for programs as there isn't travel and accommodation costs.

Per the NLN CNEA Accreditation Handbook, all documents and interviews must be in English.

Please contact NLN CNEA for current international accreditation fees.

View the NLN CNEA accreditation fee schedule. Pre-accreditation application fees are due at the time of application. Accreditation fees are due upon the scheduling of the on-site program evaluation visit. Annual fees are invoiced with a due date of February 15th for the respective calendar year.

After achieving initial accreditation with the NLN CNEA for one or more programs, a nursing academic unit may wish to seek accreditation for an additional program for example, the nursing academic unit already may have their bachelor’s program accredited by the NLN CNEA and decides to seek accreditation for its master’s program. The nursing academic unit would pay the additional new program fee to begin the application process. 

Please contact NLN CNEA for current international accreditation fees.

A programmatic system is a certificate and/or degree granting nursing program in a higher education institution that offers the nursing curriculum at multiple campus locations that are geographically distant from the main or primary location of the program. This does not include programs that are offered via distance education or “off-site” outreach programs or branch campuses. The system holds the authority to legally operate at distant location(s) and domestic programs hold institutional accreditation. Contact the NLN CNEA staff before filling application to verify fee structure for your programmatic system nursing unit.