| Domestic Nursing Education Program | International Nursing Education Program | |
| Fee per nursing education program type | $2,700 | $3,785 |
Candidacy is the beginning process for a program seeking accreditation with the ACEN. The Candidacy Fee is a one-time fee per nursing education program type.
For domestic programs, the fee is charged after eligibility has been confirmed through the submission of the required Candidacy Eligibility Application.
For international programs, the fee must be remitted with the Candidacy Eligibility Application; an International Candidacy Visit is a requirement of the candidacy process.
The fee covers the entire candidacy mentoring program and the entire candidacy period.
| Domestic Nursing Education Program | International Nursing Education Program |
| $1,335 | $3,785 |
The Site Visit Scheduling fee is a non-refundable fee applicable to the following visit types: Initial Accreditation Site Visits, Continuing Accreditation Site Visits, International Candidacy Visits, Focused Visits, and Follow-Up Visits*.
For Initial Site Visits, the fee is charged after submission of the required Site Visit Request Form.
For Continuing Site Visits, the fee is charged one year prior to the visit.
See definition of Follow-Up Visit.
| Domestic Nursing Education Program | International Nursing Education Program | |
| Fee per evaluator, per day | $950 | $1,080 |
The Site Visit Evaluator fee is applicable to Initial Accreditation Site Visits, Continuing Accreditation Site Visits, International Candidacy Visits, Focused Visits, and Follow-Up Visits*.
For domestic programs, the fee includes the cost of airfare and meals for the evaluator(s); lodging and all transport to and from the airport, campus, and other program locations must be directly arranged by and paid for by the program.
For international programs, travel expenses, including the cost of non-refundable airfare and business travel visas will be billed to the program; airfare must be paid in full prior to the visit; lodging and all transport to and from the airport, campus, and other program locations must be directly arranged by and paid for by the program.
Typically, three (3) or four (4) peer evaluators are on-site for three (3) days.
The Site Visit Evaluator Fee is charged upon approval and scheduling of the visit.
| Domestic Nursing Education Program | International Nursing Education Program | |
| Fee per nursing education program type | $3,500 | $3,665 |
| Each additional nursing education program type within the same nursing education unit | $1,445 | $1,510 |
The initial accreditation fee is a flat fee charged to a program once ACEN's Board of Commissioners grants initial accreditation. The fee covers accreditation retroactively, from the date of candidacy through December 31 of the year of initial accreditation.
| Domestic Nursing Education Program | International Nursing Education Program | |
| Fee per nursing education program type | $3,195 | $3,245 |
| Each additional nursing education program type within the same nursing education unit | $1,285 | $1,300 |
Once a program has been granted initial accreditation, continuing accreditation is the cyclical review process for an accredited nursing program to maintain accreditation with the ACEN.
The Continuing Accreditation Annual fee is charged annually to accredited programs.
| Domestic Nursing Education Program | International Nursing Education Program | |
| Virtual, one Standard, single nursing education program type | $1,625 | $1,620 |
| Each additional nursing education program type, same Standard | $540 | $800 |
| On-site, one Standard, single nursing education program type (program pays all direct travel expenses) | $1,625 | $4,325 |
| Each additional nursing education program type, same Standard | $540 | $800 |
An Advisory Review is an optional service for an ACEN-accredited program for the purpose of assisting the program in preparation for the continuing accreditation process. For more information, see Advisory Review. The fee is charged when the service is performed. Fees do not include travel expenses (e.g., travel, food, lodging, etc.), which will be invoiced separately.
| Domestic Nursing Education Program | International Nursing Education Program |
| $1,335 | $1,625 |
The Rescheduling/Cancellation fee is charged for rescheduling or canceling a scheduled visit.
| Domestic Nursing Education Program | International Nursing Education Program | |
| Notice of Intent to Appeal, per nursing education program type | $5,250 | $10,500 |
| Appeal Process Fee, per nursing education program type | $10,500 | $21,000 |
| Appeal Process Fee, per nursing education program type | $2,625 | $5,250 |
| Arbitration Fee | $36,750 | $36,750 |
The Arbitration Fee applies only to a program denied initial accreditation or continuing accreditation by the ACEN Board of Commissioners that have been fully and finally determined by a written decision of the Appeal Committee and the program chooses to appeal the Board’s decision.
The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) supports the interests of nursing education, nursing practice, and the public by providing specialized accreditation for all levels of nursing education programs.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc.
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
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