Accrediting organizations that seek recognition by ICA must demonstrate that they meet ICA's eligibility requirements and recognition standards.

ELIGIBILITY - To be eligible for ICA recognition, the accrediting organization must:

• Demonstrate that the organization's missions and scope are consistent with the ICA Institution Eligibility and Recognition Policy, including that a majority of the institutions and programs accredited by the organization grant higher education degrees.  The Policy provides, in part, that the recognition process will place increasing emphasis on the effectiveness of accrediting organizations in assuring academic quality of institutions;
• Be non-governmental;
• Accredit institutions that have legal authority to confer higher education degrees;
• Have written procedures that describe, officially, and publicly, the organization's decision making process, policies, and procedures, that lead to accreditation actions;
• The scope of accreditation that may be granted, evaluative criteria (standards or characteristics) used, and levels of accreditation status conferred;
• Have procedures that include a self-evaluation by the institution and on-site reviews by a visiting team, or have alternative processes that ICA considers to be valid;
• Demonstrate independence from any parent entity or sponsoring entity for making judgements related to accreditation status; and
• Have a specified and fair appeal process that authorizes continuation of current accreditation status of the institution until an appeal decision is rendered.

RECOGNITION STANDARDS - When seeking recognition, the accrediting organization must address five ICA standards that correspond to ICA purpose:

        A.  Advances Christian academic quality;

        B.  Demonstrates accountability;

        C.  Encourages purposeful change and needed improvement;

        D.  Employs appropriate and fair procedures in decision-making; and  

        E.  Continually reassesses accrediting practices.