CAEP accreditation is the nationally recognized quality seal for educator preparation providers in the United States. Formed in 2013 from the merger of NCATE and TEAC, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation is recognized by CHEA and sets the standard for teacher and educator preparation at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Expert Education Consultants, led by Dr. Sandra Norderhaug (30 years in higher education leadership), has guided 115+ institutions through licensing and accreditation.
What Is CAEP?
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) is a programmatic (specialized) accreditor based in Washington, D.C. that evaluates colleges, schools, and departments of education within universities — not entire institutions. Think of CAEP as the quality seal telling state licensing boards, hiring principals, and prospective teacher candidates: this program produces educators who actually know their content and can teach it.
CAEP was formed in 2013 when the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) merged. By 2016, CAEP became the sole specialized accreditor for educator preparation. It holds recognition from the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and is referenced by many state departments of education when approving teacher licensure programs.
As of fall 2025, 544 educator preparation providers hold CAEP accreditation across all 50 states and internationally. CAEP accredits programs at the initial licensure level (undergraduate and post-baccalaureate teacher preparation) and the advanced level (master’s, specialist, and doctoral programs for practicing educators). The accreditation cycle runs seven years, with annual reporting in between.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2013 (merger of NCATE, est. 1954, and TEAC) |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. |
| Recognition | Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) |
| Scope | Programmatic accreditor for educator preparation providers (EPPs) |
| Program Levels | Bachelor, post-bac, master, specialist, doctoral — initial and advanced |
| Geographic Scope | All 50 U.S. states plus international; 544 EPPs as of fall 2025 |
| Cycle | 7 years with annual reporting |
| Current Standards | 2022 Revised Standards (initial and advanced) |
| Program Review | SPA review, state review, or CAEP evidence review of Standard 1 |
| Key Distinction | Programmatic only — institutions still need regional or national accreditation |
Is CAEP the Right Accreditor for You?
CAEP is purpose-built for educator preparation providers — colleges, schools, and departments that train teachers and other school professionals. It is not an institutional accreditor and won’t replace regional or national accreditation. Quick self-assessment:
- You offer teacher licensure or certification programs (elementary, secondary, special education, etc.)
- Your state requires or strongly recommends CAEP accreditation for EPPs
- You want graduates eligible for licensure in multiple states without additional hurdles
- You offer advanced educator programs (leadership, counseling, reading, curriculum & instruction)
- You are a freestanding EPP seeking Title IV access through CAEP accreditation
- You want the most recognized educator preparation accreditation in the U.S.
- Your institution does not offer any educator preparation programs
- You are a trade school or vocational institution without teacher education
- You need institutional accreditation (CAEP is programmatic only)
- Your education programs are non-credit professional development only
- You have fewer than one cohort of completers — CAEP requires outcome data
- You are unwilling to invest in robust data collection for candidate and P-12 impact
CAEP’s 2022 Revised Standards
CAEP’s current standards — the 2022 Revised Standards, in effect for all reviews from spring 2022 onward — are organized into five core standards for initial-level programs, plus two situational standards. Advanced-level programs have a parallel set. What evaluators look for:
Key Evidence to Prepare
CAEP doesn’t prescribe a rigid exhibit list, but your Self-Study Report must include evidence for every standard component. The most critical documentation categories:
| Evidence Category | What You Need | How We Help |
|---|---|---|
| Candidate Assessment Data | Licensure exam pass rates, GPA at transition points, key assessment scores, disaggregated by race/ethnicity and program | Design data collection and format evidence for AIMS 2.0 |
| Clinical Partnership Agreements | Formal MOUs with partner schools, co-selection protocols for clinical educators, evidence of mutual benefit | Draft partnership templates and document co-construction |
| Completer Impact Evidence | P-12 student learning growth data, classroom observation results, value-added measures where available | Build impact measurement frameworks and collect results |
| Employer & Completer Surveys | Satisfaction survey instruments and results from employers and from completers themselves | Create survey instruments, manage distribution, analyze data |
| Curriculum Documentation | Program descriptions, syllabi, learning outcome maps, credit-hour policies, gen-ed requirements | Align curricula to standards and prepare documentation |
| Faculty Credentials | CVs, transcripts, evaluations, professional development records for all EPP faculty | Compile credential files and identify qualification gaps |
| Recruitment & Diversity Plans | Goals and progress evidence for recruiting diverse candidates reflecting P-12 demographics | Develop recruitment strategies and track disaggregated data |
| Quality Assurance System | Written QAS plan, data entry and reporting processes, evidence of data-informed decisions | Build or refine your QAS from the ground up |
| Annual Report Data | Eight annual accountability measures: completion, licensure, employment, consumer info | Prepare compliant annual reports in AIMS 2.0 |
| Program Review Reports | SPA reports, state review results, or CAEP evidence review for each program area | Guide SPA submissions and evidence organization |
The CAEP Accreditation Timeline
Expect 2–4 years from application to initial accreditation decision. For reaffirmation, EPPs operate on a 7-year cycle with annual reporting. A realistic phase-by-phase breakdown:
CAEP Accreditation Fees (2025–2026)
All fees below are paid directly to CAEP. Source: caepnet.org
Annual EPP Fees (Based on Number of Completers)
| Completer Range | Annual Domestic Fee | Annual International Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 0–50 | $3,250 | $8,250 |
| 51–150 | $3,605 | $8,605 |
| 151–300 | $4,120 | $9,120 |
| 301–500 | $4,755 | $9,755 |
| 501–1,000 | $6,290 | $11,290 |
| 1,000+ | $7,310 | $12,310 |
Accreditation Review Fees
| Fee Category | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Review Fee (Per Reviewer) | $2,510 | Typically 5 reviewers assigned = ~$12,550 total |
| Travel Expenses (Per Reviewer) | $850 | N/A for virtual reviews (all 2025–2026 reviews are virtual) |
| Additional Reviewers | $2,510 each | May be added for EPPs with 500+ completers, 20+ programs, or multiple sites |
| Fewer Reviewers | Reduced total | Possible for EPPs with <10 programs, joint CAEP/state reviews, or stipulation reviews |
How Expert Education Consultants Help You Achieve CAEP Accreditation
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an accreditation consultant do?
An accreditation consultant guides your institution through every phase — readiness assessment, self-study drafting, evidence organization, site visit prep, and Accreditation Council action. The right consultant compresses your timeline and translates standards into a defensible self-study.
What is the difference between CAEP and NCATE?
CAEP replaced NCATE (and TEAC) in 2013 as the sole specialized accreditor for educator preparation. NCATE-accredited institutions transitioned to CAEP at their next cycle. The 2022 CAEP standards are more streamlined than the old NCATE standards and emphasize candidate impact on P-12 student learning, diversity, and continuous improvement.
Does CAEP accreditation replace regional accreditation?
No. CAEP is a programmatic (specialized) accreditor. It accredits your educator preparation programs, not your entire institution. Most universities holding CAEP accreditation also hold regional accreditation (SACSCOC, HLC, MSCHE, WSCUC, NECHE, NWCCU). If your institution is regionally accredited, CAEP considers that sufficient for Standard 6 (Fiscal and Administrative Capacity).
How long does CAEP accreditation last?
CAEP accreditation is granted for a seven-year term. Between reviews, EPPs must submit annual reports with eight accountability measures. If an EPP receives Accreditation with Stipulations, it typically has two years to resolve the stipulated areas before the next review.
What are CAEP’s annual accountability measures?
CAEP requires eight annual measures: (1) completer effectiveness based on P-12 student learning, (2) completer effectiveness from observations or other measures, (3) employer satisfaction, (4) completer satisfaction, (5) graduation rates, (6) licensure/certification pass rates, (7) employment rates in the field, and (8) consumer information including student loan default rates.
Can online educator preparation programs earn CAEP accreditation?
Yes. CAEP accredits EPPs regardless of delivery modality — face-to-face, online, or hybrid. The EPP must demonstrate that clinical experiences (student teaching, field placements) are of sufficient quality and depth regardless of how coursework is delivered. Candidate identity verification for online coursework is required.
What happens if my EPP does not meet a CAEP standard?
Deficiencies are documented as Areas for Improvement (AFIs) or Stipulations. An AFI signals a weakness that needs monitoring. A Stipulation is more serious — the standard is not met and must be resolved, usually within two years. In severe cases, the Accreditation Council may place an EPP on Probation or deny accreditation.
How do I prepare for an accreditation site visit?
Successful site visit prep includes a complete self-study and exhibit inventory 8–12 weeks ahead; mock interviews for faculty, candidates, and P-12 partners; rehearsed answers to evidence-anchored questions; on-site logistics for the peer team; and an evidence room where any document can be produced in minutes.
Is CAEP accreditation required?
It depends on your state. Many states require or strongly recommend CAEP accreditation for educator preparation providers. In some states, graduates of non-CAEP-accredited programs face additional hurdles to licensure. CAEP maintains partnership agreements with state education agencies defining how accreditation integrates with state program approval.