ABHES accreditation resources for career schools and colleges. Download our free eligibility and readiness assessments. Learn about the application process.
ABHES Resources for the Initial Applicant
The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) is ideal for institutions offering programs in the allied health field. Need assistance? We are available to help you with the entire accreditation process. Visit our ABHES Consulting page to learn about our consulting services and to request a complimentary consultation.
This page includes an overview for new applicants, organized as listed below:
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ABHES Eligibility Self-Assessment.
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ABHES Accreditation Process.
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ABHES 2026 Meetings and Events.
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From Licensed to Accredited in 4 Milestones.
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ABHES Manual and Standards.
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ABHES Readiness Self-Assessment.
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Completing ABHES Application.
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Preparing for ABHES Visits.
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Aligning Your Institution with ABHES.
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What to Expect After Approval.
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Download Our Free ABHES Guides.
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Reference Pages and Publications.
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Our ABHES Consulting Services.
1 - ABHES Eligibility Self-Assessment
Interested in pursuing ABHES accreditation? Download our ABHES Eligibility Self-Assessment to confirm where your school stands.
2 - ABHES Accreditation Process
The initial ABHES accreditation process includes the following milestones:
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School confirms eligibility requirements.
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School submits the Application.
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School attends Accreditation Workshop.
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School submits Self-Evaluation Report.
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ABHES conducts Preliminary Visit.
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School submits final Self-Evaluation Report.
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ABHES conducts Onsite Accreditation Visit.
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School responds to Onsite Visit Report.
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ABHES grants accreditation status.
For detailed information, visit ABHES Accreditation Process Page. You may also want to review ABHES Accreditation Manual.
3 - ABHES 2026 Meetings and Events
2026 ABHES ANNUAL CONFERENCE
ABHES Annual Conference on Allied Health is scheduled for March 19 & 20, 2026, in New Orleans, LA.
2026 ABHES INITIAL WORKSHOPS
ABHES initial workshops are scheduled for February 12, September 11, and October 16.
2026 ABHES RENEWAL WORKSHOPS
ABHES renewal workshops are scheduled for February 11, September 19, and October15.
For additional information and registration, visit ABHES workshops page. Visit ABHES events page for information on webinars and evaluator training.
4 - From Licensed to Accredited in 4 Milestones
Accreditation is probably the most challenging and rewarding experience your institution will ever go through. The tasks to be accomplished are grouped into 4 distinctive milestones:
1 - Aligning with ACCSC Standards.
2 - Implementing Annual Evaluations.
3 - Issuing Your Annual Assessment Plan.
4 - Preparing the Accreditation Documents.
Download our Licensed to Accredited Reference Guide for a description of the internal process your institution will go through to achieve each milestone. We are available to assist you in successfully completing them all. Each one builds the foundation for the next. No skipping!
5 - ABHES Manual and Standards
ABHES Standards are published in their Accreditation Manual Page. Accreditation standards are usually revised and updated annually. The current accreditation manual was issued on January 1, 2026. Your institution is to comply with the latest standards, so be ready to update your school's policies and procedures as necessary.
6 - ABHES Readiness Self-Assessment
There are many elements that play a role in an institution's road to accreditation status. We invite you to download our ABHES Readiness Self-Assessment. It includes 38 items we see as key players for any institution to achieve and maintain accreditation. Feeling overwhelmed? No worries. This page includes tips and reference guides to assist you to achieve your goal.
7 - Completing ABHES Applications
BEFORE YOU START
Accrediting agencies expect institutions to submit their applications using the latest applications and instructions published on their website. The information listed on this page may have been updated by the time you start your accreditation application process. We recommend applicants check the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) publications and forms often. Better safe than sorry!
HOW TO PREPARE THE APPLICATION
ABHES Application requires your institution’s basic information for the determination of eligibility. Exhibits include, among others, copies of state license approvals, current catalog, ownership disclosure form, current business tax license, and financial statements. This application must be submitted within twelve (12) months of attending ABHES Accreditation Workshop. The application is available for download at ABHES Applications Page.
HOW TO PREPARE ABHES SELF EVALUATION REPORT (SER)
The Self-Evaluation Report is a narrative format document that, along with the exhibits, will demonstrate your institution's compliance with ABHES standards. The SER template is available on ABHES Reporting Page. We have prepared a reference guide that includes recommended steps for the preparation. Download our ABHES School Guide – Preparing the Institutional (SER) and our ABHES School Guide - Preparing the Programmatic SER depending on your application needs.
HOW TO PREPARE ABHES PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS PLAN (PEP)
The PEP is a report prepared annually for each program (or program cluster) of your institution. It is used for the ongoing evaluation of program outcomes. If this is your first time creating a PEP, complete ABHES101- Developing a Program Effectiveness Plan (PEP) online 4 hours CEU course to familiarize yourself with the format and ABHES expectations. Download our ABHES School Guide – Preparing the Program Effectiveness Plan (PEP).
HOW TO PREPARE ACCSC’S INSTITUTIONAL ASSESSMENT AND IMPROVEMENT PLAN (IAIP)
The Institutional Assessment and Improvement Plan (IAIP) is the most challenging document schools prepare as part of their initial accreditation process. It reflects an ongoing process of self-evaluation completed annually. Preparing an IAIP Report requires aligning your school’s policies, assessments, benchmarks, surveys, and meetings with ACCSC standards. The IAIP Report is one of the SER exhibits. Download our ACCSC School Guide - Preparing the IAIP Report.
8 – Preparing for ABHES Visits
PREPARING FOR ABHES ACCREDITATION
Prepare exhibits for the ABHES visit as per the appropriate Meeting Room Materials List available on ABHES Resources Page. Follow all instructions received from the visit coordinator and ABHES Staff. Team members will interview personnel and students and also contact graduates and employers.
9 – Aligning Your Institution with ABHES
ATTENDING ABHES CONFERENCE AND WORKSHOPS
We recommend attending ABHES Annual National Conference and Maintaining Accreditation Workshops on a yearly basis. Visit ABHES events page for a list of upcoming activities.
CREATING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ALIGNED WITH ABHES
Aligning your institutions' policies and operations with ABHES standards is first in order for a good start. This may be the first time your school will issue a policies and procedures manual. Even when it will be hard work, we can assure you will be happy and well rewarded, for many of the SER sections refer to your institution's policies and procedures. Download our ABHES School Guide – Policies and Procedures Manual and ABHES School Guide - Operations Manual.
CONDUCTING MEETINGS ABHES COMPLIANT
Meetings are one of the cornerstones of a well-administered school. Proper meeting minutes demonstrate the involvement of staff, faculty, and advisory members in all areas of your institution. Recommended meetings for ABHES schools:
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Program Advisory Board (annually)
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Program Reviews by Academic Department (annually)
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Financial (quarterly)
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Academic (quarterly)
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Institutional Assessment and Planning (quarterly)
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Staff Meeting (annually)
You will use meeting minutes in Exhibits to be prepared for the accreditation visit.Download our ABHES School Guide – Annual Meetings.
CONDUCTING SURVEYS ABHES COMPLIANT
Surveys results are presented at the annual meetings for the evaluation of feedback collected from students, graduates, employers, staff, faculty, and advisory members. Recommended surveys for accredited institutions:
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Course Survey (end of term)
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Student Survey (end of the academic year)
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Graduate Survey (upon graduation)
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Employer Survey (upon student employment)
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Employee Survey (annually)
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Policies and Procedures Survey (annually)
Download our ABHES School Guide – Annual Surveys. We recommend Survey Monkey for running your school's surveys and preparing the reports for meetings.
STUDENT FILE BEST PRACTICES
We recommend auditing student files at least once a year. Student files should use a standardized checklist. Elements to audit: enrollment agreement, entrance exams, admission documentation, student orientation, SAP reports, leave of absence, attendance, academic evaluations, advising forms, tutoring forms, grievances, externship completion documentation, ledger cards, refund calculations, exit interviews, transcripts, and diplomas. Download our ABHES School Guide – Graduate Student File Documents and ABHES School Guide – Withdrawn Student File Documents.
EMPLOYEE FILE BEST PRACTICES
Audit personnel files at least annually including full-time, part-time, and contractors. Personnel files are as important as student files. Elements to audit: employment applications, resume, official transcripts, licenses, copies of valid ID, job descriptions, new employee acknowledgment forms, employee orientation, faculty orientation, annual performance evaluation, staff development plan, annual certificates of eight (8) hours of continuing education completion, class observations, personnel advising forms, personnel grievances. Download our ABHES School Guide – Employee File Documents.
YOUR INSTITUTION’S BUDGET
Besides the usual list of line items your CPA will recommend for the annual operating budget, it must include categories for each one of the areas of evaluation by ACCSC: academics, admissions, learning resource systems, financial, human resources, technical infrastructure, institutional planning, student services, operations, and maintenance. Once an institution starts the accreditation process, the projected budget should be revised against the actual quarterly with your CPA.
YOUR INSTITUTION’S OPERATING ANNUAL CALENDAR
An annual operations calendar is key to maintaining your institution in compliance. Items to include: deadlines with regulatory agencies, meetings, surveys, inventory reviews, reports, issuing the revised strategic plan, teacher planning days, training, annual employee performance evaluations, and class observations. Download our ABHES School Guide – Annual Operating Calendar.
10 – What to Expect After Approval
Now that you have achieved accreditation with the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, it is all about keeping your meetings, surveys, files, reports, and annual evaluation cycle on automatic mode. Follow your Annual Operations Calendar, and attend ABHES events to keep up-to-date with standards and procedures. You may be able to start the Title IV application for the programs that qualify. Familiarize yourself with the Title IV application process and third-party financial aid processor services in advance. Your institution may also consider applying with Homeland Security for SEVP Certification to grant International Student Visas.
11 – Download Our Free ABHES Guides
Reference guides are one of the many resources we provide our consulting clients. We have prepared one for each key player in ABHES's accreditation journey. We invite you to download them free of charge:
13 – Our ABHES Consulting Services
ABHES STARTER CONSULTING PACKAGE
We are available to help you accomplish the first step of your accreditation journey: aligning your institution's operations with best practices and ABHES standards. This consulting package includes:
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Policies and Procedures Manual.
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Operations Manual.
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Meeting Guidelines.
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Survey Guidelines.
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Sample Student and Employee Files.
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Catalog Review.
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Ten Zoom Training Sessions.
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Ten Additional Consulting Hours
ABHES COMPLETE CONSULTING PACKAGE
This consulting package includes four modules that align with ABHES's accreditation process. This approach allows your institution to commit to one objective and consulting fee at a time. You may cancel our services at any time without penalties. Each module focuses on one of the Licensed to Accredited Milestones and includes ten (10) Zoom training sessions:
1 - Aligning with ABHES Standards.
2 - Implementing Annual Evaluations.
3 - Issuing the Program Effectiveness Plans.
4 - Preparing the Accreditation Documents.
Interested in learning more? Contact us for a complimentary consultation.
OUR AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Nursing Programs
Associate, Bachelor, Master, and Doctor in Nursing Degrees, Practical Nursing, PN to RN Bridge Program, RN to BSN Bridge Program, Nursing Assistant (CNA).
Allied Health Programs
Home Health Aide (HHA), Nursing Assistant (CNA), Phlebotomy, Electrocardiography (EKG), Medical Assistant, Billing and Coding, Patient Care Technician (PCT), Dialysis, Pharmacy, and Dental Assisting.
Beauty Programs
Cosmetology, Full Specialist, Nail Technician, Facial Specialist, Aesthetician, Barber, Restricted Barber, Massage, Permanent Makeup, Tattoo Professional, Electrology and Laser.
English as a Second Language (ESL)
English programs for speakers of other languages.
Degree Programs
Business & Management Degrees
Education Degrees
Technology Degrees
Health Sciences Degrees
Undergraduate: Associate & Bachelor Degrees
Graduate: Master & Doctoral Degrees
College Credit Certificates
Onsite and Online Colleges & Universities
Additional Programmatic Areas
We also assist schools with additional training areas such as trade skills, construction, automotive, and information technology. Can't find the program you are considering for licensing or accreditation? Let us know through our comment form. We will be happy to help you with your specific program niche.
COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION
Ready to take the first step? Schedule a complimentary phone or Zoom consultation to discuss your goals, explore our services, and see if we're the right fit for your organization. Request your complimentary consultation by calling 786-618-2277, completing our Complimentary Consultation Request form, or emailing info@baysideprojects.com.
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Request Your Free Consultation Today!
We hope the information included on this page has answered your questions regarding ABHES eligibility and the application process. Still needing assistance? We are glad to help! We serve institutions nationwide. Request your complimentary consultation by calling 786-618-2277, completing our Complimentary Consultation Request form, or emailing info@baysideprojects.com. Count on us to assist your school with the ABHES accreditation process.