The Commission on Accreditation has extended temporary policy changes regarding short-term program modifications implemented to minimize COVID-19 exposure. These policy changes found on the APA websiteopens in new window will continue to be in effect through June 1, 2022. The CoA will also continue to evaluate the appropriateness of these temporary flexibilities beyond June 1, 2022 and will provide updates to programs about such developments.
In 2020, APA CoA began conducting site visits virtually. As a temporary change due to the pandemic, both accredited and applicant programs had virtual site visits. Only virtual visits were conducted through August 2022. However, in the fall 2022 site visit cycle (September–December 2022), in-person visits began for applicant programs, while accredited programs continued with virtual visits. In the winter 2023 cycle (January-May 2023), the CoA will continue conducting virtual visits for some accredited programs but will expand the number of in-person visits to include both applicant and accredited programs. The CoA increased the number of in-person visits with the hope that it will minimize some of the pandemic-related backlog; site visits are currently delayed by approximately 1 to 2 years.
Please note that all accredited programs with site visit delays maintain accredited status and being subject to a site visit delay will not solely negatively impact a program.
Each program hosting a virtual site visit is followed with a brief in-person verification site visit to meet the statutory and regulatory requirements to perform an on-site inspection. In June 2022 the first verification site visits were completed. Starting in fall 2022 additional programs began having in-person verification visits, with the help of members of the existing APA site visit corp. More information on the verification site visit process can be found hereopens in new window.
The CoA needs volunteers to become site visitors. If you are interested in becoming an APA site visitor more information can be found here: Become an APA Site Visitor
Please contact by email with any questions regarding site visits or becoming a site visitor.
