At the 2026 policy meeting, the Commission on Accreditation (CoA) reviewed public comment received regarding five Implementing Regulations (IRs): D.3-1, D.3-2, D.3-11, D.4-7(a), and D.4-8(d). IRs D.3-1, D.3-2, and D.3-11 pertain to site visits with a focus on new classifications of site visitors and site visit team selections. All three of these IRs were approved by the CoA and will be implemented for 2027 site visits. IR D.4-7(a) was revised to include the addition of master’s programs and IR D.4-8(d) was developed to provide more information about interim reporting for accredited master’s programs. Both of these IRs have been adopted by the Commission.
The CoA also reviewed and adopted changes to 11 IRs that were out for public notice: C-25 M, C-25 D, C-23 I, C-19 P, D.4-5, D.4-11, D.4-12, D.8-2, D.8-3, E.1-2, and E.2-1. Information about the changes to these IRs was discussed in the December 2025 “Public comment and notice” article in CoA Update.
Following the commission’s 2026 policy meeting, the following items are available for public comment or notice:
Accrediting Operation Procedure
The Accreditation Operation Procedures for Master’s Programs (AOP-M) and Accrediting Operation Procedure (AOP) guide the process for program accreditation by the American Psychological Association (APA). As such, the CoA has determined the need for systematic and comprehensive review of the AOP-M and AOP.
The systematic review process of the AOP-M and AOP begins with notification to the public and relevant constituent groups of the upcoming review. Reviews are conducted in accordance with 34 CFR 602.21 of U.S. Department of Education accreditation regulations. The CoA is soliciting feedback from the general public and its relevant constituencies on areas of the AOP-M and AOP that may require revision. The CoA reviews all public comments received and in its process of review and revision, as deemed appropriate, incorporates public comment.
The CoA has made these policies available for a ninety (90) day period of public review and comment, which began at 5 p.m. Eastern time on March 18, 2026, and will continue through 5 p.m. Eastern time on June 16, 2026.
Public notice
The AOP corresponds to the IRs, which are official policy documents that “elucidate, interpret and operationally define” the APA CoA’s policies and procedures. IRs are divided into several different sections (A through E), which are subject to regular review and revision by the CoA. Through this iterative process, opportunities for clarification have arisen regarding an IR in Section D, which relates specifically to the AOP and Section E, which addresses Self-Governance and Regulation.
Processing and review of complaints against accredited programs and the CoA
The CoA has clarified the complaints process in IR D.6-1(a) to include complaints against the Commission.
Procedures for notification of CoA actions in accordance with the secretary of education’s standards for recognition of accrediting agencies
The commission has rewritten IR D.8-2 to include quotes from relevant regulations from the Department of Education and a detailed breakdown of steps that the CoA will take to notify stakeholders of CoA actions.
Procedure for notice of reasons for denial or revocation of accreditation or denial of a site visit by the CoA
The CoA has updated IR D.8-4 its procedure for notifying stakeholders of a program’s adverse action with an emphasis on denial of accreditation, revocation of accreditation, and denial of a site visit.
Implementation procedure for notification by the CoA of initial and final decisions of adverse action to the U.S. secretary of education, appropriate state licensing agency, and appropriate institutional accrediting agency
The commission has amended IR D.8-5 to explain the CoA’s process of notifying stakeholders of a program’s adverse actions with an emphasis on probation.
Groups to receive notification of proposed changes in the Standards of Accreditation (SoA) and AOP
The CoA has revised IR E.1-2 to fully describe how the commission completes the SoA and AOP systematic review processes. The commission also added to the list of psychology groups to which seats on the CoA are formally allocated in order to align with the commission’s current structure.
Conflict of interest policy for appeal panel members
The commission has edited IR E.3-6 to reflect its current action of requiring appeal panel members to sign a statement of impartiality before serving on an appeal panel.
Public comment period
In accordance with the APA “Policies for Accreditation Governance” and the U.S. Department of Education regulations for notice and comment, the CoA is providing additional information and is making the changes available for a thirty (30) day period of public notice which began on March 18, 2026. On behalf of the CoA, thank you in advance for your review.