Standards, Procedures & Guidelines

Standards for Accreditation of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing Programs (Amended 2018)
The 2018 Standards went into effect January 1, 2019. All programs hosting an on-site evaluation after January 1, 2019 will be assessed using the 2018 accreditation standards. Reports submitted prior to January 1, 2019 should address the 2013 Standards; reports submitted after January 1, 2019 should address the 2018 Standards. 

 Executive Summary of Changes to the 2018 CCNE Standards for Accreditation

Crosswalk Table – 2013 Standards & 2018 Standards

This crosswalk provides a comparison of the 2013 Standards for Accreditation of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing Programs with the 2018 Standards for Accreditation of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing Programs.

Procedures for Accreditation of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing Programs

The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice (AACN, 2008)

The Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing (AACN, 2011)

The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (AACN, 2006)

Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs (National Task Force on Quality Nurse Practitioner Education, 2016)

Crosswalk Table – 2018 Standards & 2016 NTF Criteria

This crosswalk provides a comparison of the 2018 Standards for Accreditation of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing Programs with the 2016 Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs.

NTF Criteria Worksheet – 2018 Standards & 2016 NTF Criteria

This worksheet is provided to assist programs in demonstrating compliance with CCNE’s Standards for Accreditation of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing Programs (2018). Key Elements III-C, III-D, and III-E of the 2018 CCNE Standards require that all nurse practitioner programs demonstrate incorporation of the Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs (2016).

Standards for Accreditation of Entry-to-Practice Nurse Residency Programs (Amended 2021)

Standards for Accreditation of Entry-To-Practice Nurse Residency Programs (Amended 2015)

The 2015 Standards were in effect until December 31, 2021

Crosswalk Table – 2015 Standards & 2021 Standards

The crosswalk provides a comparison of the 2015 Standards for Accreditation of Entry-to-Practice Nurse Residency Programs with the 2021 Standards for Accreditation of Entry-to-Practice Nurse Residency Programs.

Procedures for Accreditation of Entry-to-Practice Nurse Residency Programs

Standards for Accreditation of Nurse Practitioner Fellowship/Residency Programs

Procedures for Accreditation of Nurse Practitioner Fellowship/Residency Programs