Eligibility Requirements
What an organization and its proposed scope must already demonstrate before formal review makes sense. Eligibility is confirmed free of charge; it is not accreditation, certification or public recognition.
Eligibility review at a glance
Eligibility is a screening step so organizations do not spend time or money entering a process that is clearly not yet appropriate.
Four things make you eligible
- 1
A recognizable organization
A legal entity (or clearly sponsored unit) that can sign an agreement and own the program.
- 2
An in-scope activity
A certification program, education activity or operating system that a CHSPS pathway actually covers.
- 3
Basic operating maturity
Governance, records and delivery real enough to evidence — not just planned.
- 4
Readiness to proceed
Capacity to complete self-study and respond to review within the planning window.
Eligibility outcomes. Every free eligibility inquiry ends in a written determination: Eligible (may proceed to formal application after scope confirmation), Potentially Eligible — Additional Information Required, or Not Eligible (with the specific thresholds not yet met). A determination of eligibility confers no accredited status and may not be advertised as a credential.
Check requirements for your pathway
Certification Program Accreditation (CHSPS-CERT)
- A legally established entity is responsible for the certification program
- The program grants a credential based on an assessment of competence — not attendance or course completion alone
- The credential has been operating with real candidates; full accreditation requires operational evidence, not launch plans
- A documented (at least draft) certification scheme exists: scope, eligibility, assessment, renewal
- Governance can demonstrate separation between certification decisions and commercial interests
- Leadership commits to hosting the review, responding to findings and ongoing reporting
Pre-operational programs
Programs not yet operating may request an eligibility review to receive a written gap determination and may prepare using CHSPS education — but a full accreditation decision is made only on operating evidence. Pre-decision applicants hold Applicant status, which is not accreditation and carries no mark rights.
Education Provider Accreditation (CHSPS-EDP)
- A legally established organization operates a continuing-education or professional-learning function
- At least one full education cycle (needs analysis → design → delivery → evaluation) has been completed and documented
- Instructor/faculty selection and content-accuracy review are assigned responsibilities, at least in draft policy
- Learner records and completion certificates are issued under organizational control
Course Accreditation (CHSPS-COURSE)
- The course or certificate program is a defined, repeatable offering with stated learning outcomes
- It has been delivered to real learners at least once, with records
- Assessment or completion criteria exist and match what the certificate claims
- Marketing claims can be evidenced (no implied professional certification)
Assessment-Based Certificate & Micro-Credential Accreditation (CHSPS-ABC)
- A legally established entity is responsible for the credential system
- The certificate or micro-credential is earned through a defined assessment of stated learning outcomes
- Credential rules, recipient records and verification controls are documented
- Digital issuance or badge controls are identified when used
Work-Based Learning & Competency Program Accreditation (CHSPS-WBL)
- A legally established entity is accountable for the defined work-based learning or competency program
- The program has defined participating roles, entry prerequisites, learning plans, supervisors or preceptors, assessment methods and completion or competency decisions
- Workplace performance is observed or otherwise assessed under documented rules with records sufficient for review
- Learning sites, employers or partners within scope are governed through documented quality, safety, fairness and evidence controls
Specialty pathways and defined operational offerings
For HSAI, REA, MSS, WCA, CEQ and AIG, the organization must identify the operational system, service, role set, site or business unit to be reviewed and show implemented controls and records for that scope. HSAI-AI, ALT-320, WCA-TEL, APS and ALT-720 require the exact add-on, supplement, scope-module or named-system scope identified in the applicable 2026.1 standard.
Compare pathways and offering types or review the authoritative program-status record.
Common reasons applications are not yet eligible
- A professional-certification claim based only on attendance or course completion; use COURSE for the offering or ABC when a defined learning assessment earns a certificate or micro-credential
- No legally responsible entity or unclear program ownership
- No documented assessment or completion criteria
- Program not yet delivered to real candidates or learners
Not sure where you stand?
That is exactly what the free eligibility inquiry resolves — you receive a written determination and, where relevant, the specific gap list. Start the eligibility review or download the Readiness Guide first.