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CHSPS-ACC-102 · Published Procedure · Edition 2026.1

Reconsideration, Complaints & Appeals

Three distinct tracks with different purposes: reconsideration re-examines the substance, appeals review the process, and complaints address conduct — of accredited programs or of CHSPS itself.

Complaints

Who can file: anyone — candidates, learners, employers, the public.

About what: an accredited program’s conformity with CHSPS standards (e.g., unfair candidate treatment, misleading claims, security failures) — or the conduct of CHSPS itself.

What happens next

  1. Acknowledgment within 2 business days.
  2. Screening: is it within CHSPS scope? (Individual exam-score disputes belong first with the program’s own appeal process.)
  3. Investigation by conflict-free staff, with the program given a chance to respond.
  4. Written outcome — which can include required corrective action, for-cause review, or referral of status to the Decision Committee.

Complaints may be filed anonymously; anonymous filings are investigated to the extent the information allows. Retaliation by an accredited program against a complainant is itself a standards violation.

Reconsideration

Purpose: re-examination of the substance — where relevant evidence was misunderstood, a factual conclusion needs correction, or material information qualifies for consideration before or shortly after a decision.

  1. File within 30 days of findings or decision, identifying the specific conclusion and the evidence at issue.
  2. Before a final accreditation decision, factual or technical clarification may be handled through the technical-review process. After a final accreditation decision, post-decision substantive reconsideration is decided by the conflict-free Accreditation Decision Committee, or an expressly authorized conflict-free substitute decision body, under the published quorum, conflict-screening and record requirements. No original review lead decides a post-decision substantive reconsideration merely by defending the earlier finding or recommendation.
  3. Written outcome within 30 days: conclusion confirmed, revised, or returned for focused re-review. Reconsideration is free.

Appeals

Purpose: review of the process, not a second technical review. Who can file: applicant or accredited organizations, within 30 days of an adverse decision (denial, deferral conditions, suspension, withdrawal), normally after reconsideration where the dispute is substantive.

Appeal-window protection. When a timely reconsideration is requested, the appeal filing period is tolled and begins again on the date CHSPS issues the reconsideration outcome. Following the published reconsideration step will not cause an applicant to forfeit appeal rights.

How appeals are decided

  1. File in writing on one or more grounds: procedural error, due-process failure, conflict of interest, or improper application of the published standards.
  2. The Appeals Panel examines the record. Panel members shall not have participated in the technical review, original decision or substantive reconsideration of the appealed matter.
  3. Target written decision within 45 days: uphold the decision, vacate it, remand for reconsideration, or require an independent re-review. The panel’s decision is final within CHSPS.

Filing does not change public status during review except where required to protect the public. Reconsideration, complaints and appeals are free; no filing fee is charged. Full definitions: Decisions & Status Definitions.

Fields marked are required.

File a complaint or appeal

Leave blank to file anonymously. Anonymous complaints are investigated when they contain enough information to be investigable; without contact details CHSPS cannot request clarification or report the outcome to you.

Filing received

CHSPS acknowledges complaints or appeals within two business days with a reference number and next-step information.

CHSPS reference criteria

Quantitative operating targets for this function

These CHSPS reference criteria define the current operating and interpretation ranges for this function. They support consistent review and quality monitoring without replacing clause-level professional judgment.

CHSPS Reference Criteria 2026.1. These are CHSPS-adopted operating/reference criteria for consistent interpretation and quality monitoring. They are not empirical benchmarks, industry norms or automatic accreditation cutoffs unless a normative clause expressly incorporates a value. CHSPS will recalibrate them when sufficient validated operational data are available.
Methodology
CAP-R01

Complaint/appeal acknowledgment

Preferred≤ 2 business days
Watch3–5 days
Review> 5 days
CAP-R02

Conflict screen before case assignment

Preferred100%
Watch—
Review< 100%
CAP-R03

Initial case review

Preferred≤ 30 days
Watch31–45 days
Review> 45 days
CAP-R04

Appeal decision after complete record

Preferred≤ 45 days
Watch46–60 days
Review> 60 days
CAP-R05

Written rationale issued

Preferred100%
Watch—
Review< 100%