Accreditation Mark & Claims Policy

Controlled documentCHSPS-ACC-106

StatusPublished Policy

Edition2026.1

The rule in one sentence

One accredited record. One exact scope. One verifiable claim.

A CHSPS accreditation mark may be used only after a final accreditation decision, only for the scope shown in the current official record and only while that status authorizes mark use.

Open controlled register Verify a record

Start here

Three CHSPS graphics can look official. They do not mean the same thing.

The accreditation seal and the live verification badge both relate to accreditation. The member badge does not. Choose the right artifact for the right use.

Official licensed mark

Accreditation seal

The round, scope-specific mark issued after an accreditation award. It carries the pathway designation and accreditation number.

Best for: Approved print, certificates, reports and static brand uses
Status: Licensed only while the record authorizes use
Rule: Never detach it from its exact accredited scope

CHSPS accreditation LIVE VERIFIED Example Accredited Organization CHSPS-CERT-2026-000001 · Current public record Official verification

Dashboard-generated web tool

Live verification badge

My CHSPS provides the embed controls for this status-aware web badge. It is served by CHSPS, links to public verification and updates when public status changes.

Best for: Organization websites and CMS pages
Install: From the accreditation record in My CHSPS
Rule: Do not screenshot, recolor, crop or detach the link

CHSPS MemberCommunity membership

Not an accreditation mark

Member badge

The member badge indicates participation in the CHSPS community only. It does not communicate accreditation, approval, certification or endorsement.

Best for: Permitted membership identification
Status: Membership status only
Rule: Never present membership as evidence of accreditation

The badge you see in the accreditation dashboard is not a second award. The dashboard is the installer and preview for the live verification badge. Your accreditation decision and official public record remain the source of authority.

Use & claims

What an accredited organization may say and display

The mark communicates a defined accreditation decision, not a blanket endorsement of an organization, product, person or activity outside the accredited scope.

✓

Permitted

Program websites, certificates, reports, brochures and signatures within the accredited scope.
Accurate statements that identify the accredited program or system by name.
Historical accreditation statements when dates make clear that status is no longer current.

!

Required

Use the exact CHSPS-issued artwork without alteration.
Keep the accreditation number with the seal and link digital claims to public verification.
Match the program, scope and current status shown in the official record.

×

Prohibited

Use before a final decision or after mark rights have ended.
Claims that imply CHSPS accredits the entire organization when only a defined program or system is accredited.
Claims that imply CHSPS certifies, licenses or endorses individual practitioners.

Use exact-scope wording

Preferred: “[Program name] is accredited by CHSPS.” For digital use, link the statement or live badge to the official verification record.

Avoid broad or personal claims

Do not say: “Our organization is CHSPS approved” when only one program is accredited, or “CHSPS-certified professional” when CHSPS did not certify the individual.

Credential holders. A person certified by a CHSPS-accredited certification program may accurately state that the certification was granted “by a CHSPS-accredited program.” The CHSPS accreditation seal is licensed to the accredited organization or program, not to the individual.

One seal per accreditation record

A consistent seal system, differentiated by pathway and number

Every issued seal uses the same CHSPS geometry and brand system while identifying the exact accreditation pathway and the record-specific accreditation number.

Certification Program

CHSPS-CERT-YYYY-000000

Education Provider

CHSPS-EDP-YYYY-000000

Course Accreditation

CHSPS-COURSE-YYYY-000000

CERTEDPCOURSEABCWBLHSAIREAMSSWCACEQAIG

The examples above are marked SAMPLE and are reference artwork only. The generic reference seal is not an issuable accreditation mark. Authorized production files are tied to a final accreditation decision and its official verification record.

Visual specification

Keep the seal legible, intact and unmistakably CHSPS

The mark license determines who may use the seal. These reproduction rules protect legibility and prevent a valid seal from being presented in a misleading way.

X clear spaceXXX Sample CHSPS accreditation seal shown with required clear space

Clear space

Keep at least the width of the outer navy ring around all sides. No text, logos, rules or other marks may enter this area.

Minimum size

Use the round seal at 180 px or larger on screen and 40 mm or larger in print so the pathway and accreditation number remain legible. For smaller digital placements, use the live verification badge or a linked text claim.

Backgrounds

Use on white, very light neutral backgrounds or an approved solid CHSPS navy field. Do not place the seal directly over busy photography.

Do not redraw

No recoloring, rotation, cropping, outline-only versions, gradients, glows, drop shadows or recreated variants.

Keep identity intact

The pathway designation and accreditation number are part of the issued mark. Never substitute another program name or number.

Use issued files

Reference samples on this page are not production files. Authorized artwork is issued for the specific accreditation record.

Preferred website use

The My CHSPS live verification badge keeps public status current

For websites, use the live badge generated from the accreditation record in My CHSPS. CHSPS serves the badge image and verification data, so visitors are not left looking at an outdated static claim.

1
Accreditation is issued and publicly verifiableThe badge becomes available only after an official accreditation number exists and the record is published for public verification.
2
Open the accreditation record in My CHSPSThe dashboard shows the live badge preview and installation controls for that exact record.
3
Install the live embedThe script embed is recommended. A CMS-compatible HTML image embed is available when JavaScript is blocked.
4
Status remains tied to CHSPSIf public status changes, the live badge changes with it. A screenshot or downloaded copy would defeat that protection.

Example embed

Use your exact accreditation number

Copy the generated code from My CHSPS rather than typing it manually.

<script src="https://chsps.org/seal.js"
  data-accreditation="CHSPS-YOUR-NUMBER">
</script>

Open My CHSPS Verify status

Do not screenshot the live badge. Do not alter, recolor, crop or detach its verification link.

Lifecycle & enforcement

Mark rights follow the accreditation record

The seal is not permanent property. Authorization follows the current decision status, and the live badge is designed to make status changes visible.

Current

Accredited status

Mark rights continue while status is Accredited, Accredited — Compliance Report Required, or an authorized Accredited — Renewal Review Pending status.

Pause

Suspension

Static mark use pauses during suspension. Existing live embeds display the applicable noncurrent or restricted public status rather than silently remaining positive.

Ends

Expiration, withdrawal or termination

Current mark use ends automatically. Historical accreditation may be described accurately only when dates and noncurrent status are clear.

How misuse is handled

01NoticeCHSPS documents the issue and provides an appropriate correction window.

02Mark license actionUncorrected or serious misuse may lead to suspension of mark rights.

03Status referralThe matter may be referred to the appropriate independent accreditation decision body.

04Public or legal actionCHSPS may publish notice where the public interest requires and pursue unauthorized third-party misuse under applicable law.

Certified Systems are a separate status class

APS and ALT-720 identify only the named technology system, version and scope shown in their official record. A Certified System mark must not be described as organization accreditation.

Verify Certified Systems

Need lifecycle detail? See the Expiration & Reinstatement Guide for termination, historical claims and reinstatement rules.

Protect the public record

See a questionable CHSPS accreditation claim?

A valid current claim should match an official CHSPS verification record by organization or program, scope, accreditation number and status.

Report a questionable claim

Related resources

Use, verify and explain accreditation responsibly

Using Your Accreditation →Certificates, public claims, verification and responsible promotion after award. Verify Accreditation →Check the official public record for an exact accreditation number. Controlled Documents →Confirm the current edition and authoritative CHSPS policy record.