Nursing accreditation: what to verify and where

By NursingAcademy · October 1, 2026

Do not treat different checks as interchangeable

Program accreditation, institutional accreditation, and board approval answer different questions. A statement about the university does not, on its own, establish the status of each nursing program or whether it meets a licensing jurisdiction’s requirements.

Use the original directories

Search the ACEN directory and, where relevant, the CCNE directory using the institution and exact program. Read the status shown; a candidate for accreditation must not be described as already accredited. Verify current board requirements with the nursing regulatory body.

• Record the exact institution, degree, program, and campus.
• Open the accreditor’s own listing and match the program.
• Record the status and date, including any limitations in the listing.
• Check the relevant board’s approval or eligibility information.
• Ask the school to clarify any mismatch in writing.
• Keep the original links and recheck before making a commitment.

Your checks stay in this page only. Print this checklist to keep a copy.

Online is a delivery format

An online label does not establish state eligibility, eliminate in-person requirements, or guarantee that a qualification will be accepted for a later program. Ask the institution about your location and intended goal.

What this guide does not establish

NursingAcademy is not an accreditor and cannot certify a program’s status. Directory records can change. Decisions about eligibility belong to the relevant institution and regulator.

Sources

• Search Programs
  Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing · Accessed 2026-10-01
• Find Accredited Programs
  Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education · Accessed 2026-10-01
• Licensure
  National Council of State Boards of Nursing · Accessed 2026-10-01
• Board of Nursing Contacts
  National Council of State Boards of Nursing · Accessed 2026-10-01

Check current requirements with the institution or regulator before making a decision.