Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Continuing Education is a single accreditation for organizations that plan continuing education by and for the healthcare team, reviewed jointly by ACCME, ACPE and ANCC. This page is for professional associations, education businesses and health systems that already run continuing education and have the operating history the eligibility rules require. Integral Healthcare Solutions (IHS) builds the activity-evidence system and policies for Joint Accreditation; your educators own the content.
Last reviewed: October 2026.
What is Joint Accreditation?
Joint Accreditation describes the application this way: "When you're ready to apply, you'll submit materials including a self-study report and supporting activity files with a fee, and participate in an accreditation review jointly managed by ACCME, ACPE and ANCC" (Joint Accreditation, Accreditation Process).
The governing text is the Joint Accreditation Criteria, JAC 1 through JAC 12, as published on jointaccreditation.org. The criteria page shows no version date; this page reflects it as we reviewed it on October 2, 2026. This page quotes two of them:
- "JAC 6 The provider utilizes an integrated planning process that includes health care professionals who are reflective of the target audience the activity is designed to address."
- "JAC 12 The provider develops activities/interventions that comply with the Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, which includes the responsibility to: a. Ensure content is valid. b. Prevent commercial bias and marketing in accredited continuing education. c. Identify, mitigate, and disclose relevant financial relationships" (Joint Accreditation Criteria).
JAC 12 brings in a second document, the Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. This page does not quote that document; your team works from its current text.
Above the core criteria sits a further level. The process page says: "Surpass the Core 12 Criteria to Earn Joint Accreditation with Commendation" (Joint Accreditation, Accreditation Process).
Who needs it and what triggers it
Joint Accreditation is for organizations with an established interprofessional continuing education program. Joint Accreditation states that an organization is eligible to seek accreditation when all of its listed conditions are present. Two turn on history:
- "The structure and processes to plan and present education designed by and for the healthcare team are in place and fully functional for at least the past 18 months" (Joint Accreditation, Eligibility).
- "At least 25% of all educational activities delivered by the organization during the past 18 months are categorized as 'interprofessional' and can demonstrate an integrated planning process that includes health care professionals from two or more professions who are reflective of the target audience the activity is designed to address" (Joint Accreditation, Eligibility).
The calendar is the second trigger. "The Joint Accreditation application process is organized into 2 annual cycles, beginning June 1 and October 1." The published milestones are listed in pairs for the two cycles: "Provider informed of eligibility (for initial applicants) July 15 / November 15"; the self-study report and activity files due "March 1 / July 7"; and "Provider notified of decision no later than July 31 / December 31" (Joint Accreditation, Accreditation Timeline). Overall, "The Review Process Takes Approximately 12 Months" (Joint Accreditation, Accreditation Process).
Accredited providers face a third trigger: reaccreditation. "Twelve (12) months prior to expiration of your accreditation term, you'll submit the Intent to Re-Apply with a reaccreditation fee, followed by submission of an activity list, self-study, activity files, and participate in an accreditation review conference call" (Joint Accreditation, Reaccreditation).
How IHS helps
Joint Accreditation states: "We do not require the use of accreditation consultants, nor do we endorse any particular consultants" (Joint Accreditation, Accreditation Process). An organization can apply on its own. Where it brings in outside help, IHS works through the criteria with its team:
- An eligibility assessment first, against the 18-month history and 25% interprofessional requirements. If the history is not there yet, the assessment says so before your organization pays the eligibility review fee.
- A gap assessment against JAC 1 through JAC 12.
- An activity-evidence system and compliance workflow: planning records that show the integrated planning process, and records of how financial relationships are identified, mitigated and disclosed.
- Drafting: continuing education policies and procedures, written for your education leaders to review and approve, and organization of the application materials.
- A mock review of the activity files and self-study report before your organization submits them.
What you supply: your activity history and activity files, planner records, and the educators who own teaching content and outcomes.
The limit: eligibility depends on your organization's own history over the past 18 months. IHS cannot create that history. What IHS brings is its process: gap assessment, evidence mapping and mock review against the governing text. Your organization files the application.
What to have ready
This is the list we would ask for first, each item tied to what Joint Accreditation publishes.
- A description of the structure and processes for planning team-based education, with evidence they have been fully functional for at least 18 months (Eligibility).
- A list of all activities delivered in the past 18 months, with those categorized as interprofessional marked, so you can see whether you reach 25% (Eligibility).
- Evidence of good standing with any current ACCME, ACPE or ANCC accreditation (Eligibility).
- Planning records showing professionals from two or more professions who reflect each activity's target audience (Eligibility; JAC 6, Criteria).
- Records of how content validity is ensured and how commercial bias and marketing are prevented (JAC 12 a and b, Criteria).
- Records showing relevant financial relationships identified, mitigated and disclosed (JAC 12 c, Criteria).
- The current text of the Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, which JAC 12 incorporates (Criteria).
- A target cycle, June 1 or October 1, and its self-study and activity file due date (Accreditation Timeline).
- Counts of activities and learner interactions, which set your annual fee tier (Fees, effective February 1, 2026).
- Budget for the eligibility review and initial application fees (Fees, effective February 1, 2026).
If most of this is in place, the introductory call is the place to start.
How it compares
| Route | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Joint Accreditation | One review "jointly managed by ACCME, ACPE and ANCC," against JAC 1 through JAC 12, for organizations meeting its published eligibility conditions (Joint Accreditation; Eligibility). |
| Joint Accreditation with Commendation | A further level for providers that "Surpass the Core 12 Criteria" (Joint Accreditation). |
| Separate single-profession accreditations | ACCME, ANCC and ACPE are the three collaborating accreditors. We have not reviewed the requirements of their separate pathways. |
Each route has its own requirements. This page does not recommend one over another.
What it costs
Joint Accreditation publishes "Accreditation Fees (Effective February 1, 2026)" and notes "Fees are subject to change" (Joint Accreditation, Fees).
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Eligibility Review | $2,500 |
| Initial Application | $27,000 |
| Reaccreditation | $6,000 |
| Progress Report | $2,500 |
| Extension Fee | $2,500 |
| Profession Addition Fee | $1,500 ($1,600 starting January 1, 2027) |
Annual fees are tiered by activities and learner interactions, and are the same for 2026 and 2027: Tier 1 (159 or fewer activities, 22,343 or fewer learner interactions) $26,500; Tier 2 $28,000; Tier 3 $29,500; Tier 4 $32,000; Tier 5 (more than 3,767 activities, more than 998,119 learner interactions) $39,000 (Joint Accreditation, Fees). Verify current fees with Joint Accreditation.
IHS scopes each engagement after a free introductory call.
What this is not
- IHS is not an accrediting body and does not grant, influence or predict a Joint Accreditation decision.
- IHS does not submit the application, self-study or activity files, or take part in the review for your organization. IHS drafts; your organization submits.
- This page is not legal advice. Educational content, faculty choices and outcome measures belong to your educators.
Frequently asked questions
What is Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Continuing Education?
It is one accreditation for continuing education designed by and for the healthcare team, with the review jointly managed by ACCME, ACPE and ANCC. Applicants submit a self-study report and supporting activity files with a fee. The governing text is the Joint Accreditation Criteria, JAC 1 through JAC 12.
Are we eligible for Joint Accreditation?
Joint Accreditation lists conditions that must all be present. Two turn on history: Your structure and processes for team-based education must have been in place and fully functional for at least the past 18 months. At least 25% of all activities delivered in that period must be interprofessional, with an integrated planning process that includes professionals from two or more professions reflecting the target audience. A third condition: the organization demonstrates compliance with the Joint Accreditation Criteria and is in good standing if it holds a current accreditation from ACCME, ACPE or ANCC.
Joint Accreditation or separate ACCME, ANCC and ACPE accreditation: which is better for a health system?
That choice belongs to your organization. Joint Accreditation is a single review jointly managed by the three accreditors, open to organizations that meet Joint Accreditation's published eligibility conditions. This page does not cover the requirements of the separate pathways.
How long does Joint Accreditation take, and when are the application cycles?
Joint Accreditation states that the review process takes approximately 12 months. There are two cycles a year, beginning June 1 and October 1. The published milestones list self-study and activity file due dates of March 1 / July 7 and decision notice no later than July 31 / December 31.
How much does Joint Accreditation cost, including the annual fee?
The fees effective February 1, 2026 list an Eligibility Review of $2,500 and an Initial Application of $27,000. Annual fees run from $26,500 for Tier 1 to $39,000 for Tier 5, based on activities and learner interactions. Fees are subject to change, so verify current fees with Joint Accreditation.
What goes into the self-study report and activity files?
The application consists of a self-study report and supporting activity files. Their content is measured against JAC 1 through JAC 12. This page does not reproduce the self-study template.
What is an integrated planning process and how do we document it?
JAC 6 requires a planning process that includes health care professionals who reflect the target audience of the activity. The eligibility rules add that interprofessional activities must show planning by professionals from two or more professions. IHS's reading (October 2026): that calls for planning records naming who planned each activity and their professions.
How do we handle financial relationships under the Standards for Integrity and Independence?
JAC 12 requires activities to comply with the Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. That includes ensuring content is valid, preventing commercial bias and marketing, and identifying, mitigating and disclosing relevant financial relationships. The Standards document itself governs the detail.
What are the 12 Joint Accreditation criteria?
They are JAC 1 through JAC 12, published on the Joint Accreditation criteria page. This page quotes two of them: JAC 6 on integrated planning and JAC 12 on integrity and independence. Read the full set on jointaccreditation.org.