1. (a) The progressive designation of accreditation status is not implied by the order of the following listing. Accreditation status is based upon each program's performance and demonstrated compliance to the Board's requirements. Change from one status to another is based on NCLEX-RN® examination pass rates and annual reports or survey visits. Types of accreditation include:

   1. (1) Initial accreditation. Initial accreditation is written authorization to admit students and is granted if the program meets the requirements of the Board.
   2. (2) Full accreditation--basic nursing program. Full accreditation is granted to a basic nursing program after the program has documented compliance with subsection (c)(2)(A) of this section. Only programs with full accreditation status may propose distance education initiatives and petition for faculty waivers.
   3. (3) Full Accreditation--post-licensure nursing programs. Full accreditation is granted to a post-licensure nursing program after one class has completed the program and the program meets the Board's legal and educational requirements.

   4. (4) Warning.

      1. (A) Issuance of warning. When the Board determines that a program is not meeting legal and educational requirements, the program is issued a warning, is provided a list of the deficiencies, and is given a specified time in which to correct the deficiencies.
      2. (B) Failure to correct deficiencies. If the program fails to correct the deficiencies within the prescribed period the Board may restrict admissions or other program activities until the deficiencies are corrected or the Board may place the program on conditional accreditation or withdraw accreditation.

   5. (5) Conditional accreditation. Conditional accreditation is granted for a time specified by the Board in order to provide additional time to correct deficiencies.

      1. (A) The program shall not admit students while on conditional status.
      2. (B) The Board may establish specific criteria to be met in order for the program's conditional accreditation status to be removed.
      3. (C) Depending upon the degree to which the Board's legal and educational requirements are met, the Board may change the accreditation status to full, warning, or withdraw accreditation.

2. (b) Withdrawal of accreditation. A program which fails to meet legal and educational requirements of the Board within the specified time shall be removed from the list of state accredited nursing programs. Reasons for withdrawal of accreditation include but are not limited to:

   1. (1) Continued lack of compliance with minimum requirements as set out in this chapter, and
   2. (2) Failure to meet specific criteria set out by the Board.

3. (c) Accreditation procedures. The continuing accreditation status of each program shall be determined annually by the Board based upon:

   1. (1) Review of annual report. Each accredited professional nursing program shall submit an annual report regarding its compliance with the Board's legal and educational requirements. Accreditation status is determined on the basis of the program's annual report, NCLEX-RN® examination pass rate, and other pertinent data when a program is not visited by staff during the examination year.

   2. (2) Pass rate of graduates on NCLEX-RN® examination.

      1. (A) In order for the nursing program to attain or maintain full accreditation, 80% of first-time candidates who complete the program of study must achieve a passing score on the NCLEX-RN® examination for two consecutive examination years.
      2. (B) When first-time candidates who complete the nursing program of study fail to achieve at least 80% during one examination year, the nursing program shall submit a self-study report that evaluates factors which contributed to the graduates' performance on the NCLEX-RN® examination and a description of the corrective measures to be implemented. The report shall follow Board guidelines.
      3. (C) A warning will be issued to the program based on the pass rate when the pass rate of first-time candidates, as described in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, is less than 80% for two consecutive examination years.
      4. (D) A program may be placed on conditional accreditation status if, within one examination year from the date of the warning, the performance of graduates fails to be at least 80%, or the faculty fail to implement appropriate corrective measures.
      5. (E) Accreditation may be withdrawn if the performance of graduates fails to be at least 80% during the examination year following the date that the program is placed on conditional accreditation.
      6. (F) A program placed on warning or conditional accreditation status may request a review of the program accreditation status by the Board at a regularly scheduled meeting if the program's pass rate for first-time candidates during one examination year is at least 80%.

4. (d) Survey visit. Each nursing program will be visited at least every six years after full accreditation has been granted, unless accredited by a Board recognized voluntary accrediting body.

   1. (1) The Board may authorize staff to conduct a survey visit at any time based upon established criteria.
   2. (2) After a program is fully accredited by the Board, a report from a Board recognized voluntary accrediting body regarding a program's accreditation status may be accepted in lieu of a Board survey visit.
   3. (3) A written report of the survey visit, annual report, and NCLEX-RN® examination pass rate will be reviewed by the Board at a regularly scheduled meeting.
5. (e) Notice of a program's accreditation status will be sent to the director, chief administrative officer of the governing institution, and others as determined by the Board.

Source Note:The provisions of this §215.4 adopted to be effective August 17, 2003, 28 TexReg 6540.