(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 annual reports or survey visits. Types of accreditation include:
- (1) Initial accreditation. Initial accreditation is written authorization to admit students and is granted if the program meets the requirements of the Board.
- (2) Full accreditation. Full accreditation is granted to an advanced educational program after one class has completed the program and is based upon evidence that the program is continuing to meet the Board's legal and educational requirements.
(3) Accreditation (Initial or Full) With Warning
- (A) Issuance of warning. When the Board determines that a program is not meeting the Board's legal and/or education 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.
(B) Failure to correct deficiencies. If the program fails to correct the deficiencies within the prescribed period, the Board may:
- (i) Restrict admissions or other program activities until the deficiencies are corrected,
- (ii) Place the program on conditional accreditation, or
- (iii) Deny accreditation.
(4) Conditional Accreditation. Conditional accreditation is granted for a time specified by the Board in order to provide additional time to correct the deficiencies.
- (A) The program shall not admit students while on conditional accreditation.
- (B) The Board may establish specific criteria to be met in order for the program's conditional accreditation status to be removed.
- (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 deny accreditation.
(b) Denial of Accreditation. A program that 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 denial of initial or continuing accreditation include but are not limited to:
- (1) Failure to meet specific criteria set out by the Board and
- (2) Continued lack of compliance with minimum requirements as set out in this chapter.
(c) Accreditation Procedures. The continuing accreditation status of each program shall be determined annually by the Board based upon:
- (1) Review of annual report. Each Board-accredited advanced educational 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 and other pertinent data when a program is not visited by staff.
- (2) Survey visit. Each nursing program will be visited at least every six years after full accreditation has been granted. The Board may authorize staff to conduct a survey visit at any time based upon established criteria.
- (3) A written report of the survey visit or annual report will be reviewed by the Board at a regularly scheduled meeting.
- (4) 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.
(d) Voluntary Withdrawal from the Accreditation Process.
- (1) An advanced educational program accredited by the Board may withdraw from the Board accreditation process by notifying the Board of its intention to withdraw in writing
- (2) The advanced educational program shall be removed from the list of Board accredited nursing programs.
- (3) Withdrawal of accreditation status will become effective at the end of the yearly review period.
- (4) Programs may reapply for initial accreditation at any time.
Source Note:The provisions of this §219.4 adopted to be effective September 13, 2001, 26 TexReg 6889.