What is an accrediting body?

An accrediting body is an independent organization that evaluates and certifies whether a school, training program, or professional organization meets certain quality standards. These bodies ensure that programs deliver consistent, credible education or services—and that individuals certified or educated through them are qualified to perform specific roles or tasks.

For small business owners and hiring managers, understanding accrediting bodies is especially important when you’re hiring for roles that require specific training, certifications, or degrees. Whether you're verifying a candidate’s nursing license or checking if a culinary school is reputable, an accrediting body provides the assurance you need to make a confident hire.

What does an accrediting body do?

Accrediting bodies evaluate organizations based on criteria like:

• Curriculum quality
  
  
• Instructor qualifications
  
  
• Facility standards
  
  
• Student outcomes and job placement
  
  
• Ongoing compliance and review
  
  

Once an organization passes the evaluation, it’s granted accreditation, meaning it has met (and maintains) those standards. This accreditation helps students, employers, and the public trust that the training or credentials are legitimate.

Examples of accrediting bodies

Depending on the industry, you’ll find different accrediting organizations. Here are a few examples:

• Education:
  
  
  
  • Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
    
    
  • Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
    
    
  • Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
    
    
• Healthcare:
  
  
  
  • Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
    
    
  • Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
    
    
• Skilled trades and certification:
  
  
  
  • National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER)
    
    
  • American Welding Society (AWS)
    
    
• Hospitality and culinary:
  
  
  
  • American Culinary Federation Education Foundation (ACFEF)
    
    

When reviewing a candidate’s resume, a quick search of the accrediting body behind their degree or certification can go a long way.

Why accrediting bodies matter to employers

When you're hiring for specialized roles, especially in healthcare, education, or skilled trades, verifying a candidate’s credentials is crucial. Here’s why working with accredited programs and institutions matters:

• Quality assurance – Accreditation ensures the training was rigorous and up to date
  
  
• Regulatory compliance – Some industries legally require certification from accredited programs
  
  
• Hiring confidence – Knowing a certification is backed by a respected body helps you trust the candidate’s skills
  
  
• Team safety and performance – Properly trained employees reduce risk and improve outcomes
  
  

Accrediting bodies help you avoid costly mistakes—like hiring someone with a non-recognized or outdated certification.

How to verify an accrediting body

If you're unsure about a program or certification:

1. Search the accrediting body online – Most have public directories of accredited institutions
   
   
2. Check with professional associations – Industry organizations often list recognized accrediting bodies
   
   
3. Consult state or federal resources – For education, the U.S. Department of Education maintains a list of recognized accreditors
   
   

If a program claims to be accredited but you can’t verify the accreditor, it’s a red flag.

Accrediting body vs. licensing board

While related, they serve different roles:

• Accrediting body – Certifies the quality of an institution or program
  
  
• Licensing board – Grants individuals permission to work in a specific profession (e.g., state nursing boards)
  
  

For example, a medical assistant might attend an accredited school and then apply for a license or certification from a licensing board.

How Homebase helps streamline hiring and onboarding

When you’re juggling hiring, paperwork, and compliance, it’s easy to overlook credential checks. Homebase makes it easier to hire qualified candidates, onboard them quickly, and track certifications all in one place.

With Homebase, you can:

• Post jobs to top boards and review applicants faster
  
  
• Collect and store employee documents, licenses, and certifications securely
  
  
• Customize onboarding checklists and forms by role
  
  
• Stay organized with digital records and reminders for renewals
  
  

Explore Homebase hiring and onboarding tools to make smarter hiring decisions—and give your team a great start from day one.