Federal Panel Recommends Full, Three-Year Federal Recognition for CCE

 

Arlington, Va.—A Department of Education (DOE) panel today recommended a full, three-year federal recognition for the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE), according to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). The recommendation follows a hearing in Washington, D.C. and is expected to be approved in early 2014.

ACA provided testimony in support of CCE before DOE’s National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI), noting that it was confident CCE has taken the necessary steps to continue its tenure as the federally recognized accrediting agency for chiropractic colleges.

In December 2011, CCE was granted a one-year continuing accreditation--a standard practice--meaning the council’s federal recognition was renewed with the requirement that it provide additional information in 12 months. The decision indicated CCE substantially met NACIQI’s criteria but needed to address specific issues to be considered in full compliance. In particular, NACIQI required CCE to improve communication with its constituents and to demonstrate that its standards and policies receive wide acceptance in the profession. At the hearing, NACIQI staff told the committee that CCE had adequately addressed all previous concerns and that there were no remaining issues.

“Since 2011, CCE has worked with all stakeholders, large and small, to come into compliance and address the issues raised two years ago,” said ACA Chief Executive Officer James Potter, who testified at the hearing. “It is a fundamental licensing requirement of 45 states that qualified applicants must have earned their DC degree from a chiropractic college accredited by CCE. In the interest of continuing this vital public safeguard, ACA fully supports the staff recommendation that the Department of Education continue, uninterrupted, CCE’s recognition as the accrediting agency for chiropractic education for the next three years.”

The hearing was part of CCE’s normal reaccreditation process, which occurs every five years. In addition to Potter, several others from the chiropractic profession made remarks in support of CCE.

In its 42-year history, CCE has established rigorous standards to ensure the quality of education at the 18 accredited chiropractic colleges in the United States. Its establishment and subsequent recognition by DOE is considered by many to be one of the most important milestones in the chiropractic profession’s history, leading not only to the availability of federal student loans for chiropractic students but also to federal grant and continuing education opportunities.

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA), celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2013, is the largest professional association in the United States representing doctors of chiropractic. ACA promotes the highest standards of patient care and professional ethics, and supports research that contributes to the health and well-being of millions of chiropractic patients. Visit www.acatoday.org.

Media Contacts:
Melissa Lee: (703) 812-0259 or [email protected]
Annette Bernat: (703) 812-0226 or [email protected]

 

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