ACPE continues to be the leading accrediting body for CPE

ACPE is the leading accrediting body for Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) programs. ACPE is the only accrediting body to have received direct recognition from the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) for CPE, maintaining this distinguished status for 55 years.

Recently, ACPE made a strategic decision to step back from the USDE recognition renewal process to strengthen its most recent application. ACPE intends to reapply for recognition within the next 12 months.

In the meantime, please note:

1.  All current CPE programs accredited by ACPE remain valid. Units taken in pursuit of certification, endorsement, or otherwise remain applicable.
2. Unless otherwise noted, all ACPE activities and processes (e.g., planning meetings, ethics reviews, site visits, etc.) will continue as scheduled.
3. Under its statute, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) continues to recognize ACPE as a national approving body, ensuring that ACPE-accredited programs remain eligible for Medicare Pass-through funding.

This decision does not impact the accreditation status of any of our programs, units, or centers. ACPE remains the preferred provider of choice for CPE, and we continue to uphold the highest standards of quality and integrity in clinical pastoral education.

We will continue to update our stakeholders on our progress.