Regulatory Considerations in National & Worldwide Mobility Joseph E. Brimhall, D.C. President, Council on Chiropractic Education – U.S. Moderator and Panelist

What is the role of accreditation? Certify quality of education by: –Development of valid criteria (CCE Standards) –Direct accreditation of programs & institutions (COA actions) –Endorsement of actions and standards of other accrediting agencies (formerly via Reciprocal Agreements)

Who accredits the accreditor? United States Department of Education – in accordance with federal law and regulations CHEA (Council on Higher Education Accreditation) – adherence to established criteria ASPA (Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors) – compliance with “Code of Good Practice” CCE-I – conformance with “Model Standards”

What is gained from mutual endorsement and recognition of international CCEs? Transferability of credits among accredited colleges MAY facilitate licensure mobility in jurisdictions outside the region

“Professional licensure is the responsibility of jurisdictional regulation, not the duty of accreditation.” Accreditation may be a resource for licensing bodies, much like professional testing is used by regulators.

“Accreditation is voluntary” Probably essential to a college, but is a choice, not an imposed requirement. Similar to professional licensure, Accreditation is a privilege, not a right.

WHY RECIPROCITY DOES NOT WORK… Only 2 entities involved, by definition “Leap frog” phenomenon Presumes equivalence of the two sets of Standards to each other. Does not consider regional differences

WHY RECIPROCITY DOES NOT WORK…(cont.) Who maintains assurance of equivalence? What happens when there are substantial differences between the two Standards (i.e. non-equivalence)?

What are the alternatives to international recognition? 1.Each agency accredits colleges outside its region/country (e.g. CCE-Canada directly accredits U.S. colleges) –Requires each college to maintain multiple accreditations if students want mobility –Requires the college’s adherence to different sets of programmatic accreditation Standards.

Another alternative…. Mutual recognition and endorsement of other CCE agencies through compliance with CCE-I core Model Standards CCE-I = The Councils on Chiropractic Education – International –Membership organization formed by the CCE agencies of the world –Each CCE world-wide approves the Model Standards and has representation on CCE-I –CCE-I is responsible to assure compliance of each CCE with the Model Standards

How does this work for regulation? Licensing bodies and other third parties may rely on the mutual endorsement and recognition provisions…. …as an effective and comparable approach to resolving questions regarding equivalency of international accreditation requirements and actions.

In other words… Regulatory bodies may choose to rely on the recognition and endorsement of each regional CCE (via compliance with CCEI Model Standards) as a means to facilitate international mobility.

PLEASE OBSERVE… It should be noted that CCEI endorsement and recognition of equivalency represents compliance and conformity with CCEI Model Standards and does not necessarily express identical equivalence with CCE-US Standards. Determination of compliance with individual jurisdictional requirements may require review on a case-by-case basis.

TO REITERATE: The decision of how much weight, if any, to give CCE’s mutual recognition and endorsement of other CCE agencies must remain with the licensing and regulatory organizations. CCE’s intent is to provide a model, through the CCE-I provisions, that will be of assistance to the licensing bodies in facilitating international mobility of licensure.

Mutual Recognition and Endorsement CCE USA CCE Canada European CCE Australasia Core requirements CCE-I Model Standards