How to Check Nursing Program Accreditation

Check the exact program, degree, campus, and current status using the responsible organizations’ records.

Check board approval and accreditation separately

State nursing-board approval and nursing-program accreditation are separate checks. NCSBN describes the board’s role in approval of nursing education. Program accreditation is reviewed through the relevant accrediting organization. Do not treat a university’s general accreditation statement as confirmation of every nursing pathway.

Match the exact program

Record the school’s official name, campus or location, degree level, and pathway. Search the relevant accreditor’s directory, including CCNE, ACEN, or NLN CNEA as applicable. Check that the record covers the program you intend to enter. A similarly named campus or another degree at the same school may have a different record.

Read the status and dates

Open the full record rather than relying on a logo or search snippet. Note the current status, scope, and any public actions or conditions. If the program is new or describes candidacy, ask the accreditor and the school what that status means for your cohort. Keep the source and date with your notes.

Confirm the licensure destination

For a prelicensure program, consult the nursing board in the state where you plan to seek a license. Ask the school for its program-specific licensure disclosure, particularly if you live in another state. School admission, completion of a degree, and eligibility for a professional license are separate decisions.

Use outcomes with context

When reviewing NCLEX performance, check the year, RN or PN exam, first-time or repeat test takers, and the program or campus represented. Candidate counts help explain how much a small change can move a percentage. Do not apply a prelicensure NCLEX result to an RN-to-BSN completion program.

What our listings currently establish

Our source-review dates cover the basic program facts displayed. We do not mark a program’s accreditation independently verified until the corresponding accreditor record has been checked. Missing verification is a limit of our directory, not a claim that the school lacks accreditation.

Official sources

Educational planning information. Confirm your individual admission and licensure eligibility with the school and relevant board.