Overview of CCCEP Accreditation
CCCEP Accreditation, which ensures programs meet established Standards and Guidelines, is recognized by all provinces and territories.
CCCEP accreditation begins with an application for the accreditation of a New Learning Activity. Once accredited, a provider may apply for four different types of changes to the accreditation (Administrative, Delivery Type, Update and Extension). Each are explained briefly below.
- New Learning Activity: accreditation of a learning activity that has not been previously accredited by CCCEP or a CCCEP accredited learning activity in which more than 10% of the content has been changed.
- Administrative Change: A review conducted when there is a change in an administrative component of the learning activity (e.g. provider), name or title of the activity, removal of a section of an accredited learning activity, or other situations approved by CCCEP.
- Delivery Type/Mode Change: the accreditation of a currently accredited learning activity in a different delivery mode after the necessary revisions (e.g., accredit a live learning activity as an independent study, or vice versa).
- Activity Update: A review conducted when there are changes in a few key facts or content (maximum 10% of content) to keep the learning activity current and according to the latest research or accepted practice.
- Extension: the re-accreditation of a currently accredited learning activity, in which there is no or minimal change in the content of the learning activity, for another accreditation period.
CCCEP provides a regular review process and a fast track process. While the same review process is used for both types of applications, a fast track review is completed in less than half the time of the regular review.
There are six steps in the accreditation process for a new learning activity accreditation:
- Pre-Application (Development): provider develops the learning activity, has expert review(s) completed and prepares other required documents.
- Application Submission: provider completes the online application form and submits the learning activity content and other required documents to CCCEP.
- Accreditation Review: CCCEP reviews the application and prepares the Preliminary Report on the review.
- Decision on Accreditation: CCCEP sends the Preliminary Report to the provider, identifying any changes required for accreditation; after which the provider advises CCCEP of the changes made to the learning activity and submits the revised program.
- Finalize Documentation: If approved, CCCEP sends a letter of accreditation, lists the program on the CCCEP website and finalizes documentation.
- Post-Accreditation: Provider delivers the activity, submits required reports to CCCEP, and applies for renewals and updates as needed.
While regular accreditation is typical for most programs accredited by CCCEP, accreditation as a certificate program is also possible. A certificate level program is considered to include a higher level of learning than a regular continuing education program. To be accredited as a certificate program a continuing education program must meet specific conditions relating to application of learning and learner assessment.
CCCEP also provides accreditation for Conferences. A conference is a set of learning activities by different presenters on diverse topics that are combined into a single program by the program provider.
A conference accreditation is issued to a conference organization for the accreditation of one or more sessions to be presented at a conference. The application for conference accreditation will be made by the conference organizer. Only the organization that is hosting the conference and considered the “conference organizer” may apply for a conference accreditation.
The accreditation review process is the same as for a new learning activity, except for the following:
- Exemption from Expert Review. A conference is exempted from expert review.
- Exemption from Learner Assessment.
- The conference organizer is responsible to ensure that conference presenters are aware of and follow the standards for clinical relevance, unbiased presentation, completeness, accuracy and references.
In addition to the regular accreditation process and Conference accreditation, CCCEP also conducts Competency Mapped Accreditation. This is an enhanced accreditation process for certificate programs. Competency Mapped programs must meet the requirements for accreditation as a certificate program and meet a set of pre-determined competencies. Programs submitted for Competency Mapped accreditation are first reviewed as certificate programs (stage 1) and then reviewed to ensure that the objectives and content of the program meet the pre-determined set of requirements or standards for a subject area (stage 2).
The current Competency Mapped Accredited Program areas are: Immunization and Injection; and Cannabis and Patient Care in Pharmacy.
CCCEP also conducts Learning Objective Mapped Accreditation where programs must meet a set of pre-determined learning objectives. Programs submitted for Competency Mapped accreditation are first reviewed as regular learning activities (stage 1) and then reviewed to ensure that the objectives and content of the program meet the pre-determined requirements for a subject area (stage 2).
There is one Learning Objective Mapped Accredited Program area currently: Pharmacy Manager Training.
Finally, CCCEP is currently in the process of implementing (target date to accept accreditation applications is February 28, 2022) a new accreditation area called Regularly Scheduled Series. A Regularly Scheduled Series (RSS) is a set/series of multiple live continuing health education sessions that occur on an ongoing, scheduled basis (e.g. weekly, monthly, quarterly) that are organized by, and meet the learning needs of, a defined group of health professionals. The learning activities of an RSS are organized by an RSS approved Provider, under the guidance of a Scientific Planning Committee (SPC). To seek accreditation for RSS activities providers must first meet the criteria for, and be approved as, an RSS provider.
