Accreditation Services & Fees

INDEPENDENT • ETHICAL • TRANSPARENT

Accreditation Services & Fees

Global Private-Sector Quality Assurance for Education & Training Institutions. CEQA provides a structured international accreditation, recognition and framework designed specifically for legitimate private-sector training institutions, academies, skills centres, online schools, and corporate learning divisions operating outside national qualification authorities.

CEQA Accreditation Services

  • Recognition of Accreditation Agencies & Quality Assurance Bodies
  • OTC (Online Training Centres) [Udemy, Coursera, Alison etc]
  • Institutional & Programme Accreditation (Tiers 2–5)
  • Tier 1 Higher Education Governmental Accreditation Pathway Facilitation

Tier 1 — National Higher Education Governmental Brokerage operates under a separate framework and is not included in the Tier 2–5 accreditation structure.

OTC — See more on OTC accreditation below.

What This Page Covers

  • Recognition of accreditation agencies & QA bodies
  • Scope of CEQA private-sector accreditation (Tiers 2–5)
  • Eligibility requirements
  • Minimum learning hours framework
  • Accreditation process, cycle & decisions
  • Accreditation fees & programme structure

Fees listed below. All fees are in USD; taxes may apply depending on jurisdiction.

Recognition of Accreditation Agencies & Quality Assurance Bodies

CEQA conducts independent research, governance reviews, and quality assurance evaluations on selected private-sector accreditation councils operating nationally and internationally.

Accreditation bodies that meet CEQA’s legitimacy, transparency, and operational quality criteria may be formally Recognised and listed in the CEQA Directory of Recognised Accreditation Bodies.

How Recognition Works

Recognition is granted following CEQA’s structured assessment process and alignment with CEQA’s policies, procedures, standards, and compliance expectations.

This service may be applied for through the CEQA Applications Portal, and the applicable fees are listed in the Accreditation Agency Recognition Fees section below.

Scope of CEQA Private-Sector Accreditation (Tiers 2–5)

CEQA’s accreditation framework applies to private-sector institutions, schools, academies, training centres, universities, online providers, and corporate learning divisions seeking institutional and programme accreditation under Tiers 2–5.

What CEQA Evaluates & Accredits

  • Tier 2 — Institutional Accreditation
    Whole-institution quality assurance for private colleges, academies, training providers, and online universities.
  • Tier 3 — Programme Accreditation
    Diplomas, degrees, advanced certificates, and vocational programmes.
  • Tier 4 — Short Course Accreditation
    Structured short courses, professional development routes, 6–12 month programmes.
  • Tier 5 — Micro-Learning / Workshop Accreditation
    Workshops, CPD short courses, masterclasses, micro-credentials and skills-based learning.

Across All Tiers, CEQA Verifies

  • Legitimacy & legal status
  • Governance & leadership
  • Quality assurance systems
  • Training delivery capability
  • Ethical marketing & transparency
  • Learner protection
  • Trainer competence
  • Assessment practices (where applicable)
  • Alignment to industry-recognised best practices

Eligibility Requirements

Who CEQA accepts & who CEQA does not accept.

✔ Eligible Providers

CEQA accredits:

  • Registered private training providers
  • Skills development centres
  • Academies and institutes
  • Online, hybrid, or blended learning institutions
  • Corporate training departments
  • Independent professional training providers
  • CPD providers
  • Specialist academies (tech, business, health, beauty, religious training, etc.)

❌ Not Eligible for CEQA Accreditation

CEQA does not accredit:

  • Unregistered or illegally operating providers
  • Institutions selling degrees, titles, or credentials without real training
  • Providers promising immigration, employment, or government recognition
  • Institutions offering unverified medical or dangerous training
  • Providers with unresolved fraud reports
  • Institutions that fail identity or legitimacy checks

CEQA may refuse or defer accreditation for newly established institutions with insufficient governance, providers lacking minimum training systems or documentation, or institutions with misleading public claims.

Minimum Learning Hours Framework (Guideline Ranges)

These are broad private-sector expectations. CEQA allows flexibility but requires clear justification where institutions differ.

Tier Type Typical Duration Minimum GLH
Tier 2 Institution N/A N/A
Tier 3 Multi-Year Programmes 1–3 years 600–1800+ GLH
Tier 4 Short Courses 6–12 months 120–400 GLH
Tier 5 Micro-Learning / Workshops < 6 months 4–120 GLH

GLH = structured, guided, instructor-led or supervised learning.

CEQA Accreditation Process

CEQA uses a three-stage audit, aligned with international private accreditation practices.

Stage 1: Screening (7–14 Days)
  • Eligibility verification
  • Identity and registration checks
  • Website review
  • Initial risk assessment
  • Verification of basic documentation

Outcome: Proceed / Additional Info Required / Declined.

Stage 2: Quality Audit (30–60 Days)

CEQA conducts a full institutional and/or programme audit which may include:

  • Document audit: Policies, governance, course materials, trainer CVs, assessment instruments.
  • Virtual site visit (if required): Management interview, trainer/staff interviews, LMS demonstration, review of student support and assessment processes.
  • Sampling: Classes, assessments, internal moderation, student feedback.
Stage 3: Verification & Decision (14–30 Days)

Quality board review followed by one of the following decisions:

  • 🟩 Approved: Meets all CEQA standards.
  • 🟦 Approved with Conditions: Accreditation granted; specific issues must be corrected within a set timeframe.
  • 🟨 Deferred: More evidence required; accreditation paused.
  • 🟥 Rejected: Major non-compliance or institutional risk.

Accreditation Cycle & Renewal

Every CEQA-accredited provider undergoes regular monitoring and periodic re-accreditation to confirm sustained quality.

✔ Annual Review (All Institutions)

  • Policy updates
  • Staff qualification updates
  • Programme changes
  • Complaints history
  • Marketing transparency
  • Quality assurance maintenance

✔ Full Re-Accreditation Every 3 Years

A deeper audit cycle confirms continued compliance.

Accreditation Categories – Full Details

Tier 2 — Institutional Accreditation

Accredits the organisation as a whole. CEQA reviews the institution’s:

  • Legal status, registration & ownership
  • Governance & management capability
  • Financial and operational stability
  • Quality assurance systems
  • Ethical marketing & transparency
  • Student protection and support
  • Administrative capability
  • Trainer vetting processes
  • Learning environment (online or physical)
  • Data protection & record-keeping

Outcome: Full institutional accreditation + listing on the CEQA Public Registry.

Tier 3 — Programme Accreditation

Accredits full programmes with substantial curriculum, generally 1–3 years. CEQA verifies:

  • Learning outcomes
  • Curriculum structure & sequencing
  • Assessment framework & moderation
  • Industry relevance
  • Minimum guided hours
  • Learner support
  • Trainer qualifications

Outcome: Programme-level accreditation certificate + unique verification reference.

Tier 4 — Short Course Accreditation

For structured courses between 6–12 months. CEQA reviews:

  • Purpose and intended outcomes
  • Structure and teaching plan
  • Assessment or activity evidence
  • Trainer qualifications
  • Learner support
  • Online platform functionality (if applicable)

Outcome: Short Course Accreditation Certificate + verification code.

Tier 5 — Skills, Workshops & Micro-Learning Accreditation

For short courses < 6 months. CEQA verifies:

  • Content structure
  • Instructor competence
  • Intended learning outcomes
  • Participant experience
  • Transparency of claims
  • Evidence of delivery

Outcome: Skills/CPD Accreditation Certificate + verification code.

Evidence Requirements Matrix

Requirement Area Tier 2 Tier 3 Tier 4 Tier 5
Legal Documents ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Governance & Org Structure ✔ — — —
Policies (ethics, refunds, complaints etc.) ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Programme Outline — ✔ ✔ ✔
Learning Outcomes — ✔ ✔ ✔
Guided Learning Hours — ✔ ✔ (Light)
Assessment Framework — ✔ ✔ Optional / Light
Trainer CVs & Qualifications ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
LMS/Platform Evidence If online If online If online If online
Learner Support ✔ ✔ ✔ —
Marketing Review ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

Branding & Transparency Requirements

CEQA ensures institutions do not:

  • Misrepresent qualifications
  • Use protected terms like “degree” or “university” in misleading ways
  • Promise employment, visas, government recognition, or migration benefits
  • Advertise false outcomes

Required Disclosures

Providers must display:

  • Terms & conditions
  • Refund / appeals policy
  • Accurate course information
  • Valid contact details

Understanding CEQA Accreditation Structure (Tiers 2–5)

CEQA’s accreditation framework is structured so that institutional accreditation always comes first, and programme accreditation is only granted after the institution itself has met CEQA’s minimum quality and legitimacy requirements.

1. Tier 2 Institutional Accreditation – The Foundation (Mandatory)

Tier 2 accreditation verifies that your institution is legitimate, quality-driven, compliant, and operating according to CEQA’s private-sector standards.

  • You cannot receive Tier 3–5 programme accreditation unless you first hold Tier 2.
  • Tier 2 confirms that the organisation itself is credible.
  • Tier 2 does not permit you to use the CEQA seal on any programmes or courses.

Tier 2 = Accreditation of the institution only
Tiers 3–5 = Accreditation of programmes, courses, short courses, skills training

2. Why Tier 2 Alone Is Not Enough

If you only have Tier 2:

  • You may state your institution is CEQA accredited.
  • You cannot issue CEQA-accredited certificates.
  • You cannot display the CEQA seal on courses or programmes.
  • You cannot list accredited programmes in the CEQA Registry.

CEQA must verify both the institution (Tier 2) and the actual programmes you deliver (Tiers 3–5). Without both levels, learners cannot be assured that your curriculum, outcomes, assessment, and delivery structures meet CEQA QA standards.

3. Tier 3–5 Programme Accreditation – How It Works

Once Tier 2 is awarded, you may apply for programme-level accreditation:

  • Tier 3: Full-length programmes (1–3 years)
  • Tier 4: Short courses (6–12 months)
  • Tier 5: Skills, CPD, workshops, micro-courses (< 6 months)

Programme accreditation evaluates:

  • Curriculum structure
  • Learning outcomes
  • Assessment policies
  • Academic integrity
  • Instructor competence
  • Learner support
  • Certification processes

Only after a programme passes Tier 3–5 review may you:

  • Issue CEQA-accredited certificates
  • Display the CEQA seal on that programme
  • Have the programme listed in the CEQA Registry
  • Advertise that the programme is CEQA-accredited

This is why Tier 2 + Tier 3–5 together = full accreditation.

Accreditation Agency Recognition Fees

This recognition pathway is exclusively for accreditation agencies, councils, and quality assurance bodies that operate as accrediting authorities within their respective fields. It does not apply to schools, universities, training providers, or institutions seeking CEQA accreditation.

Scope of Recognition

Recognition is granted per field of study in which the agency conducts accreditation activities.

Application Fee – $199 (Non-Refundable)

Covers initial screening, documentation verification, and risk assessment for eligibility. Recognition and listing fees become payable on approval.

Recognition & Listing Fees

  • $100 USD per field of study (e.g., Engineering = $100, Medical = $100)
  • If your agency accredits more than 10 fields: $75 USD per field
  • If you accredit more than 20 fields: $30 USD per field

This ensures CEQA can conduct full-scale verification across all domains the agency claims to oversee.

CEQA Accreditation Fees (Tiers 2–5)

All fees are in USD. Taxes may apply depending on jurisdiction.

Application Fee

Application Fee – $99 (Non-Refundable)

Covers initial screening, documentation verification, and risk assessment for eligibility.

Tier 2: Institutional Accreditation

  • Annual Accreditation Fee: $199 per year

See last section for multi campus accreditation.

Tiers 3–5: Programme Accreditation Fees

Programme-Level Accreditation (per programme per year):

  • Programmes (1–3 years): $70 per programme per year
  • Short courses (6–12 months): $40 per programme per year
  • Skills / CPD / Workshops (< 6 months): $20 per programme per year

OTC – Online-Only Course Accreditation Fees

For platforms delivering 100% online learning such as Udemy, Alison, Coursera-style academies, LMS-only schools and digital course creators.

Application Fee

Application Fee – $99 (Non-Refundable)

Covers initial screening, documentation verification, and risk assessment for eligibility.

Course Provider / Institution Accreditation

  • Annual Course Provider / Institution Accreditation Fee: $99 per year (across platforms – unlimited)

OTC Fee Structure (Per Course Per Year)

  • $10 USD – Short Course (8 hours or less)
  • $20 USD – Certificate Course
  • $25 USD – Advanced Certificate
  • $40 USD – Diploma (Online, 100% remote)
  • $60 USD – Degree Programme (Only if institution is authorised to award degrees)

OTC Accreditation is specifically designed for online-only providers where many traditional CEQA Institutional fields do not apply. This allows CEQA to offer a realistic, simplified, and affordable framework for digital course creators.

What OTC Accreditation Covers

  • Course legitimacy & transparency checks
  • Trainer/instructor identity verification
  • Curriculum & learning outcomes review
  • Platform/delivery quality review
  • Marketing & claims verification
  • Student protection and fairness standards

OTC Accreditation is optional and is only for fully online providers delivering non-NQF / private-sector programmes.

Programme Accreditation Explained Clearly (Tier 3)

Full Programmes (Not Individual Modules)

CEQA accredits full programmes, not individual modules inside a programme.

Example:

  • Psychology Year 1 → 12 Modules
  • Psychology Year 2 → 10 Modules
  • Psychology Year 3 → 15 Modules

All three years form one complete programme, accredited at:
$70 USD total for the full degree programme.

Short Courses, Workshops & Stand-Alone Modules

If any module is offered independently, it becomes a short course and is accredited separately.

Fees:

  • $20 USD – For any standalone workshop, single module, or micro-course (< 6 months) (e.g. “Abnormal Psychology Workshop”).
  • $40 USD – For structured short courses up to 6 months, derived from multiple modules (e.g. “Modern Psychology – 6 Month Certificate”).

CEQA Requirements for “One Institution – Multiple Campuses”

Even if campuses have separate local registrations (required by law), CEQA primarily evaluates the institutional structure, not the legal registration number. However, please note that each campus’s legal registration documents must still be submitted and verified (where applicable) as part of the accreditation process.

1. Unified Governance Structure

All campuses must fall under a single governing authority, for example:

  • One Board or Executive Council
  • One Principal / President overseeing all campuses
  • One Quality Assurance Director for the whole institution
  • One shared management chain

Even if legally registered separately in different countries or regions, all campuses must be governed from a single headquarters.

2. Shared Accreditation Identity

All campuses must:

  • Trade under one institutional name
  • Use the same branding and institutional identity
  • Issue certificates under the same accrediting body and mother institution, even where local laws require separate legal company registrations.

3. Shared Curriculum & Academic Standards

All campuses must use the same:

  • Curriculum and programmes
  • Learning outcomes
  • Assessments
  • Learner support systems
  • Policies and procedures
  • Quality assurance (QA) framework

This is one of the most important factors CEQA checks when determining whether an institution is truly unified.

4. Centralised Quality Assurance System

All quality assurance must be overseen by one integrated QA system, including:

  • One QA manual
  • One assessment policy
  • One moderation system
  • One certification policy
  • One internal audit process

Local campuses may have administrators or QA officers, but ultimate QA authority must remain central.

5. Centralised Academic Oversight

Examples of centralised academic control include:

  • One Academic Director
  • One Academic Board or Council
  • Shared teaching philosophy and delivery model across all campuses

6. Operational Integration

Although campuses may manage local operations (staffing, timetables, tax, finance), they must still operate within:

  • One HR policy
  • One Student Handbook
  • One institutional framework
  • One code of conduct
  • One grievance and complaints policy

7. No Independent Identity

A campus cannot be treated as separate if it:

  • Does not have its own independent brand
  • Does not run its own accreditation in a different name
  • Does not issue its own certificates under a different institution
  • Does not create its own curriculum distinct from the mother institution

Such a campus must operate purely as a branch of the main institution, not as an independent provider.

How CEQA Counts Campuses

If these conditions are met:

  • Separate legal registrations may still be used in different countries or regions.
  • CEQA counts them as one institution with a multi-campus structure.
  • Eligible for the $35–$25 USD per additional campus fee structure (instead of $199 USD).
  • No extra application fees per campus (one main institutional accreditation file).

If any of these conditions differ:

  • CEQA must treat each campus as a separate institution.
  • Each campus is subject to $199 USD per year institutional fee.
  • Each campus is subject to its own separate application fees and evaluation process.