Protects learners
Your time, effort, and investment are protected through rigorous standards for quality, instruction, and outcomes.
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Canadian not-for-profit accreditation council
Quality assurance for the future of learning
CEQAC delivers independent, peer-reviewed accreditation that protects learners, elevates organizations, and empowers competency-based education providers to scale with trust.
Independent & peer-reviewedFinal decisions by a multidisciplinary Council
- 3
- clear phases
- 5
- core standards
- 2–3
- months, start to decision
Outcomes over inputsStandards grounded in competency-based learning
Ready for accreditation that supports growth?
Built for modern learning organizations
Traditional accreditation was designed for universities and seat-time degrees. CEQAC was built for modern learning organizations: those delivering skills, competencies, and real-world outcomes.
- Competency-based focus. We evaluate what learners can do, not just seat time.
- Peer-reviewed standards. Assessment by qualified experts, not bureaucratic compliance.
- Transparent & accessible. Clear criteria, fair fees, and support throughout the process.
- Strategic, not just regulatory. Accreditation as a tool for improvement, not a checkbox.
From readiness to recognition
Your path to CEQAC accreditation
Three phases, each building on the last, so you invest time and resources only when you are ready.
- 01
Phase 1
Eligibility
Confirm fit & scope
Confirm you meet minimum requirements for legal standing and program scope, so your organization is aligned with CEQAC’s scope before you invest time and resources.
About 2 minutes
Check eligibility - 02
Phase 2
Readiness
Build evidence, close gaps
Complete a self-assessment against CEQAC standards and strengthen systems, documentation, and outcomes before formal review.
2–4 weeks
See the standards - 03
Phase 3
Full review
Peer review & decision
Comprehensive peer evaluation, including documentation review and interviews with your team, for independent validation of quality and accountability.
5–8 weeks
What is reviewed
System-level impact
Quality standards create trust across the education-to-workforce system
Empowers education providers
Your organization stands apart: accredited, credible, and built for scale, demonstrating leadership in a crowded marketplace.
Benefits of accreditationAssures workforce-ready skills
Workforce decisions are de-risked as programs are vetted for quality, relevance, and alignment with real workforce needs.
What accreditation meansElevates skills-based education
Public objectives are advanced with confidence: quality, learner protection, and skills development aligned with economic priorities.
Our standards- 3
- phases from eligibility to decision
- 5
- core standards reviewed by peers
- 50+
- instructional hours per program, minimum
- 2–3
- months for most providers
White-label LMSIncluded with membership
CEQAC membership is a strategic advantage
Supporting your growth, from vision to impact
Members gain access to expert guidance in content creation, curriculum and assessment design, quality frameworks, and practical delivery tools, even access to a white-label LMS.
We work alongside you to strengthen quality, accelerate readiness, and turn ambition into credible, scalable impact.
What providers say
Rigorous, not bureaucratic
A much-needed accreditation model for non-traditional and innovative programs. CEQAC meets providers where they are, without lowering the bar.
CEQAC makes accreditation feel achievable, not intimidating. It’s rigorous, but not bureaucratic.
You don’t just get accredited, you gain trusted advisors. The ongoing value of CEQAC membership goes well beyond accreditation.
Research interest
Quality, skills, and trust in workforce-oriented education
CEQAC focuses its research on a central question: how quality should be defined, evaluated, and sustained in modern education systems that support adult skills development, workforce participation, and economic inclusion.
We welcome collaboration with university-based research centres, applied research institutes, policymakers, workforce development organizations, and community-serving partners engaged in skills development, newcomer integration, and inclusive economic participation.
Insights
Guidance & perspectives
Why competency-based providers need a different kind of accreditation
Micro-credentials, boot camps, and workforce programs are reshaping how adults build skills. Quality assurance needs to keep pace.
Read article
What peer reviewers look for in a full accreditation review
Documentation, interviews, and a Council decision: a look inside Phase 3 of the CEQAC process.
Read article
Preparing for your readiness self-assessment: a practical guide
The readiness self-assessment is more than a hurdle. Here is how to use it to strengthen your organization before peer review.
Read article
Ready to begin?
Demonstrate your commitment to learner success
If you’re committed to learner success, organizational excellence, and continuous improvement, CEQAC accreditation can help you show that commitment to the world.
