Does the type of accreditation affect my ability to get an RN license?

Any graduate of a state Board of Nursing approved program can sit for the NCLEX-RN in that state. Board of Nursing approval is a separate process from CCNE or ACEN accreditation. However, most state Boards require the program to hold either CCNE or ACEN accreditation as a condition of continued state approval. In practice, if your program is CCNE or ACEN accredited AND state Board approved, you can take the NCLEX-RN. If it lacks accreditation, most states will not approve you to test.

What if my nursing program only has state Board approval and no CCNE or ACEN accreditation?

You can still take the NCLEX-RN in that state and become a licensed RN. However, three problems will follow. First, most graduate nursing programs (MSN, DNP) require your undergraduate degree to be from a CCNE or ACEN accredited program. Second, magnet-status hospitals typically require nurses to hold degrees from accredited programs. Third, if you ever want to practice in another state, non-compact endorsement often requires accredited-program graduation. Programs without CCNE or ACEN are workable short-term and problematic long-term.

How do I verify a nursing program is accredited?

Check three sources. First, the CCNE public search at ccneaccreditation.org. Second, the ACEN public search at acenursing.org. Third, your state Board of Nursing approved programs list. Do not rely on the school's own marketing page. Some for-profit schools advertise "regional accreditation" (institutional accreditation for the whole university) but lack CCNE or ACEN programmatic accreditation for their nursing program specifically. Only programmatic accreditation of the nursing program itself counts for RN licensure and career purposes.

What is candidacy vs full accreditation?

Candidacy status means a new program has been approved by the accreditor to work toward full accreditation but has not yet completed the full review process. Programs typically hold candidacy for two to five years while their first cohort graduates and outcomes data accumulates. Enrolling in a candidacy-status program is acceptable if the school has a strong parent institution and clear track record; the program will typically achieve full accreditation before your graduation. Enrolling in a brand-new program with no institutional history is riskier.

Are online nursing programs accredited?

Yes. Modality does not affect accreditation eligibility. Every online program compared on our online nursing programs page holds either CCNE or ACEN accreditation. Some employers historically had bias against online degrees; that bias has largely disappeared since 2020 as pandemic-era remote learning normalized. Today, a CCNE-accredited online BSN is treated equivalently to an in-person BSN by virtually every hospital system.

What is regional accreditation and does it matter?

Regional accreditation is the institutional accreditation for the entire university, granted by one of six regional accrediting bodies recognized by the Department of Education. Every university offering financial-aid-eligible degrees must hold regional accreditation. This is separate from and additional to programmatic accreditation (CCNE or ACEN for nursing). You want both. Regional accreditation ensures your degree from the university is legitimate. Programmatic accreditation ensures your specific nursing program is legitimate. Missing either is a problem.

What happens if a program loses accreditation while I am enrolled?

Rare but it happens. Students enrolled at the time of accreditation loss typically retain the ability to complete the program and take the NCLEX under the program's prior accreditation. Some schools transfer students to teach-out agreements with other accredited institutions. Losing accreditation mid-program is stressful but not usually catastrophic. To avoid the risk, check the program's accreditation history (any prior warnings, probation, or reviews) before enrolling. Both CCNE and ACEN publish this information.

The credential behind the credential

Nursing Accreditation, Explained

CCNE, ACEN, state Board approval, regional accreditation. Four different systems, four different reasons they matter. Verify all four before you enroll anywhere. This guide walks through what each one does and what to check.

CCNE

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Scope

Baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs at universities

The dominant accreditor for BSN, MSN, and DNP programs at four-year universities. Most magnet-status hospitals require CCNE for new hires. Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Independent nonprofit affiliated with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

ACEN

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

Scope

All levels: practical, associate, bachelor, graduate

Broader scope than CCNE. Accredits the majority of ADN programs at community colleges plus many BSN and MSN programs. Also accredits LPN and LVN diploma programs. Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Independent nonprofit.

State Board of Nursing Approval

State-level regulatory approval

Scope

Any program producing NCLEX-eligible graduates

Every nursing program must be approved by the state Board of Nursing in the state where it operates. This is a licensure requirement, not an accreditation. State Board approval is what allows graduates to take the NCLEX. Most Boards require CCNE or ACEN accreditation as a condition of continued state approval.

Regional Accreditation

Institutional accreditation of the entire university

Scope

The university as a whole, not the nursing program specifically

One of six regional accrediting bodies grants institutional accreditation to universities. Required for federal financial aid eligibility. Separate from nursing programmatic accreditation. You want both regional accreditation for the school and CCNE or ACEN for the nursing program.

Verify before enrolling

The three-step accreditation check

Confirm the school has regional accreditation.

This is university-wide institutional accreditation. Required for federal financial aid. Verify by searching the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions.

Confirm the nursing program has CCNE or ACEN accreditation.

This is programmatic accreditation specific to the nursing program. Verify at ccneaccreditation.org or acenursing.org public search. Do not rely on the school's own website; verify at the source.

Confirm state Board of Nursing approval in your intended practice state.

Every state Board of Nursing publishes a list of approved programs. You must graduate from a state-approved program to sit for the NCLEX in that state. Cross-check that the program is currently in good standing.

FAQ

Common questions about nursing accreditation

CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) accredits baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs at universities. ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) accredits all levels including practical nursing diplomas, associate degrees, bachelor degrees, and graduate degrees. Both are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a BSN or higher, either accreditation is fine. For an ADN, ACEN is more common because CCNE historically did not accredit associate programs (they now do through their subsidiary CNEA, but ACEN remains the dominant ADN accreditor).

Every program on this site is IPEDS-verified.

School data pulled from the federal Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, which only lists institutions with U.S. Department of Education recognized accreditation.

Find accredited programs Compare online options

Nursing Accreditation, Explained

CCNE

ACEN

State Board of Nursing Approval

Regional Accreditation

The three-step accreditation check

Confirm the school has regional accreditation.

Confirm the nursing program has CCNE or ACEN accreditation.

Confirm state Board of Nursing approval in your intended practice state.

Common questions about nursing accreditation

What is the difference between CCNE and ACEN accreditation?

Does the type of accreditation affect my ability to get an RN license?

What if my nursing program only has state Board approval and no CCNE or ACEN accreditation?

How do I verify a nursing program is accredited?

What is candidacy vs full accreditation?

Are online nursing programs accredited?

What is regional accreditation and does it matter?

What happens if a program loses accreditation while I am enrolled?

Every program on this site is IPEDS-verified.