Overview
Two layers, like nursing
Educator preparation has two recognized national accreditors — CAEP and AAQEP — and a separate, decisive layer: state approval of the program. The two do different jobs, and confusing them is the classic mistake.
The key distinction: teacher certification/licensure runs through your state’s program approval (via the state education agency or teacher-standards board), not through national accreditation. CAEP or AAQEP accreditation is a voluntary quality mark on top of that. Some states require or reference national accreditation; many run their own approval. You generally want both.
The Bodies
CAEP and AAQEP
- CAEP — Council for the Accreditation of Educator PreparationFounded in 2013 from the merger of NCATE and TEAC; the larger, long-established educator-prep accreditor. It reviews individual program areas through Specialized Professional Associations (SPAs) — for example NASP for school psychology, NCTM for math, ASCA for school counseling. CHEA-recognized.
- AAQEP — Association for Advancing Quality in Educator PreparationFounded in 2017 as an alternative model, emphasizing context and outcomes; it has grown quickly. CHEA-recognized.
Neither is a federal Title IV gatekeeper — federal aid follows the college’s institutional accreditation — so both are CHEA-recognized rather than USDE-recognized.
Don’t Confuse Them
State program approval is the licensure gate
Every state runs its own educator-preparation program approval through its department of education or a teacher standards commission. Completing a state-approved program is what makes you eligible for that state’s teaching license (usually after a certification exam such as the Praxis or a state test). A program can be nationally accredited and still need state approval in each state where it prepares teachers — and vice versa.
Why It Matters
What national accreditation adds
- Cross-state mobilityAccreditation supports reciprocity when you move and seek licensure in another state.
- Graduate study & advancementAdvanced education degrees and roles often expect an accredited preparation program.
- Employer confidenceDistricts recognize graduates of accredited, state-approved programs.
- Quality assuranceAccreditation reviews clinical practice, outcomes, and program quality beyond the state minimum.
Do It Yourself
Verify an education program
Go Deeper
Official sources
Questions
Frequently asked questions
- Who accredits teacher-preparation programs? Two recognized national accreditors: CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, formed from NCATE and TEAC in 2013) and AAQEP (founded 2017). Both are CHEA-recognized.
- Do I need an accredited program to become a licensed teacher? Not exactly. Teacher licensure runs through your state's approval of the program, not national accreditation. Some states require or reference CAEP/AAQEP; many run their own approval. You generally want both.
- What is the difference between CAEP and AAQEP? CAEP is the larger, long-established accreditor (from the NCATE/TEAC merger) and reviews program areas via Specialized Professional Associations; AAQEP is a newer, context-and-outcomes-focused alternative. Both are CHEA-recognized.
- Is state program approval the same as accreditation? No. State approval is the licensure gate, run by the state education agency or teacher-standards board. National accreditation is a separate, voluntary quality mark.
- Why does national accreditation matter if the state licenses me? It supports cross-state reciprocity when you move, is valued by districts and graduate programs, and reviews quality beyond the state minimum.
- Are CAEP and AAQEP recognized by the U.S. Department of Education? They are CHEA-recognized. Educator-prep accreditors are generally not federal Title IV gatekeepers, because aid follows the institution's accreditation.
- How do I verify an education program? Check CAEP or AAQEP accreditation status and, separately, confirm the program's approval with the state education agency where you intend to be licensed.
- What exam do teachers take? Most states require a certification exam such as the Praxis series or a state-specific test, in addition to completing a state-approved program.