ACCREDITATION CRITERIA FOR TRAINING PROVIDERS AND TRAINING
COURSE DEVELOPERS
AC371

December 2020
Effective February 1, 2021

PREFACEThe attached accreditation criteria have been issued to provide all interested parties withguidelines on implementing performance features of the applicable standards referenced herein.
The criteria were developed and adopted following public hearings conducted by theInternational Accreditation Service, Inc. (IAS), Accreditation Committee and are effective on thedate shown above. All accreditations issued or reissued on or after the effective date mustcomply with these criteria. If the criteria are an updated version from a previous edition, solidvertical lines (|) in the outer margin within the criteria indicate a technical change or addition
from the previous edition. Deletion indicators (→) are provided in the outer margins where aparagraph or item has been deleted if the deletion resulted from a technical change. These
criteria may be further revised as the need dictates.
IAS may consider alternate criteria provided the proponent submits substantiating data
demonstrating that the alternate criteria are at least equivalent to the attached criteria andotherwise meet applicable accreditation requirements.
Copyright © 2020

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ACCREDITATION CRITERIA FOR TRAINING PROVIDERS AND TRAINING COURSE DEVELOPERS

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Scope: These criteria set forth the requirements for obtaining and maintaining International
Accreditation Service, Inc. (IAS), accreditation of Training Providers and Training CourseDevelopers. These criteria supplement the IAS Rules of Procedure for Accreditation of Training
Providers and Training Course Developers.
Those criteria permit the accreditation options as shown below:a) Training Providers with integrated Training Course Development;b) Training Course Providers without integrated Training Course Development; or,c) Training Course Development for training curriculum only.
These criteria are applicable to training courses developed and/or provided by private or publicorganizations, institutions, unions, government agencies, employers, independent
training institutions and organizations of all levels, community colleges, universities, professional
and trade associations.
These criteria are not applicable in the case of certification of persons, where ISO/IEC 17024 isrecommended. Still these criteria can be applied for curriculum development and provision oftraining utilized as a part of a personnel certification process.
IAS accreditation does not make any representation, nor should it be construed as making
representation regarding attributes not specifically addressed by the accreditation. Accreditation
also does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by IAS for use of a particulartraining provider and/or training course developer.
1.2 Normative and Reference Documents: Publications listed below refer to current editions.
1.2.1 ISO Standard 9000: Quality management systems – Fundamentals andvocabulary.
1.2.2 ISO Standard 9001: Quality management systems – Requirements.
1.2.3

ASTM E2659: Standard Practice for Certificate Programs.

1.2.4 IPC SC-11-002, Specification on IPC Recognition of Training Courses andTraining Providers
1.2.5 APA/AERA/NCME Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing.

2. DEFINITIONSApplicable definitions found in ISO 9000, ASTM E2659 and IPC SC-11-002 apply.

3. ELIGIBILITY
Accreditation services are available to training providers and training course developers that meet allof the following requirements:
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3.1. Training Provider has administered to at least one (1) class of students, with certificates issued
for students who successfully completed the class;3.2. Training course developer has developed and proofread at least one course;
3.3. Completion of at least one (1) internal audit, and one (1) management review.

4. REQUIRED BASIC INFORMATION
Training Providers and Training Course Developers must demonstrate compliance with each of thefollowing requirements:

4.1. IAS AC371 and relevant requirements of ASTM E2659 or IPC SC-11-002;
4.2. IAS Rules of Procedure for Training Providers and Training Course Developers.

5. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (AS APPLICABLE)
Training Providers and Training Course Developers shall maintain documents and records
demonstrating compliance with each of the following requirements, and shall make these available toIAS at scheduled assessments:

5.1. Administration
5.1.1.

Corporate: The training provider and the training course developer shall be a legal
entity. Records shall include an organizational chart, vision or mission statement,
quality policy and objectives, and descriptive information on the corporate structure.

5.1.2.

Facilities: The training provider and training course developer shall have adequate
facilities to fully support the activities being accredited. Records shall include a
description of the physical plant and infrastructure.

5.1.3.

Financial: The training provider and training course developer shall have the financial
resources necessary to administer training programs in accordance with therequirements of these criteria, and to cover associated liabilities and commitments.

5.1.4.

Staffing: The training provider and training course developer shall have sufficientqualified personnel to administer training programs in accordance with therequirements of these criteria.

5.1.5.

Quality Management: The training provider and training course developer shallidentify person(s) responsible for maintenance of the quality management system withaccess to top management and appropriate authority to implement and maintain therequirements of these criteria

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5.1.6.

Job Descriptions: The training provider and training course developer shall have job
descriptions which include minimum qualifications, education and experience required
for the relevant functions.

5.1.7.

Outsourced Services: The training provider and training course developer shall haveagreements for all outsourced services. Either parties shall take full responsibility for all
outsourced services and shall assess and monitor the compliance of these services forcompliance to requirements of these criteria on a regular basis or when there has beena modification to the original service agreements.

5.1.8.

Public Information: Public information about the program shall be available without
request, which shall include the target audience; program or course descriptions thatinclude program or course goals and objectives or learning outcomes; requirements forsuccessful completion of programs or course(s); requirements for student
registration/qualification; and requirements for renewal of certificates (if required).

5.1.9.

Confidentiality and Security: The training provider and training course developer
shall have a policy on confidentiality and security of student records and shall maintainevidence of compliance by staff and vendors. The training provider and training course
developer shall have a policy for protection of trademarks and copyrights (if applicable)
when obtaining raw training material for developing courses and/or training.

5.1.10. Management System: The training provider and training course developer shall havea management system which meets relevant requirements of the latest version of ISO
9001 or equivalent. Records shall include the following:
5.1.10.1.

Internal Audits: Internal audits shall be conducted at least annually. Records

shall include an audit checklist and report of any findings of nonconformity.
5.1.10.2.

Management Reviews: Management reviews shall be conducted at least

annually. Records shall include an agenda of the management review meeting andminutes of the meeting, including a summary of action items as a result of themanagement review.
5.1.10.3.

Human Resources: The training provider and training course developer shallhave a policy and procedure for recruiting, hiring, training, mentoring and monitoring
the performance of personnel. Records shall include records on training, qualificationand monitoring of the performance of personnel and instructors.
5.1.10.4.

Complaints: The training provider and training course developer shall have apolicy and procedure for investigation and resolution of complaints. Records shall
include all complaints received by the training provider and training course developer,
their investigation and resolution.
5.1.10.5.

Appeals: The training provider and training course developer shall have a policy

and procedure for appeals from participants/students who do not successfully
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complete the training. Records shall include appeals received, their investigation andresolution.
5.1.10.6.

Service to the Customer: The training provider and training course developer

shall have a policy and procedure for monitoring the satisfaction of its customers andother impacted parties. The training provider and training course developer shall seek
feedback, both positive and negative. The feedback shall be used and analyzed toimprove the management system, training activities and customer service. Records
shall include a summary of survey responses, and the training provider and training
course developer’s conclusions based on evaluation of these data.
5.1.10.7.

Process Monitoring: The training provider and training course developer shallhave a policy and procedure for monitoring the processes related to service quality.
5.1.10.8.

Document Control: The training provider and training course developer shallhave a policy and procedure for control of documents. Records shall include a list ofcontrolled documents, evidence of review and approvals, issue and distribution
controls.
5.1.10.9.

Control of Records: The training provider and training course developer shallhave a policy and procedure for control of records.
5.1.10.10. Corrective Actions: The training provider and training course developer shallhave a policy and procedure for corrective actions, which shall include identificationof root causes.
5.1.11. Documents and Records Retention Period: Documents and records shall beavailable for the previous four (4) years.

5.2. Technical5.2.1.

Technical and Administrative Oversight: The training provider and training course
developer shall appoint an oversight technical representative or a committee of experts.
This person or committee shall have responsibility for review and monitoring of thequality of services. This review shall be conducted at least annually or when thetraining structure or curriculum is modified.

5.2.2.

Program Design: The design of the course curricula shall include the following:
instructional group size, student prerequisites, instructional format, instructionalstrategies, training environment, media selection and lesson planning. The design ofcourse curricula can be based on job analysis research or other requirements(customer, regulatory, etc.), needs and risks analysis and instructional objectives.
Course curricula which meet design requirements of Section 6.2.5 of ASTM E2659
shall be deemed acceptable in meeting technical requirements of these criteria.

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5.2.3.

Needs and Risk Analysis: The training provider and training course developer shallconduct appropriate needs and risk analysis for each of its training services, which mayreference appropriate market and job analysis research, including consideration of risks
related to safety implications for all involved parties. This analysis shall be reviewed
and updated on a regular basis.

5.2.4.

Program Planning: The training provider and training course developer shalldetermine and document training schedules, participant qualifications and logistics, andcriteria for selection of instructors/facilitators. Planning shall identify minimum
prerequisites for students, requirements for successful completion of training, andrequirements for renewal of certificates (if applicable).

5.2.5.

Program Implementation: The training provider and training course developer shallprovide its customers with recommendations for marketing, instructor training,formative student evaluations, revisions for individual student needs and administrationof training using the course curricula.

5.2.6.

Product Development: Development of course curricula shall consider the following:
written media, audio-visual media, use of application examples/non-examples andevaluation of student learning.

5.2.7.

Applications: The training provider and training course developer shall have a policy
and procedure which ensures that applications are processed objectivity andimpartiality, including evaluation of participant/student eligibility for training.

5.2.8.

Instructor Qualifications: The training provider and training course developer shallhave a policy and procedure for training and qualification of instructors, and forassuring that instructors maintain their competencies through participation inappropriate professional development activities. Where applicable, instructor
qualifications shall comply with recognized national standards for specific sectors.

5.2.9.

Delivery of Training: The training provider and training course developer shall have apolicy and procedure for delivery of training, including: pre-training formative student
evaluations, revisions for individual student needs, expectations for student
engagement in training, classroom management, control of the learning environment,
program logistics and administration of hands-on (practical) training (if applicable).

5.2.10. Assessment of Student Learning: Assessment processes shall include student
assessments at appropriate intervals, including formative (during training) and/orsummative (at the conclusion of training). The assessments shall be based on course
learning objectives and shall assess acceptable competency. Assessments that
demonstrate compliance to relevant requirements of APA/AERA/NCME Standards will
satisfy student assessment requirements of these criteria.

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5.2.11. Surveillance: The course developer and provider shall maintain a registry ofauthorized users/subcontractors of course curricula and training, and for monitoring theapplication of course curricula and training by these users/subcontractors.
5.2.12. Changes, and Updates: The training provider or training course developer shallpromptly notify authorized users of applicable course curriculum and training changes,and updates.
5.2.13. Security: The training provider and training course developer shall have a policy andprocedure to control access to office and records to authorized persons, adherence toits security policy, for protection of the provider’s or course developer’s trademark andcopyright protection of the product.
5.2.14. Benchmarking: Whenever applicable the training provider and training course
developer shall monitor related research and industry “best practices” relevant tocourse curriculum and training development. Records shall be maintained, with asummary of any identified areas of weakness.
5.2.15. Library Management: The training provider and training course developer shallmaintain a reference library related to development, management and administration ofits services, and shall ensure that this library is accessible to appropriate relevantparties
5.2.16. Course Evaluations: The training provider and training course developer shall have apolicy and procedure for evaluation of participant/student satisfaction and to evaluate
the overall effectiveness of the training in achieving course goals. Evaluations shallconsider feedback from students, instructors, and other relevant parties (e.g.,employers of students). Where relevant, the provider shall share these feedbacks withthe training course developer.
5.2.17. Award of Certificates: The training provider and training course developer shall havea policy and procedure for award of certificates to students who successfully complete
training. If certificates include an expiration date, the provider shall define in its public
information all requirements for renewal. The provider shall not publicize or otherwise
infer that any students are “certified.”

6. LINKS TO ADDITIONAL REFERENCES
6.1. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) – www.astm.org
6.2. International Accreditation Service (IAS) - www.iasonline.org
6.3. International Organization for Standardization (ISO) – www.iso.org
6.4. American Psychological Association (APA) – www.apa.org
6.5. American Educational Research Association (AERA) – www.aera.net
6.6. National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME) – www.ncme.net
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6.7. International Personnel Certification Association (IPC) – www.ipcaweb.org
These criteria were previously issued May 2007, April 2008, September 2008, October 2009, August 2012, July 2013, June 2016,April 2017 and Editorially revised January 22, 2019

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