These standards ensure high quality and standardized medical training. Withdrawal of program accreditation is rare, but when it does happen, it can be very difficult for the residents involved. When applying to a residency program ask the program director about accreditation status. Make sure you inquire about the program's accreditation cycle, when the last review was held, how long the program has been accredited for and when the next review will take place. Ask if there have been any adverse actions against the program in the past or if any are currently pending.
Provisional accreditation implies that a program is in a developmental stage.
The total period of provisional accreditation should not exceed five years for programs of four years duration or less, or the length of the program plus one year for programs of five years duration or longer. With the exception of special cases as determined by a review committee, if full accreditation is not granted within either of these time frames, accreditation of the program should be withdrawn. Probationary Accreditation A review committee may grant probationary accreditation in the case of programs holding full accreditation, which upon review are no longer considered to be in substantial compliance with the Essentials. A program should not hold probationary accreditation for more than four consecutive years until it is returned to full accreditation or the committee acts to withdraw accreditation. This period may be extended for procedural reasons.