The right to practice a profession or discipline is protected by the U.S. Constitution. The Constitution also states that a state may regulate a profession or occupation that affects general welfare. Nursing is a profession that makes an impact on general welfare and is, therefore, subject to regulation by the state. Language in state nurse practice acts and rules and regulations, however, has not been consistent in differentiating between mandated, legal processes and voluntary, quality-assurance processes, as related to the regulation of nursing education programs.
Some boards use the term accreditation , and a few boards use both terms interchangeably.
The purpose of this position paper is to differentiate between the terms approval and accreditation as they describe a state regulatory body's role and responsibility in nursing education programs. Implied in approval is permission to carry out an act, in this case, the operation of a nursing education program. Approval also requires compliance with essential educational standards to protect both the students who are enrolled in the program and the public who will receive nursing care from the graduates of the program. Participation by regulatory bodies in the approval process is congruent with their legal responsibility. Whereas approval is a mandatory process related to permission for an education program to begin and continue operating by meeting essential educational standards, accreditation is generally considered a voluntary process that focuses on program excellence.