ACENursing
ACENursing (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) is a nonprofit, ED- and CHEA-recognized accrediting agency that provides peer-review accreditation for all levels of nursing education programs across the U.S., its territories, and internationally, serving nursing programs, educators, and students.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersAtlanta, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What ACENursing does
ACENursing operates as the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), a nonprofit, non-governmental organization that provides peer-review accreditation for nursing education programs across all levels — practical, diploma, associate, baccalaureate, master's, and clinical doctorate. It is the only accrediting body recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education (recognition renewed in 2023) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (recognition renewed in 2021 for seven years), and it operates throughout the United States, its territories, and internationally with programs in Colombia, Jordan, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. ACEN is a wholly owned subsidiary of the National League for Nursing (NLN), under which it was established in 1997 as the NLNAC to comply with federal requirements separating accrediting functions from trade organizations; it was renamed ACEN in 2013 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
The core product is the accreditation service itself, which includes eligibility application, self-study, peer evaluation site visits, and Board of Commissioners review. ACEN generates revenue through subscription-style accreditation fees (evaluation fees, candidacy fees, annual report fees, and continuing accreditation fees) charged to nursing programs on an annual cadence. Beyond core accreditation, ACEN extends its product surface with ACEN Academy (an on-demand e-learning platform for accreditation readiness), ACEN Everywhere (continuing nursing education eCourses), the Program of Distinction (a recognition tier for high-performing programs), a portfolio of in-person workshops (Standards in Action, LEAP, Regional), an Advisory Review support service, the Search Programs directory, the Bridges quarterly newsletter, and a peer evaluator volunteer community. The organization is governed by a 17-member Board of Commissioners elected by accredited programs.
ACENursing firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ACENursing
- Legal name
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc.
- Website
- https://acenursing.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- ACENursing (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) is a nonprofit, ED- and CHEA-recognized accrediting agency that provides peer-review accreditation for all levels of nursing education programs across the U.S., its territories, and internationally, serving nursing programs, educators, and students.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ACENursing industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nursing Education Accreditation
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- National/Institutional Accreditors (Career, Faith-Based, Distance, etc.) (EDADACAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Accreditation Standards, Benchmarking & Framework Organizations (EDADACAJ), Institutional & Programmatic Accreditation Audits (EDADAGAA)
Keywords
Where ACENursing is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Atlanta
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
ACENursing business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Accreditation Fees: ACEN generates revenue through accreditation fees charged to nursing education programs seeking initial or continuing accreditation. Programs pay evaluation fees, annual reports, and other accreditation-related fees per the published Schedule of Fees. Participation in the accreditation process is voluntary for nursing programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Accreditation fees for nursing programs |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels9 records
ACENursing product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ACEN provides specialized, peer-review accreditation for nursing education programs at all levels (practical, diploma, associate, baccalaureate, master's including post-master's certificate, and clinical doctorate including DNP specialist certificate). The organization also delivers accreditation support resources including ACEN Academy e-learning, Standards in Action, LEAP, and Regional Workshops, an Advisory Review service, Program of Distinction recognition, and the Search Programs public directory. ACEN is the only U.S. Department of Education and CHEA-recognized accrediting agency covering all nursing program types.
Product overview
ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) operates as a nonprofit, non-governmental organization providing specialized accreditation for all levels of nursing education programs. The organization offers a unified portfolio of accreditation services centered on the ACEN Accreditation Services as its core product, supplemented by educational platforms (ACEN Academy for e-learning, ACEN Everywhere for continuing education), recognition programs (Program of Distinction), and professional development offerings (Standards in Action Workshop, LEAP Workshops, Regional Workshops). The portfolio includes peer evaluation services, the Search Programs directory, advisory review support, the Bridges Newsletter, and the ACEN Resource Center. ACEN is the only U.S. Department of Education (ED) and Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)-recognized accrediting agency that accredits all types of nursing programs including practical, diploma, associate, baccalaureate, master's, and clinical doctorate programs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ACEN Academy: ACEN's centralized e-learning platform designed to promote accreditation readiness, professional practice, and continuous improvement for nursing education programs.
- ACEN Program of Distinction
- ACEN Bridges
Products and services
- ACEN Accreditation Services Specialized, peer-review accreditation for nursing education programs at all levels (practical, diploma, associate, baccalaureate, master's including post-master's certificate, and clinical doctorate including DNP specialist certificate). Accreditation enables graduates to access federal financial aid, qualify for NCLEX licensing exams, and gain employer recognition.
- ACEN Academy
Quantifiable outcome
- Graduates of ACEN-accredited programs gain access to federal financial aid, qualify for NCLEX licensing exams, and receive employer recognition
Companies that use ACENursing
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
ACENursing technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
ACENursing partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN)coreACEN and OADN signed a memorandum of understanding in 2018 to work together in areas of common interest related to associate degree nursing education and accreditation.
- U.S. Department of Education (ED)coreThe U.S. Department of Education recognizes ACEN as an accrediting body, enabling students in ACEN-accredited programs to access federal financial aid. ED recognition requires ACEN to meet specific standards established by Congress and is periodically renewed (most recently in 2023).
- Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)coreCHEA recognizes ACEN as a nationally recognized accrediting agency for nursing education. CHEA recognition was renewed for seven years in 2021. CHEA is a U.S. association of degree-granting colleges and universities.
- International Journal of Nursing EducationminorACEN leaders Drs. Nell Ard and Keri Nunn-Ellison published an article 'Global Quality Assurance in Nursing Education: ACEN Standards and International Accreditation' in the International Journal of Nursing Education, exploring the role of accreditation in promoting educational quality and global recognition.
- National League for Nursing (NLN)coreACEN is recognized as an independent, wholly owned subsidiary corporation of the National League for Nursing (NLN). ACEN was established in 1997 as the NLNAC to comply with U.S. Department of Education regulations requiring accrediting activities to be separate from trade organizations. The NLN is a founding predecessor organization dating back to 1893.
- State Boards of NursingcoreACEN works with state boards of nursing across the U.S. States and territories. The monitoring of certificate, diploma, and degree offerings is tied closely to state examination and licensing rules and to the oversight of preparation for work in the nursing profession. Many states mandate that nursing programs be accredited by an ED-recognized agency.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
ACENursing competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC): A large regional accreditor that accredits many institutions that host nursing programs. While not a nursing-specific accreditor, HLC's institutional accreditation decisions overlap with ACEN's specialized accreditation at the program level.
- Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC): A national accreditor for career-oriented and vocational institutions, including many practical nursing and associate degree programs. ACCSC accredits the institutions while ACEN accredits the nursing programs within them, creating partially overlapping coverage.
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE): A regional accreditor serving institutions across the Mid-Atlantic. MSCHE institutions — many of which host ACEN-accredited nursing programs — make this an institutional peer to ACEN at the program-level accreditation interface.
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC): The regional accreditor for institutions across the U.S. South. SACSCOC's institutional accreditation frequently interacts with ACEN's specialized nursing accreditation for the same institutions, particularly across the Southeast where ACEN is headquartered.
- New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE): A regional accreditor for New England institutions, several of which host ACEN-accredited nursing programs. NECHE is comparable to ACEN as a specialized/regional accreditor managing institution-level quality.
Direct peers
- National League for Nursing (NLN): ACEN's parent organization and original lineage. NLN is the premier nursing education membership organization that promotes excellence in nursing education, making it the closest institutional peer and strategic anchor for ACEN.
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE): The other major U.S. nursing education accreditor, operating under the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. CCNE accredits baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs, directly competing with ACEN for the same university programs at the upper-degree levels.
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN): The national voice for baccalaureate and higher-degree nursing education programs. AACN oversees CCNE and is deeply embedded in nursing education policy, making it a direct institutional peer and ecosystem partner to ACEN.
Regional players
- WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC): A regional accreditor for institutions in the western U.S. While not a nursing-specialized accreditor, WSCUC's institutions frequently hold ACEN accreditation for their nursing programs, creating a peer relationship at the institutional/program level.
Emerging players
- International Council of Nurses (ICN): The global federation of national nursing associations, which influences nursing education and accreditation standards internationally. ICN is a peer in the international nursing-quality space where ACEN is actively expanding its cross-border accreditation footprint.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ACENursing social profiles
Digital presenceACENursing financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ACENursing leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
ACENursing funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ACENursing M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ACENursing
What does ACENursing do?
ACEN provides specialized, peer-review accreditation for nursing education programs at all levels (practical, diploma, associate, baccalaureate, master's including post-master's certificate, and clinical doctorate including DNP specialist certificate). The organization also delivers accreditation support resources including ACEN Academy e-learning, Standards in Action, LEAP, and Regional Workshops, an Advisory Review service, Program of Distinction recognition, and the Search Programs public directory. ACEN is the only U.S. Department of Education and CHEA-recognized accrediting agency covering all nursing program types.
Is ACENursing a public or private company?
ACENursing is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was ACENursing founded?
ACENursing was founded in 1997.
Where is ACENursing based?
ACENursing is headquartered in Atlanta, United States, in the North America region.
How does ACENursing make money?
One revenue line is on record: accreditation Fees.
Who are ACENursing's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Direct peers are National League for Nursing (NLN), Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) is listed as a regional player. International Council of Nurses (ICN) is listed as an emerging player.
Does ACENursing have an API?
No public API is recorded for ACENursing.
What industry is ACENursing in?
ACENursing's product category is Nursing Education Accreditation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDADACAB, National/Institutional Accreditors (Career, Faith-Based, Distance, etc.), with a secondary code of EDADACAJ, Accreditation Standards, Benchmarking & Framework Organizations. Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8200.