Understanding Accreditation
Accreditation is a formal recognition that a residency or fellowship program meets established educational and clinical training standards.
What Is Accreditation?
Accreditation is a formal recognition that an institution or program meets established educational and clinical training standards. It applies to programs and institutions—not to individual physicians. The ACGME evaluates whether training programs provide the curriculum, supervision, and learning environment necessary for physicians to
complete their education successfully.
Three Systems, Three Different Purposes
Issued By
ACGME · LCME · COCAApplies To
Training programs and institutionsWhat It Means
Verifies educational quality and training standardsIssued Through
Independent accreditation reviewRequired?
Required for accredited residency programsDuration
Continuous with periodic reviewsExample
An internal medicine residency is ACGME accredited.
Accreditation Applies to Programs, Not Physicians
Accreditation is a formal recognition that an institution or program meets established educational and clinical training standards. It applies to programs and institutions—not to individual physicians. The ACGME evaluates whether training programs provide the curriculum, supervision, and learning environment necessary for physicians to complete their education successfully.
Why Accreditation Exists
Accreditation creates a consistent national framework for physician training. That consistency helps ensure that residents and fellows receive high-quality education regardless of where they train, while supporting patient safety, supervision, and continuous improvement across programs wherever they practice medicine.
Why Accreditation Matters
Consistent training standards help support patients, communities, physicians, and the health care system as a whole.
For Patients
Consistent educational standards help support quality care.
For Communities
National standards support consistency across both training and practice environments.
For Policymakers
Accreditation is one piece of a broader quality assurance system.
How Accreditation Works
What the ACGME Does and Doesn't Do
Common Misconceptions
The ACGME runs the Match
Reality: The NRMP runs the Match. The ACGME accredits training programs.
The ACGME licenses doctors
Reality: State medical boards issue physician licenses.
The ACGME sets resident/fellow pay and controls working conditions
Reality: Hospitals and other Sponsoring Institutions determine compensation.
Quick Reference Guides
Who Does What
The seven entities that govern physician education and training — and where accountability actually sits.
GME Briefing Sheet
Everything a policymaker, journalist, or community member needs to know.
Media Backgrounder
For journalists, editors, and communications professionals covering GME and physician training.
State vs. Federal Roles
A jurisdiction guide for policymakers, advocates, and media.
