Training Provider Accreditation Requirements: What You Need to Prepare Before You Apply

You have decided to pursue training provider accreditation. Smart move. But before you fill out the application, you need to know exactly what documentation and operational practices AAA will scrutinize.

This is your pre-application checklist—a detailed rundown of every training provider accreditation requirement you must meet. Complete these items before you submit, and your path to accreditation will be dramatically smoother (and faster).

The Four Pillars of Accreditation Requirements

AAA’s Training & Education Providers Accreditation (TEPA) program evaluates training centers across four domains. Think of these as the legs of a table—weakness in any one leg makes accreditation impossible.

Pillar	What It Covers	Weight in Review
1. Program Design	Learning objectives, curriculum structure, prerequisites	30%
2. Assessment	Testing methods, passing standards, security	25%
3. Instruction	Instructor qualifications, assignments, development	20%
4. Quality Management	Records, complaints, continuous improvement	25%

Pillar 1: Program Design Requirements

For each certificate program you seek to accredit, you must provide:

Learning Objectives (LOs)

At least 3–5 LOs per course (more for longer programs)

Each LO must be measurable (use verbs like: create, analyze, evaluate, demonstrate, apply)

LOs must map to real-world job tasks or competencies

 

Example of acceptable LO: *”Design a phishing simulation exercise for a 200-employee organization, including metrics for success.”*

Prerequisites

Clearly stated requirements for enrollment (e.g., “2 years of IT experience” or “Completion of Course 101”)

If no prerequisites, state “Open enrollment—no prior knowledge required”

Program Length

Total instructional hours (excluding breaks, assignments, assessments)

 

For self-paced online: seat time or estimated completion time

 

Learning Resources

List of textbooks, articles, software, or other materials provided or required

Evidence that resources are current (typically within last 3–5 years)

 

Pillar 2: Assessment Requirements

This is where most first-time applicants struggle. AAA requires rigorous, valid assessments—not just completion certificates.

Assessment Methods
You must use at least one of the following for each learning objective:

Selected response (multiple choice, true/false) — acceptable for knowledge recall only

Constructed response (short answer, essay) — stronger

Performance-based (simulation, project, observed task) — strongest

Pro tip: For any certificate that leads to a job or promotion, include at least one performance-based assessment. A multiple-choice-only assessment will receive a non-conformity.

 

Passing Standard

Specify the score required to pass (e.g., 75%, 80%, “Satisfactory” on a rubric)

 

Justify why that standard is appropriate (e.g., “Based on a criterion-referenced study of 200 pilot testers”)

 

For rubric-based assessments: provide the rubric with passing threshold clearly marked

 

Assessment Security
For online, unproctored assessments:

Randomize question order and answer choices

Pull from a question bank (minimum 3x the number of questions presented)

Time limits (reasonable to prevent look-ups but not so tight as to penalize thoughtful learners)

 

Pillar 3: Instruction Requirements

AAA verifies that the people teaching your courses are qualified to do so.

Instructor Qualifications
For each instructor, provide:

CV or resume showing relevant education and work experience

Teaching credentials (if applicable; e.g., CPTD, CTDP, or academic degree in education)

 

Subject matter expertise evidence (e.g., industry certifications, publications, years of field experience)

 

Minimum acceptable qualification: At least 2 years of field experience in the subject AND completion of a basic teaching or facilitation skills course.

Instructor Assignment

Document which instructor teaches which course/module

 

For self-paced online: identify the subject matter expert who developed the content and the person who answers learner questions

 

Professional Development

Show that instructors receive at least 10 hours of annual professional development (teaching methods or subject matter)

 

Keep attendance records or certificates

 

 

Pillar 4: Quality Management Requirements

These operational requirements ensure your training center is sustainable and accountable.

Records Retention

Maintain learner records (enrollment, completion, assessment scores, certificate issued)

 

Records must be retrievable within 5 business days of request

 

Secure against loss (backup system or cloud storage with redundancy)

 

Program Evaluation

Collect learner feedback on each course offering (survey or structured form)

Minimum response rate target: 30% of enrolled learners

Review feedback annually and document any curriculum changes made in response

 

Marketing and Advertising

All claims about your programs must be truthful and not misleading

If you publish job placement or salary outcomes, retain supporting data for AAA audit

Display AAA accreditation seal according to AAA’s branding guidelines (provided upon accreditation)

 

Documentation Checklist Before You Apply

 

Program Design

Learning objectives documented for each program

Prerequisites stated

Program length in hours

List of learning resources

 

Assessment

Assessment methods specified (with samples)

Passing score/rubric defined

Retake policy documented

Assessment security measures (online courses)

 

Instruction

Instructor CVs collected

Instructor qualifications verified

Professional development records (past 12 months)

 

Common Gaps That Delay Accreditation

Based on AAA’s review of hundreds of applications, these are the most frequent missing items:

Learning objectives that are not measurable (“Understand X” is not acceptable; “Demonstrate X” is)

 

No passing standard justification (Why 75%? Why not 70% or 80%?)

Online assessment security not documented (You must explain your anti-cheating measures)

Instructor CVs missing teaching credentials (Field expertise is not enough; show teaching ability)

Complaint policy not publicly posted (A PDF on your website is fine—but it must be there)

 

What If You Do Not Have Everything Yet?

Do not wait until you are perfect to apply. AAA offers a Pre-Assessment Gap Analysis service: for a reduced fee, an assessor reviews your current documentation and tells you exactly what is missing, with no negative record if you are not ready.

Most training providers take 15–45 days after the gap analysis to complete all requirements.