Informational Webinar

Refreshed Standards & Measures

June 23, 2026 | 2:00 – 3:30 PM ET

In this webinar, the PHAB team will review the updates and answer questions from health departments at every stage of their Accreditation journey.

PHAB is refreshing the Accreditation Standards & Measures, with updates taking effect on July 1, 2026. 
Learn more about the refreshed Standards & Measures.

Deciding to pursue Initial Accreditation, Reaccreditation, or Pathways Recognition is the first step toward meeting national standards and starting your performance improvement journey.

Once you decide to pursue a PHAB program, there are some steps to review so that you are prepared:

1. Determine Eligibility

Review the eligibility requirements in the PHAB Learning Center to ensure your health department is eligible to apply for Pathways Recognition or Initial Accreditation. Official eligibility requirements are detailed in the Policy (located in the Learning Center).

2. Review the Introduction to PHAB course

This course provides a detailed overview of the PHAB organization, process, and functions. It also provides information about the Accreditation process and the value it can bring to your health department and community.

3. Register for the Readiness and Training process

The Readiness and Training process is a mandatory first step in applying for either Initial Accreditation or Pathways Recognition. Health departments must pay the Readiness and Training fee in order to gain access to required materials. Review more information below.

4. Review the Policy, Standards & Measures, and additional resources

Use the Standards & Measures for your intended program as your roadmap as you create and update plans and policies. For additional information on PHAB policies, visit The Learning Center. View resources.

Readiness and Training Process

The Readiness and Training process is a streamlined way for health departments to assess their readiness for either Initial Accreditation or Pathways Recognition and build capacity to go through the process. The Readiness and Training process includes two parts:

The Readiness Assessment is a way for health departments to assess their readiness for PHAB programs. This includes a focus on the Foundational Capabilities and provides valuable feedback directly from PHAB.

Health departments must submit the Readiness Assessment within 6 months of completing the live/virtual “Initial Accreditation & Pathways Training.” Learn more about the Readiness Assessment in this video.

Health departments will be required to attend two live trainings during the Readiness & Training Process:

  1. The Initial Accreditation & Pathways Training
  2. The Documentation Intensive for Initial Accreditation & Pathways Training

Departments will also gain access to a series of optional trainings in the Learning Center.

Trainings guide health departments through the Initial Accreditation and Pathways Recognition processes, provides an overview of the Standards & Measures, and covers all aspects of preparing documentation for Initial Accreditation and Pathways.

The Readiness and Training fee is $1,299 and includes the PHAB training, the Readiness Assessment, and a credit toward the Initial Accreditation or Pathways Recognition Application. Health departments must go through the Readiness and Training process prior to submitting an Application for Initial Accreditation or Pathways Recognition.

Process:

  • Register your health department for the Readiness and Training process.

  • Once your registration has been accepted by PHAB, you will receive an invoice for the Readiness and Training fee. The invoice must be paid to gain access to the Readiness Assessment and trainings.

  • After the invoice has been paid, you will gain access to optional on-demand trainings and will be invited to the required upcoming live trainings. Your Readiness & Training one-year clock will begin following completion of the live/virtual “Initial Accreditation & Pathways Training.” You will have 6 months following completion of the “Initial Accreditation & Pathways Training” to complete the Readiness Assessment and 12 months to complete the “Documentation Intensive for Initial Accreditation & Pathways Training” and the Application for either Pathways or Initial Accreditation.

During the Readiness & Training year, PHAB requires the Accreditation Coordinator (AC) of each department to complete the:

  • “Initial Accreditation & Pathways Training,” a live virtual training; and
  • “Documentation Intensive for Initial Accreditation & Pathways Training,” a live virtual training (recommended following submission of the Readiness Assessment).

Four other members of the department staff are welcome to attend live virtual trainings in support of the AC.

When a department enters Readiness & Training, the Accreditation Coordinator and Department Director are assigned both the Initial Accreditation Journey and Pathways Recognition Journey e-learning course in the Learning Center.  If you wish to have additional department staff enrolled, contact [email protected].

PHAB offers additional optional virtual training related to Accreditation and Recognition. These training courses are only available to departments who are working on Readiness & Training, Pathways Recognition, Initial Accreditation and Reaccreditation.

  • Rock Your Readiness! | How to interpret and use the results of your Readiness Assessment Report
  • Site Visit Preparation | Tips and guidance for preparing for the PHAB Site Visit

Learn more and register to attend additional trainings. 

PHAB offers a two-hour virtual training course aimed at the needs of new Accreditation Coordinators. Anyone is welcome to attend this training, which includes an overview of PHAB, the Accreditation Process, the roles involved in the Accreditation Process, the Standards & Measures, and an introduction to PHAB Resources.

PHAB offers several courses related to Accreditation in the Learning Library of PHAB’s Learning Center. Examples include:

  • Key Skills for Accreditation Coordinators
  • The Readiness Assessment
  • PHAB Training Guide
  • Documentation Form Basics
  • How to Make Accreditation Fun

Fees

PHAB instituted a fee structure to manage and maintain the national Accreditation process. Applicant fees are necessary for PHAB to provide quality services to both applicants for Accreditation and accredited health departments. Public health department Accreditation is not a “one-time” event; it is an ongoing commitment to continuous quality improvement.

Ready to Connect?

Contact our Accreditation team for guidance and support.

Related Pages

Initial Accreditation

Learn more

Pathways Recognition

Learn more

Reaccreditation

Learn more

Accreditation and Preparedness

Learn more