Here is an explanation of accrediation straight from the acgme website ( <a href="http://www.acgme.org" target="_blank">www.acgme.org</a> )
Provisional accredition means that either this is a brand new program or that it lost its accrediation and is in the process of reestablishing a program. The website has a lot of other great information.
Withold Accreditation
A review committee may withhold accreditation when it determines that the proposal for a new program does not substantially comply with the Essentials. The review committee will cite those areas in which the proposed program does not comply with the Essentials.
Provisional Accreditation
Provisional accreditation is granted for initial accreditation of a program or for a previously accredited program that had its accreditation withdrawn and has subsequently applied for reaccreditation. Provisional accreditation may also be used in the unusual circumstance in which separately accredited programs merge into one or an accredited program has been so altered that in the judgment of the review committee it is the equivalent of a new program.
When a program is accredited on a provisional basis, the effective date of accreditation will be stipulated. Under special circumstances, the effective date may be made retroactive; however, unless specifically justified, it should not precede the beginning of the academic year during which the program is accredited.
Provisional accreditation implies that a program is in a developmental stage. It remains to be demonstrated that the proposal for which accreditation was granted will be implemented as planned. A review committee will monitor the developmental progress of a program accredited on a provisional basis. Following accreditation, programs should undergo a site visit in approximately 2 years in preparation for review by the respective committee. The interval between accreditation and the next review of the program should not exceed 3 years. In the course of monitoring a program's development, a review committee may continue provisional accreditation; however, the total period of provisional accreditation should not exceed 5 years for programs of 4 years' duration or less, or the length of the program plus 1 year for programs of 5 years' duration or longer. With the exception of special cases as determined by a review committee, if full accreditation is not granted within either of these time frames, accreditation of the program should be withdrawn.
Full Accreditation
A review committee may grant full accreditation in three circumstances:
When programs holding provisional accreditation have demonstrated, in accordance with ACGME procedures, that they are functioning on a stable basis in substantial compliance with the Essentials;
When programs holding full accreditation have demonstrated, upon review, that they continue to be in substantial compliance with the Essentials; and
When programs holding probationary accreditation have demonstrated, upon review, that they are in substantial compliance with the Essentials.
The maximum interval between reviews of a program holding full accreditation is 5 years; however, a review committee may specify a shorter cycle.
Probationary Accreditation
This category is used for programs holding full accreditation that are no longer considered to be in substantial compliance with the Essentials. The normal interval for review of programs holding probationary accreditation is 2 years; however, a review committee may specify a shorter cycle. In reviewing a program holding probationary accreditation, a committee may exercise the following options: grant full accreditation; withdraw accreditation; or, in special circumstances, continue probationary accreditation. A program should not hold probationary accreditation for more than 4 consecutive years until it is returned to full accreditation or the review committee acts to withdraw accreditation. This period may be extended for procedural reasons, as when a program exercises the right to appeal procedures or the review schedule exceeds 4 years. The probationary period is calculated from the date of the initial decision for probation. The Procedures for Proposed Adverse Actions and Procedures for Appeal of Adverse Actions, in subsequent text, provide further details on adverse actions.
Dr. Meyers (our new chairman) has brought/is bringing over a lot of big talent, and is very ambitious....hope that helped.
