AAHRPP will accredit the HRPP of any eligible organization that seeks accreditation (as below).

Common organizations that seek accreditation include, but are not limited to:

Academic institutions: A single, free-standing university, college, medical school, or other professional school under a single chief executive officer is an accreditable organization. The academic institution applies for accreditation as a whole unit regardless of the number of institutional review boards/ethics committees (IRBs/ECs) or separate schools within the university. In rare exceptions, smaller units within a university may be accepted as an accreditable organization if the university can demonstrate that each smaller unit has its own organizationally separate HRPP, e.g., a separate Federalwide Assurance. However, AAHRPP's policy is to accredit academic institutions at the "campus" level rather than to accredit IRBs/ECs of the academic institution.

In large university systems, individual campuses that are functionally distinct with a chief executive officer (e.g., Chancellor) may apply for accreditation as individual entities. Each institution (typically, an individual campus) applies for accreditation as a whole unit regardless of the number of IRBs/ECs or separate schools within the entity. On the other hand, if a university system as a whole wishes to apply for accreditation, AAHRPP will consider such requests on a case-by-case basis.

Academic medical centers: A free-standing medical school or other professional school with an affiliated teaching hospital or health system under a single chief executive officer is an accreditable organization.

Contract research organizations: A contract research organization under a single chief executive officer is an accreditable organization. The contract research organization applies for accreditation as a whole unit regardless of the number of IRBs/ECs or separate departments within the organization. In large contract research organizations, individual units that are functionally separate and have an executive officer may apply individually.

Government agencies: An agency within a department that has its own director, commissioner, or administrator is an accreditable organization. The agency applies for accreditation as a whole unit regardless of the number of IRBs/ECs or separate units within the agency. In rare exceptions, smaller units within an agency may be accepted as an accreditable organization if the agency can demonstrate that each smaller unit has its own organizationally separate HRPP.

Health systems: A hospital/health system is a group of healthcare organizations (e.g., physician practices, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities) that are jointly owned or managed under a single chief executive officer. The health system applies for accreditation as a whole unit regardless of the number of hospitals or healthcare organizations or number of IRBs/ECs.

Hospitals: A hospital under a single chief executive officer or director is an accreditable organization. The hospital applies for accreditation as a whole unit regardless of the number of IRBs/ECs or separate departments, centers, or similar subunits within the hospital. In large hospital systems, individual hospitals that are functionally separate and have chief executive officers or directors may apply individually.

Independent Review Boards or independent IRBs/ECs: An independent IRB/EC is not part of an organization that conducts research and is not owned or operated by the research organization for which it provides review services. These organizations are sometimes referred to as commercial IRBs/ECs. IRBs/ECs embedded within the organization that may conduct research (such as academic organizations, hospitals, or health systems) are not considered independent IRBs or ECs. The independent IRB/EC applies for accreditation as a whole unit. Independent IRBs/ECs that apply for accreditation must be able to meet the Accreditation Standards in all three domains, as applicable.

Private entities: A corporation or other incorporated entity, either non-profit or for-profit, under a single chief executive officer, is an accreditable organization. The entity applies for accreditation as a whole unit regardless of the number of IRBs/ECs or separate departments within the entity. In large entities, individual divisions, plants, facilities, or other parts that are functionally separate and have an executive officer may apply individually.

Dedicated research sites: A dedicated research site under a single chief executive officer is an accreditable organization. The research site applies for accreditation as a whole unit regardless of the number of facilities that it has engaged to conduct research. Research sites that apply for accreditation must be able to meet the Accreditation Standards in all three domains, as applicable.