Accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
To ensure you receive the highest quality education, Northeast Iowa Community College follows the established criteria of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) for accreditation; in partnership with state and federal agencies. This is a 10 year standard pathway cycle of accreditation focused on quality assurance and institutional improvement.
The following Criteria must be met for HLC Accreditation:
- Articulate the mission publicly & operationalize throughout the College.
- Act with integrity; the College's conduct is ethical and responsible.
- Provide quality education, wherever and however offerings are delivered.
- Demonstrate responsibility for the quality of educational programs, learning environments, and support services, and evaluate the effectiveness of student learning through processes designed to promote continuous improvement.
- Resources, structures and processes fulfill the mission, improve the quality of educational offerings, and respond to future challenges and opportunities.
Review the College's HLC statement of accreditation.
Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604
800.621.7440
Iowa Department of Education
Accreditation by the Iowa Department of Education (IDOE) confirms that NICC offers educational opportunities and services consistent with state standards, as prescribed by Iowa Code and assures the public that its tax-supported educational institutions operate at expected levels of efficiency and effectiveness.
Accreditation of College Programs and Partnerships
The NICC concurrent enrollment program is accredited by the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships.
Mandatory
Initial Accreditation Date: 2012
Accreditation Status: Continued accreditation
Most Recent Site Visit Findings: 6/7/2019 Letter
Next Accreditation Site Visit: 2026
The Dental Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and has been granted the accreditation status of "approval without reporting requirements." The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. The Commission on Dental Accreditation can be contacted at 312.440.4653 or at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. View the Commission's website.
Mandatory
Initial Accreditation Date: 1977
Accreditation Status: Full Accreditation
Most Recent Site Visit Findings: 8/10/2023 Letter
Next Accreditation Site Visit: 2028
The Health Information Management accreditor of Northeast Iowa Community College is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). The College’s accreditation for associates degree in Health Information Management has been reaffirmed through 2026. All inquiries about the program’s accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL 60601; by phone at 312.235.3255; or by email at info@cahiim.org.
Voluntary
Initial Accreditation Date: 1990
Accreditation Status: Reaccredited; a virtual follow-up will be conducted on April 20, 2027 to ensure compliance with the 2026 CAHIM Standards.
Most Recent Site Visit Findings: 12/13/2023 Letter
Next Accreditation Site Visit: 2030
The Medical Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 - 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775-7709
727.210.2350
Mandatory
Initial Accreditation Date: 2014
Accreditation Status: Continuing accreditation
Most Recent Site Visit Findings: 3/15/2024 Letter
Next Accreditation Site Visit: 2033
Northeast Iowa Community College Associate Degree in Nursing Program holds continuing accreditation from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037 or 202.909.2487.
Voluntary
Initial Accreditation Date: 2019
Accreditation Status: Continuing accreditation granted with additional information submitted for Quality Indicators (accepted on 6/23/2025)
Most Recent Site Visit Findings: 2/13/2025 Letter
Next Accreditation Site Visit: 2034
The Associate Degree in Nursing Program is approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing.
Mandatory
Initial Accreditation Date: 1977
Accreditation Status: Approved
Most Recent Site Visit Findings: 7/18/2024 Letter
Next Accreditation Site Visit: 2030
Northeast Iowa Community College Practical/Vocational Nursing Program holds continuing accreditation from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037 or 202.909.2487.
Voluntary
Initial Accreditation Date: 2019
Accreditation Status: Continuing accreditation granted with additional information submitted for Quality Indicators (accepted on 6/23/2025)
Most Recent Site Visit Findings: 2/13/2025 Letter
Next Accreditation Site Visit: 2034
The Practical Nursing program is approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing.
Mandatory
Initial Accreditation Date: 1977
Accreditation Status: Approved
Most Recent Site Visit Findings: 7/18/2024 letter
Next Accreditation Site Visit: 2030
The NICC EMT-Paramedic program meets all requirements as outlined in the United States Department of Transportation and the Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic National Standard Curriculum.
The NICC Paramedic program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs can be contacted at:
9355 - 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775-7709
727.210.2350
The Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions can be contacted at:
8301 Lakeview Parkway
Suite #111-312
Rowlett, TX 75088
214.703.8445
Mandatory
Initial Accreditation Date: 2014
Accreditation Status: Continuing
Most Recent Site Visit Findings: 1/20/2026 CAAHEP Letter; Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Emergency Medical and Trauma Services EMS Training Program Authorization Certificate
Next Accreditation Site Visit: 2031
The Production and Companion Animal Veterinary Technician Program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA). The Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities can be contacted at 1931 North Meacham Road, Suite 100, Schaumburg, IL 60173-4360 or 800.248.2862.
Voluntary
Initial Accreditation Date: 2014
Accreditation Status: Following review of the progress report for the Northeast Iowa Community College veterinary technology program, the AVMA Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) continued the program on Full accreditation.
Most Recent Site Visit Findings: 6/28/2024 Letter, CVTEA Report of Evaluation, 6/30/2025 Letter
Next Accreditation Site Visit: 2030
The Radiologic Technology program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).
Mandatory
Initial Accreditation Date: 1988
Accreditation Status: Maximal accreditation of eight years
Most Recent Site Visit Findings: 10/26/2022 Letter for 6/2022 Visit
Next Accreditation Site Visit: 2030
The Respiratory Care program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
Mandatory
Initial Accreditation Date: 1975
Accreditation Status: Reaffirmation of Continuing Accreditation
Most Recent Site Visit Findings: 3/19/2021 Letter
Next Accreditation Site Visit: 2031
Contact Us About Accreditation
- Email: nacos-burdsk@nicc.edu
- Phone: 563.562.3263, ext. 2135