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Applying to be an ACE provider

Providers who wish to become approved by ACE for all their appropriate social work continuing education must pass a prequalification screening and submit a detailed application.

ACE prequalification request

CE providers applying to be an ACE provider must complete a request for prequalification and pay a US$25 fee. ACE will then make an eligibility determination, required before a CE provider may apply for provider approval.

Create an account in our application system to begin the prequalification process

 

ACE provider application

ACE offers a simplified online application process. Providers create an account as part of the prequalification process, and once prequalification is confirmed, providers can complete the online application.

The online system allows providers to complete the application in stages, stopping and starting as needed. No emailed applications or paper applications required.

Application tips

  • Review the ACE Handbook prior to starting the application
  • Refer to the new application checklist found in the appendix
  • Respond to every question. If a question does not apply, enter “n/a” and explain.

Application review process

The entire application review process usually takes a minimum of four months. Average time is four to six months from the receipt of a complete application until approval decision. ACE does not offer an expedited process.

  • Applications are reviewed in the order received. If an incomplete application is received, a staff member will contact the applicant to request missing items. Only when all items, including payment, have been received will the application be considered complete and ready for review.
  • Once the completed application(s) and course material have been reviewed, if deficiencies are identified, ACE will send a written review report detailing any areas that do not meet ACE standards and actions the applicant must take to comply with ACE requirements.
  • Application fees include three reviews of submitted materials. If additional reviews are needed, applicants must pay an additional application review fee for ACE staff to review responses or revised materials.
  • If ACE determines at any point in the review process that an applicant’s program is not relevant to social work, no additional revisions will be allowed.
  • Occasionally, the ACE review team encounters an issue with an applicant’s program that is not covered in the ACE Handbook. ASWB reserves the right to interpret or create a policy based on best practice to address the provider’s unique circumstances and to require the applicant adhere to the decision.
  • The review process must be completed within one year from the date of the initial application. Applicants who are not approved within a year will be denied approval and, if they wish to continue the application process, must reapply as a new applicant.
  • If approved, the provider will be notified in writing.
  • If the applicant is not approved as an ACE provider, the applicant may appeal the decision.
  • When reviewing an application, the ACE review team reserves the right to seek expert advice and relevant information from external sources, provided that such information is kept confidential by the review team and the adviser.

Fees

Review the fee sheet found in the appendix.

  • The nonrefundable application fee entitles a provider to application review and does not guarantee approval.
  • Applicants are responsible for reviewing the fee sheet and submitting the correct payment amount based on the number of courses offered in the initial approval period. Overpayments will not be refunded.
  • Fees are collected through the online application system when the application is completed. ASWB accepts MasterCard, Visa, and Discover for payments.
  • Applications do not enter the review process until payment is received.

Appeals

When an applicant or provider disagrees with an approval or revocation decision, the applicant or provider may appeal the decision to ASWB’s Board of Directors.

An applicant or provider my request an appeal if

  • Initial ACE approval is denied
  • ACE approval is revoked
  • Renewal is denied
  • An approved format has been removed from a provider’s approved format list
  • Appeals must be made in writing to the CEO of ASWB at the association’s current address.

Appeals must include the nonrefundable administrative appeal fee. See the fee sheet for more details.

Remaining in good standing with ACE

  • After ASWB grants approval, the provider must comply with ACE standards to stay in good standing.
  • Each ACE provider must complete and submit a provider agreement when initially applying and at every renewal.
  • Providers who are found to be out of compliance with ACE standards and are unable to come into compliance within the designated time frame will be determined to be non-compliant and will be subject to adverse action by ASWB ACE. The specifics of the adverse action are determined on a case-by-case basis and may include probation, suspension, or revocation of the ACE provider approval.
  • When a provider is found to be out of compliance with ACE standards, ASWB ACE will send a written report or statement that details why the provider has been found to be out of compliance, what actions ASWB ACE is taking, what the provider must do to come into compliance if ASWB ACE allows, and the deadline for completing required actions.

Course samples

When applying to become an ACE provider, applicants must submit a different course sample for each delivery format in which the organization is seeking approval.  All course materials must be mocked up to meet current ACE standards.  Examples of mocked up materials and a course material requirements checklist can be found in the appendix of the ACE Handbook.

A course sample consists of all applicable course materials including, but not limited to:

  • Promotional material (if the sample is a conference session, full conference promotional material is required) (standard 6.1)
  • Timed agenda/ outline (for courses or conference sessions over 2 hours) (standard 4.8)
  • Bibliography (standard 4.2)
  • Qualified instructor current resume (standard 4.5)
  • Attendance documentation: sign-in and out, attestation, etc. (required for in-person and live distance learning) include details, if necessary, to explain how attendance is tracked (standard 7.5)
  • Course materials (handouts, power points, articles, etc.) (standard 4.6)
  • Posttest (required for distance learning: asynchronous or non-interactive synchronous courses) (standard 4.10)
  • Pilot test (individual pilot test responses and a summary are required for: courses that include reading, where the provider wishes to pilot test instead of using ACE allowed credit amounts based on word count; any asynchronous course that is interactive with technology in such a way that determining credit amount is not possible based on word count and/or recorded time alone; or any distance learning course where the CE credit includes the time it takes to complete the posttest) (standard 4.9)
  • Evaluation (standard 7.4)
  • Certificate of credit (standard 7.5)
  • Distance learning questionnaire, if applicable