ACQ Accreditation Seal Usage Policy

The Autism Commission on Quality (ACQ) provides Accreditation Seal logos to organizations operating ACQ accredited locations. These logos are displayed on websites or other printed materials to advertise the organization’s accreditation status. ACQ accredited organizations are required to follow the Accreditation Seal Usage policy and guidelines when displaying ACQ logos.

Accreditation Seal Usage Guidelines

  • The ACQ Accreditation Seal logo must be displayed on each accredited organization’s website.
  • Any references to ACQ accreditation in print and online must clearly identify which locations are accredited unless all of the organization’s locations are accredited.
  • Nothing may be printed within or over the Accreditation Seal logo.
  • The Accreditation Seal logo may not be combined with other images or designs to create a new symbol or image.
  • The color versions of the Accreditation Seal logo should be reproduced as provided, in full color.
  • The single color version of the Accreditation Seal logo may be reproduced in any solid color if the logo remains visible.
  • The single color version of the Accreditation Seal logo should be used for black and white or grayscale documents.
  • The Accreditation Seal logo may be resized if the width to height ratio is preserved, and if the minimum width is not below 100 pixels.
  • When used on the organization’s website, the Accreditation Seal logo must either link to the ACQ homepage (https://autismcommission.org) or to a list of currently accredited locations operated by the organization. When the latter option is used, the webpage with the list of ACQ accredited locations must include a link to the ACQ homepage.
  • The organization’s usage of the Accreditation Seal may need to be changed when additional locations become accredited or if the organization opens new locations that are not ACQ accredited.

Accurately Describing an Organization’s ACQ Accreditation Status

Fully Accredited

Organizations are considered fully accredited when every one of its locations in every state that offers applied behavior analysis as a healthcare service to individuals with autism is ACQ accredited. Organizations meeting this criteria can refer to their fully accredited status using the following phrase: “[ORGANIZATION NAME] is fully accredited by ACQ.”

Fully Accredited Within a State

Organizations are considered fully accredited within a state when every location in that state that offers applied behavior analysis as a healthcare services to individuals with autism is ACQ accredited. This designation is used in the place of the shorter fully accredited designation, if the organization also operates locations in other states that are not ACQ accredited. This scenario can occur if the organization opens or acquires a new location in another state after an application for accreditation was started. Organizations meeting this criteria can refer to their fully accredited status within a state using the following phrasing: “[ORGANIZATION NAME] is fully accredited by ACQ in [STATE NAME(S)].”

Partially Accredited Within a State

Organizations are considered partially accredited in a state when it operates some accredited locations in the state that offer applied behavior analysis as a healthcare service as well as some unaccredited locations. This scenario can occur when an organization opens or acquires a new location that was not part of the organization’s original application for accreditation. Organizations meeting this criteria can refer to their partially accredited status within a state using the following phrasing: “[ORGANIZATION NAME] is partially accredited by ACQ in [STATE NAME(S)].”

Change in Accreditation Status

It is possible for organizations to be fully accredited in some states and partially accredited in other states. Organizations meeting this criteria can refer to their mixed accreditation status using the following phrase: “[ORGANIZATION NAME] is fully accredited in [STATE NAME(S)] and partially accredited in [STATE NAME(S)]. It is also possible for organizations to be fully accredited at the start of their accreditation cycle but become partially accredited later if it opens or acquires a new location.

Misrepresentation of ACQ Accreditation Status

It is the organization’s responsibility to accurately describe and identify its ACQ accreditation status to the public. Misrepresentations of the organization’s accreditation status are considered serious violations of the ACQ’s terms and conditions and could impact the organization’s ACQ accreditation status.