Short answer
No. Accreditation does not automatically transfer with a change of ownership, governance, or legal identity. Significant changes that affect governance, quality assurance, awarding practices, or the name under which qualifications are issued must be reported to ITAA immediately and may trigger review, conditions, suspension, or withdrawal of accreditation.
Why ownership change matters
Accreditation assesses an institution’s governance, quality assurance systems, academic leadership, financial stability, and the integrity of awards. A change of ownership or legal control can alter any of these factors and therefore affects the basis on which accreditation was granted. Students, employers, and regulators rely on stable institutional arrangements; unreported changes can create consumer-protection and compliance risks.
What institutions must do
- Notify ITAA in writing before or immediately after any sale, transfer, merger, or significant change in governance or legal identity.
- Provide documents demonstrating continuity of academic standards, awarding arrangements, financial oversight, and who will hold ultimate responsibility for certificates and degrees.
- Cooperate with any ITAA review, monitoring visit, or conditional re-accreditation process.
- Maintain accurate public information about accreditation status and any change that affects students.
Possible outcomes after review
Following review, ITAA may: impose conditions; require corrective action plans; place accreditation on hold; withdraw accreditation; or confirm continuation if continuity of quality and governance is demonstrated. Outcomes depend on documented evidence and the extent of change.
Student protections and awarding of qualifications
Institutions remain responsible for issuing valid certificates and records. Where ownership changes threaten the integrity of awards or records, ITAA will require measures to protect current students and alumni, including records custody and teach-out arrangements where necessary.
Frequently asked questions
Accreditation automatically transfers with a sale of the institution.
Accreditation does not transfer automatically. ITAA must be notified and may require reassessment to confirm governance and quality continue to meet standards.
ITAA accreditation replaces local government registration or licensing.
ITAA accreditation does not replace governmental recognition, registration, or required licences; institutions remain solely responsible for compliance with all applicable laws.
ITAA’s position
ITAA is a private theological accreditation agency. ITAA is not a governmental accreditation authority. ITAA accreditation never overrides local law. Institutions remain solely responsible for compliance with all applicable national, state or provincial, regional, and local laws. Accreditation status does not replace governmental recognition where required.
Institutions must notify ITAA promptly of significant changes of ownership, governance, or legal identity and must cooperate with any subsequent review. Failure to notify or to maintain required standards may lead to suspension or withdrawal of accreditation.
Important Accreditation Information: /important-accreditation-information/