Short answer
Yes — an institution accredited by the International Theological Accreditation Association (ITAA) may issue certificates that fall within the scope of its approved programmes, provided it also complies with all applicable national, state/provincial and local laws and any statutory requirements for authorising awards in its jurisdiction.
What institutions must check before issuing certificates
Before issuing any certificate an institution must:
- Confirm the certificate is covered by its ITAA institutional or programme approval.
- Hold any licences, state approvals or government authorisations required in the country or subnational jurisdiction where the education is delivered or where students reside.
- Ensure awards, transcripts and public claims accurately describe the credential and do not imply governmental recognition where none exists.
- Maintain documented assessment, certification and quality-assurance records to support each award.
Common legal and consumer safeguards
Many jurisdictions regulate the right to award certain credentials. Institutions operating in regulated jurisdictions should verify statutory definitions and approval pathways (for example, certificates of authorisation, state approvals, or professional licensure alignment) before marketing or conferring certificates.
Practical steps for institutions
- Match each certificate programme to ITAA approval documentation (programme-level or institutional scope).
- Seek legal or regulatory advice where the jurisdiction requires state approval to issue certificates or to use specific award titles.
- Use clear public statements distinguishing ITAA non-governmental accreditation from any government recognition or statutory powers the institution may or may not hold.
- Keep student records, assessment evidence and certification policies available for audit and student queries.
Frequently asked details
Certificates issued under ITAA-accredited programmes should state the awarding institution and the ITAA accreditation status where appropriate, and must not imply governmental degree-awarding powers if those powers do not exist.
Frequently asked questions
ITAA accreditation is the same as government recognition.
ITAA is a non-governmental accreditation body and its accreditation does not replace or confer governmental recognition or statutory awarding powers.
An accredited institution can always award any named credential.
An institution must only award credentials that are within the scope of its approval and permitted by local law; some jurisdictions require separate state approval to issue certain certificates or to use protected award titles.
ITAA position
Locked ITAA statements:
- 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.
- ITAA does not grant statutory degree-awarding powers.
- Accreditation status does not replace governmental recognition where required.
Institutions must ensure they hold any licences or approvals required to award certificates in their operating jurisdictions and must avoid misleading public claims about the legal status of awards.