Standards & Measures Version 2022

Version 2022 PHAB Standards & Measures is now effective and serves as the official guidance for PHAB national public health department accreditation. After much input from the public health field, including partner organizations, health departments, and public vetting, Version 2022 reflects the future of public health practice.

Version 2022 Documents:

Highlights of Version 2022

  • 10 Domains, instead of 12, to align with the 10 Essential Public Health Services
  • 90 fewer required documents for initial accreditation with a focus on reducing documentation and clarifying requirements
  • Foundational Capabilities are embedded and easily identified to promote accountability

  • Health Equity is emphasized and considerations are included in every domain. Read more

  • Preparedness requirements have evolved based on lessons learned during COVID-19

When does Version 2022 go into effect?

  • Initial Accreditation: Health departments preparing to apply for accreditation for the first time can apply under Version 2022 beginning July 1, 2022. Health departments may apply for initial accreditation under Version 1.5 until July 1 but should consider the benefits of Version 2022 to decide.

  • Reaccreditation: Health departments whose application for reaccreditation has a current due date in the year 2022 or will be due in 2022 have the option to apply under Version 1.5 but should consider the benefits of Version 2022 to decide.

Updated Fees

Fees for Version 2022 have been updated to reflect new processes. Review the Version 2022 Fee Structure for more information.

Resources

During this webinar, PHAB discussed some differences between Version 1.5 and Version 2022, considerations for making the decision about which version to use, and additional details about the extension process for reaccreditation.

During this webinar, PHAB discussed the differences between Version 1.5 and Version 2022, considerations for making the decision about which version to use, and additional details about the extension process for health departments.

Additional Information

Beginning in 2017, PHAB worked to compile and analyze feedback from health departments, site visitors, partners, and other evidence from the public health field. After engaging expert panels and Think Tanks, PHAB developed a draft of Version 2022 to reflect the changing landscape of public health practice. Through a comprehensive public vetting process, PHAB finalized Version 2022 Standards & Measures in February 2022.

Our goals are that PHAB Standards & Measures Version 2022:

  1. Reflect current aspirations of the field.
  2. Focus on meeting the intent of the measures rather than on documenting it. By reducing duplication and streamlining requirements to reduce documentation burden.
  3. Promote accountability by making Foundational Public Health Capabilities  clearly visible in Version 2022.
  4. Clarify requirements providing additional examples in the Guidance column and consolidating all “must” requirements in the Required Documentation column.

See Insights on Standards & Measures for summaries from Think Tanks, Expert Panels, and Workgroups, as well as additional documentation including commissioned papers, information about what PHAB has learned from accredited health departments, and findings from literature. These cover a range of topics, including health equity, preparedness, environmental health, and healthy aging, among others.

For additional accreditation resources, visit phaboard.org/resources.