A substantive change is one that the CoARC believes is significant enough to require the program to notify the Commission of its occurrence. The sponsor must report substantive change(s) to the appropriate parties no less than six (6) months prior to the intended date of implementation, with the exception of an adverse action by appropriate institutional accrediting agency or a change in the program’s institutional accreditation status. Such a change requires an immediate notification to the COARC.

If a sponsoring institution that offers a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program has a change in its institutional accreditation status, the sponsor shall immediately submit to the CoARC Executive Office a report explaining the reason(s) for the status change, the effect of the decision on the program, and plans made by the sponsoring institution, if any, to address the change in status.

CoARC is responsible for reviewing all substantive changes that occur between regularly scheduled comprehensive on-site evaluations to determine whether or not the change has affected the quality of the total program and to ensure the public that all aspects of the professional program continue to meet defined standards.  While the decision to implement a substantive change is an institutional prerogative and responsibility, CoARC is obligated to determine the effect of any substantive change on the program’s ability to meet the Standards and Policies.

It is the responsibility of the sponsor to follow the Substantive Change policies and procedures of CoARC and to inform CoARC of such changes in accord with those procedures. In general, a program considering or planning a substantive change should notify CoARC early in the institution’s planning. Such notification will provide an opportunity for a program to seek consultation from CoARC Executive Office staff regarding the potential effect of the change on the accreditation status and the procedures to be followed.  If an accredited program is unclear as to whether a change is substantive in nature, it should contact the CoARC Executive Office for consultation.

If a program fails to follow this substantive change policy and its procedures, the program may be subject to an adverse accreditation action. The information provided by the program need not be extensive but must provide sufficient detail about the change so that the effect of the change on the accredited program can be assessed.

The CoARC Executive Office will review the substantive change application to ensure all questions of compliance with the Standards and Policies are met with the implementation of the change.  Approval of the change is granted when compliance is demonstrated.

After reviewing the information that the program has submitted regarding a substantive change, the CoARC Executive Office will notify the program of:

1. The need for additional information or clarification;
2. The need to arrange a focused site visit or change the date of the next scheduled site visit;
3. A recommendation being made to the CoARC Board to require a progress report;
4. Approval of the change with no further documentation required.

An Application for Substantive Change along with a cover letter on institutional letterhead must be sent to the Executive Office prior to implementing any of the following changes describing the nature of the change and the projected implementation date.