Quality assurance
Certification confirms that an eligible Bible institute program operates according to established institutional and educational quality standards.
Certification applicant handbook
Your guide to AETH Certification
Understand the program, prepare your institution, follow the application process, and sign in when you are ready to begin.
Before you begin
- Your institution needs an active AETH institutional membership.
- Use the account connected to that institutional membership.
- Prepare institutional information and supporting PDF documents.
Marta Luna
Certification Program Director
A warm welcome
Welcome to the AETH Certification Program
We are delighted to accompany your institution through this process. This handbook brings together the information you need to understand the program, prepare your materials, register, and access your application. We invite you to review each section before you begin.
If you still have questions after reviewing the information on this page, please email us at memberships@aeth.org .
About the program
What is AETH Certification?
The Certification Program helps eligible Bible institutes demonstrate educational quality and build stronger academic and institutional practices.
Continuous improvement
The process guides institutions toward meaningful academic and organizational improvement, not simply a final designation.
AETH certifies programs—not entire institutions
Certification applies to the bachelor-level programs offered by an eligible Bible institute. It is not institutional accreditation or certification of the institute as a whole.
Eligibility
Who can apply?
Before beginning, confirm that your institution and the specific program you want certified meet the basic entry requirements.
Active AETH membership
The institution must maintain an active AETH institutional membership throughout the certification process.
Program-level application
Apply for the specific bachelor-level Bible institute program that will be reviewed and, if approved, certified.
Application and opening fee
Submit the certification application and the current $300 application, file-opening, and initial review fee.
How readiness is evaluated
AETH reviews five areas of institutional and educational readiness. The numbers show the relative weight assigned to each area.
Organization and governance
25%
Finances
20%
Facilities
15%
Educational programs
25%
Enrollment
15%
Know what certification means
AETH Certification applies to the approved program, not the institution as a whole. It is distinct from accreditation and does not grant legal authority or status.
Learn at your pace
Certification video guide
Watch the chapters in order for a clear introduction to the program, eligibility process, certification decision, and common questions.
These videos are currently available in Spanish only.
5
video chapters
Chapter 1
Introduction to the AETH Certification Program
Chapter 2
How to Start Program Certification
Chapter 3
Eligibility Determination
Chapter 4
Certification Decision
Chapter 5
Questions and Answers
Getting started
How to register and begin
Follow these four steps to enter the correct application area and start your institutional profile.
Confirm institutional membership
Your institution must have an active AETH institutional membership before the certification application can be opened.
Open the applicant login
Use the email and password for the account connected to the active institutional membership.
Select the application path
Choose Initial Certification for a first application, or Renewal / Self-Study for an existing certification process.
Build the institutional profile
Complete each section in order. Your progress is saved as you prepare the full application.
Active institutional membership is required
If your membership is inactive or has not yet been created, complete that step before trying to sign in.
Choose carefully
Select the right application path
The path you select determines the certification workflow shown in your institutional profile.
Initial Certification Application
Select this option when your program is applying for AETH Certification for the first time.
Renewal / Self-Study
Select this option when renewing an existing certification or completing a requested self-study process.
Plan ahead
Costs and timeline
Use these current fees and maximum review periods to plan your institution’s time and budget. Each phase begins after the required materials for that phase are received.
$300
Application and opening review
Paid when the certification application is submitted and the institutional file is opened.
$700
Self-study review
Paid when the completed institutional self-study is submitted for committee review.
$2,500
Verification visit
Covers the formal on-site or scheduled verification phase with the AETH evaluation team.
$1,250
Possible second visit
Applies only if a follow-up verification visit is required after an improvement period.
$1,000
Annual certified-program fee
Current annual fee after certification, submitted with the program’s required annual report.
All fees are in U.S. dollars. These are the current published fees and are subject to change; confirm applicable charges with AETH before each payment.
Expected review periods
These are maximum or typical timeframes from the certification handbook; complete and timely submissions help the process move forward.
1
Up to 3 months
Eligibility determination
AETH reviews the initial application and notifies the institution whether it is eligible to continue.
2
Up to 6 months
Institutional self-study
An eligible institution prepares and submits its complete self-study and supporting evidence.
3
Up to 3 months
Self-study review
The Certification Committee reviews the self-study before the verification phase is scheduled.
4
2–3 days
Verification visit
A team of two or three evaluators verifies the submitted information. The visit and report process is completed within up to three months after the self-study is submitted.
5
Up to 1 month
Committee decision
The Certification Committee reviews the final record and makes its recommendation.
6
Up to 45 days
Final decision
The AETH Executive Council makes the final certification decision.
Prepare your information
Institutional profile checklist
The application contains 12 sections. Gather the institutional information and PDF documents needed for each area before you begin.
12 application sections
1
Institute
2
Leadership
3
Mission
4
Academic Programs
5
Faculty and Students
6
Governance and Finance
7
Facilities and Resources
8
Legal Status
9
Readiness Self-Assessment
10
Documents
11
Institutional Narrative
12
Declaration and Signatures
The application saves your progress and unlocks later steps after the current required section is complete.
Documents to prepare
Build your self-study file early
Prepare these core records before the self-study phase. Clear, current, and well-organized files make the review easier for your institution and the evaluation team.
15
core items
1
Institute leaders, names, and roles
2
Mission statement
3
Institutional bylaws
4
Current budget
5
Strategic financial plan
6
Facilities map or description
7
Library information
8
List of educational programs
9
Program completion requirements
10
Faculty qualifications
11
Evidence of faculty compensation
12
Admission requirements
13
Graduation requirements
14
Grading system
15
Student records maintenance and security procedures
Additional evidence may be requested
Keep your organizational chart, strategic plan, three-to-five-year budget plan, available audit, institutional manuals, academic catalog, course syllabi, meeting minutes, and survey results ready as supporting evidence.
After submission
What happens next?
Your submission begins a documented review process. AETH communicates at each major stage and may request clarification or improvement before a final decision.
Eligibility review
AETH reviews the application. If the program is not yet eligible, the institution receives a written evaluation identifying areas to strengthen.
Self-study and committee review
Eligible institutions complete the self-study, submit supporting evidence, and respond to any questions from the Certification Committee.
Verification visit
AETH appoints two or three evaluators for a two-to-three-day visit to verify evidence and speak with institutional representatives.
Report and institutional response
The draft is usually issued within 2–3 weeks. The institution has 1–2 weeks for factual corrections, followed by 2–3 weeks for the final report and 2–3 weeks for its institutional response.
Recommendation and final decision
The Certification Committee makes a recommendation, and the AETH Executive Council makes the final decision.
Ongoing responsibilities
A certified program submits an annual report, pays the current annual fee, and prepares for revalidation at the end of its certification term.
If certification is granted
The specific program receives an initial three-year certification term. After the first revalidation, later certification terms are five years.
If improvement is required
AETH provides written guidance and may allow up to six months for improvements. A second verification visit may be required before another decision.
Choose the correct portal
How are you participating in Certification?
Applicants and evaluation team members use different portals. Choose your responsibility below so the system can take you to the correct sign-in.
Applicant Portal
For authorized institutional representatives who are starting, continuing, or monitoring a Certification Program application.
Use the account connected to an active AETH institutional membership. This portal verifies institutional membership after sign-in.
Continue to Applicant Portal
Commissioner Evaluation Portal
For Commissioners, Senior Commissioners and Chairs, the Certification Commission Head, and certification administrators reviewing assigned cases.
Do not use the applicant form below. Sign in through the Evaluation Portal with the account that has your commission role.
After signing in, open Certification Program → Applications to see your assigned cases.
Open Evaluation Portal
Applicant access
Continue Your Application
Sign in with the email associated with your active AETH institutional membership to begin or continue your application.
- Use the email associated with the institutional membership.
- Return at any time to continue saved work.
- Use Application Status after login to monitor completed and pending sections.
Access is exclusively for institutions with an active AETH institutional membership.
Login assistance
Forgot your password?
You can recover access without contacting AETH. Follow these steps using the email connected to your institutional membership.
Use the correct email
Enter the email address associated with your active institutional membership.
Request a reset link
Select Reset my password and submit that institutional email address.
Check every inbox folder
Look for the reset message in your inbox, spam, junk, and promotions folders.
Create a new password
Open the secure link in the email, set your new password, and return to this page.
Still did not receive the reset email?
After checking your email address and spam folder, contact the AETH Help Center for assistance.
Need more information?
Explore the program or contact AETH
Review the complete public program information or send a certification inquiry before starting your application.