With the launch of the Refreshed Standards & Measures (2026), much of the conversation has focused on what changed. And now that Version 2026 is in use, the more important question is: What do these updates mean in practice for health departments?

The answer is simple. The Refreshed Standards and Measures (2026) and process improvements were designed to help health departments spend less time navigating Accreditation requirements and more time demonstrating the work already happening in their communities.

While the refresh includes clearer language, reduced documentation requirements, and updated examples, some of the most significant benefits are found in the new flexibilities and supports that can help health departments work smarter throughout the Accreditation cycle.

Moving Beyond the “Year Five Crunch”

One of the most notable enhancements is the opportunity to distribute Reaccreditation work across Annual Report years rather than concentrating it all in a single submission cycle.

Through updated Annual Report Reflection & Learning options, health departments can choose to submit focused narratives or documentation for up to five complete measures before their next submission. Measures that meet the intent of the standards can carry forward into the next Accreditation cycle, reducing the need to package and resubmit the same work later.

This approach supports continuous quality improvement while creating a more manageable experience for health departments balancing Accreditation alongside everyday public health responsibilities.

New Ways to Demonstrate Your Work

The improved process also introduces Alternative Assessment Options (AAOs) for select requirements.

Rather than relying solely on uploaded documentation, health departments may choose, for up to five eligible requirements, to demonstrate conformity through a site visit conversation, demonstration, and/or visual observation.

For many departments, this provides an opportunity to showcase systems, practices, and processes that are often easier to see than document. It also reflects a broader shift throughout PHAB Accreditation toward focusing on implementation, impact, and real-world practice.

Reducing Duplication Through Shared Statewide Resources

PHAB continues to support one of the field’s most practical efficiency strategies: statewide documentation. Through PHAB’s statewide documentation review process, state health departments can submit standardized policies, plans, protocols, and systems that are used across multiple jurisdictions. Once approved, that documentation can be leveraged by local health departments, helping reduce duplicate submissions, promote consistency, and streamline accreditation efforts statewide. For health departments already balancing competing priorities, statewide documentation offers a way to build on existing work rather than recreating it. Learn more.

More Support Between Accreditation Cycles

Health departments have consistently shared that having a knowledgeable point of contact added value throughout the accreditation process.

In response, Accredited health departments will once again retain an assigned Accreditation Specialist between cycles. Accreditation Specialists can provide process guidance, answer measure interpretation questions, connect departments to resources, and support Reaccreditation planning long before documentation submission begins.

Combined with strategic touchpoints throughout the Accreditation cycle, this creates more opportunities for engagement, planning, and problem-solving before challenges arise.

Health departments that do not yet have an assigned Accreditation Specialist may continue to reach out to askPHAB@phboard.org with any questions. This inbox is monitored by PHAB’s entire Accreditation & Recognition Team.

Guidance That Goes Further

One of the clearest messages PHAB heard throughout the refresh process was that guidance matters. Health departments wanted not only clearer requirements, but also practical resources that help translate standards into action.

In response, PHAB has introduced enhanced guidance throughout the Standards & Measures, including new best practices and pro tips that help health departments identify connections across measures, discover implementation strategies, and apply requirements in ways that make sense for their local context.

Beyond the Standards themselves, PHAB continues to expand a growing collection of complimentary tools, templates, and tip sheets designed to support implementation. Resources such as strategic planning templates, workforce planning tools, quality improvement resources, project management tools, communication templates, and accreditation readiness materials help health departments build on proven approaches rather than starting from scratch. Learn more about available complimentary tools and templates.

The refreshed guidance also incorporates examples and resources related to emerging areas of practice, including healthy aging, workforce retention, planetary health, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI). Together, these resources are intended to make Accreditation more than a set of requirements. They are designed to support ongoing learning, continuous improvement, and stronger public health practice.

Looking Ahead

The Standards and Measures (2026) and process improvements we have madeare not simply a refresh of Accreditation requirements. It is an effort to create a more flexible, practical, and supportive Accreditation experience.

Whether through spreading work across Annual Reports, taking advantage of Alternative Assessment Options, leveraging statewide documentation, or using new implementation resources, health departments now have more opportunities to demonstrate quality and impact in ways that align with how public health work actually happens.

At a time when health departments are navigating changing priorities, workforce pressures, and evolving community needs, national standards provide something increasingly valuable: a shared framework for demonstrating accountability, performance, and impact. Accreditation helps ensure that regardless of size, structure, or geography, health departments are working toward common expectations for excellence in public health practice.

We have built on that foundation by making it easier for health departments to focus on what matters most, improving services, strengthening organizations, and advancing healthier communities. As implementation continues, PHAB remains committed to supporting the field and ensuring that Accreditation remains a meaningful tool for both accountability and continuous improvement.