The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is a specialized accrediting body created by the American Counseling Association (ACA) and its membership divisions to provide a nationally based standards review process for the counseling profession's graduate level preparation programs. Accreditation of counseling programs includes five stages: (1) self-examination; (2) a report addressing how the program meets standards; (3) on-site visit by team; (4) rendering of accreditation decisions by CACREP board; and (5) submission of interim reports and annual surveys. CACREP standards provide the guidelines for master's and doctoral level preparation accepted nationally by the counseling profession. Inherent in the accreditation process is continuous evaluation and responsive feedback so that programs and the profession remain current with the problems faced by entering professionals. (ABL)