The purpose and functions of accreditation in the United States are explained and the five basic steps involved in the accrediting function are provided. The types of accredition are analyzed followed by a description of the nongovernmental coordinating agencies involved in accreditation. The functions of the Division of Eligibility and Agency Evaluation, established by the Commissioner of Education in 1968, and the Advisory Committee on Accreditation and Institutional Eligibility, established by charter under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (P.L. 92-463), are presented. A list of the current members of the Advisory Committee on Accreditation and Institutional Eligibility is also provided. Finally, information concerning criteria and procedures for recognizing national accrediting bodies is presented, followed by a list of regional and national accrediting agencies and associations which have been recognized by the U.S. Commissioner of Education. (SPG)