Accreditation is a term used to denote a level of approval or certification granted to an organization, institution, individual or program. There are several synonyms for the word accreditation, including certification, endorsement, validation, recognition, approval, and authority. These terms indicate that an organization or individual has been approved or certified by a governing body, and that their work meets a particular standard or level of quality. Accreditation is important in many industries, from education to healthcare to professional services. It provides assurance to consumers and employers that the individual or organization has undergone a rigorous evaluation process and has met important standards and criteria.