PRSAS are launching updated accreditation standards for pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) services across the UK and the Republic of Ireland on 1 December 2025.
The PRSAS programme aims to help PR services improve the quality of care they deliver to patients and staff through a structured accreditation framework. PRSAS accreditation standards define what constitutes a high-quality, safe and appropriate PR service – one that provides an evidence-based programme of exercise and comprehensive education, delivered by a trained, supported and motivated workforce.
2025 standards
The revised standards were developed in collaboration with PR services and representatives from England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland, and are firmly underpinned by national guidance.
Key objectives of the 2025 update include:
• ensuring alignment with the latest national guidance and maintaining relevance for PR services
• reducing duplication within standards and evidence requirements, while preserving the same high level of quality
• improving the flow across domains and providing clearer guidance and evidence requirements to make engagement easier for services.
We thank all services, assessors, stakeholders, and patient organisations who contributed feedback during the September 2025 consultation. Your input has shaped a robust, forward-looking framework that supports high-quality care and keeps quality improvement at the centre of the work we ask services to undertake. These updated standards aim to be ambitious yet realistic and attainable, ensuring they continue to drive excellence in pulmonary rehabilitation.
Find the full report on the standards review project here.
For services working towards achieving accreditation
If you want to be assessed using the 2020 standards, submit your service's current self-assessment and request a site assessment by 31 January 2026; the assessment must take place by 31 May 2026.
• All remaining 2020 standard self-assessments will be cancelled on 1 February 2026. For earlier cancellation, contact pulmrehab@rcp.ac.uk.
For services new to accreditation, you can start an assessment on the 2025 standards from 1 December 2025.
For accredited services
• Annual reviews or reaccreditation assessments due before 1 June 2026 will be evaluated based on the 2020 standards and criteria.
• Annual reviews or reaccreditation assessments due on or after 1 June 2026 will be evaluated based on the 2025 standards and criteria.
Service training
All 2026 service training and support sessions will focus on the 2025 standards. Keep an eye out on our website for training dates.
If you have any queries regarding submitting for an assessment, please email pulmrehab@rcp.ac.uk or give the PRSAS team a ring on 020 3075 1407.