By-Laws

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Section 1. Name
The name of the organization shall be the International Council for Ayurveda Accreditation (ICAA).

Section 2. Purpose
ICAA exists to promote excellence, standardization, and integrity in Ayurvedic education and practice globally through transparent and rigorous accreditation processes.

ICAA actively promotes continuous improvement in the preparation of Ayurveda Medical practitioners by developing clinical competency based measurable criteria for excellence in integrative medicine.

ICAA accreditation sets the benchmark for students and medical educational institutions to ensure that graduates are well trained and evaluated by strict quality standards to work in clinics and healthcare organizations at different provider levels and scopes of practice.

The principal office of ICAA is located in Hernando, Florida.

ICAA offers two memberships: 

• Associate status is granted to Ayurveda Schools currently undergoing the accreditation process.
• Member status is granted to Ayurveda Schools who have met all rigorous ICAA accreditation standards.

Section 1. Authority
The Board of Directors ("Board") shall have authority over the governance, policies, finances, and accreditation activities of the Council.

Section 2. Composition
The Board shall consist of at least 6 and no more than 10 voting Directors, holding the following offices:

• President / Chairperson & Director of Academic Affairs
  (Overall leadership, vision, final decisions. Outreach to institutions, governments, and international bodies)
• Vice President
  (Supports President; steps in when President is unavailable. Outreach to institutions, governments, and international bodies)
• Secretary General
  (Manages board records, official documents, minutes of meetings)
• Treasurer
  (Manages finances, budgets, and reporting)
• Director of Accreditation Standards
  (Leads development and updates of curriculum and accreditation standards. Ensures accreditation standards are evidence-informed)
• Director of Legal, Regulatory Affairs & Ethics and Compliance
  (Oversees legal frameworks, contracts, compliance with regional laws. Handles ethics policies, conflict of interest, discipline)

Section 3. Terms
Directors shall serve a term of three (3) years, renewable once consecutively. After a one-year break, individuals may be eligible for reelection.

Section 4. Ethical Conduct and Conflict of Interests

Officers, Directors and Members will uphold the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and transparency. Disclosure of conflicts of interest and refraining from voting when appropriate is mandatory. ICAA board membership cannot be held while fulfilling other function or membership in other Ayurvedic Accreditation Boards or Committees outside of ICAA.

Section 5. Meetings
The Board shall meet at least four (4) times per year, either virtually or in person. Special meetings may be called by the President or any three Directors.

Section 6. Quorum
A majority (over 75%) of the voting Directors shall constitute a quorum for business decisions.

Section 7. Voting
Each Director shall have one vote. Decisions require a simple majority unless otherwise stated.

Section 8. Resignation and Removal
Any director/officer/member may resign in writing. Any director/officer/member may be removed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board for cause, including breach of ethics or non-performance.

Section 1. Officers and Director Duties

• President / Chairperson & Director of Academic Affairs
  (Overall leadership, vision, final decisions. Outreach to institutions, governments, and international bodies)
• Vice President
  (Supports President; steps in when President is unavailable. Outreach to institutions, governments, and international bodies)
• Secretary General
  (Manages board records, official documents, minutes of meetings)
• Treasurer
  (Manages finances, budgets, and reporting)
• Director of Accreditation Standards
  (Leads development and updates of curriculum and accreditation standards. Ensures accreditation standards are evidence-informed)
• Director of Legal, Regulatory Affairs & Ethics and Compliance
  (Oversees legal frameworks, contracts, compliance with regional laws. Handles ethics policies, conflict of interest, discipline)

Section 2. Election of Officers & Directors
Officers and directors are elected by the Board at the Annual General Meeting.

Section 3. Officer and Director Vacancies
Vacancies shall be filled by majority Board vote within 60 days. 

Section 1. Standing Committees

Each committee shall have a Chair appointed by the Board and at least two additional members. The following Standing Committees shall exist:

• Accreditation Standards Committee
• Educational, Research, Review and Approval Committee
• Ethics, Legal and Professional Standards Committee
• Finance and Audit Committee
• International Collaboration Committee / Public Affairs and Advocacy Committee

Section 2. Special Committees
The Board may establish Special Committees as needed.

A Special Advisory Council composed of Senior Advisors, Student Representatives, Public Representatives, and Integrative Medicine Liaisons may be formed as needed.

They shall have no voting rights but may participate in discussions.

Current Special Advisory Roles (Non-voting)

• Senior      Advisors (Veteran Ayurvedic scholars, BAMS professors
• Student      Representative (From an accredited program)
• Public      Representative (Representing consumer interest from US and abroad)
• Integrative      Medicine Liaison (Bridge to contemporary medicine organizations)

Section 1. Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of ICAA shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31.

Section 2. Audits
The accounts shall be audited annually by an independent auditor approved by the Board.

Section 3. Contracts and Funds
The Board must approve all contracts and disbursements exceeding a limit specified in internal policies. 

All Directors and Officers shall complete an annual Conflict of Interest Disclosure.
Any conflict must be disclosed immediately, and the director must abstain from relevant votes.

These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Board at any regular or special meeting, provided that written notice of the proposed changes is given at least 30 days in advance.

In the event of dissolution, all assets remaining after payment of debts shall be transferred to a nonprofit organization supporting Ayurvedic education, selected by the Board.