Following this introduction, we will describe key features of the current map of higher education program accreditation and individual licensure, presenting some history and current descriptive data while noting gaps in the available data. Next, we will discuss research on the impact of accreditation and licensure today, looking at what is known and, more notably, what is not known, about their effects on various dimensions of quality. The chapter concludes with recommendations about the research, public policies, and higher education practices that will be needed to realize the full potential of accreditation and licensure as levers for quality improvement. (author abstract)