NMEDA & NEMT
Why NMEDA
NMEDA QAP accreditation for NEMT sets the safety standard for the wheelchair accessible vehicles running routes every day. For 35+ years, NMEDA has been the only nationally recognized accreditation program of its kind in the mobility equipment industry. In 2024, that standard expanded to cover commercial vehicle modifications. Here is where NMEDA fits into your operation.
Accreditation Programs
NMEDA QAP Accreditation for NEMT: How It Works
NMEDA runs two accreditation programs that work together to cover the full lifecycle of a wheelchair accessible vehicle, from the manufacturer who builds and modifies it to the dealer who installs, services and supports it in the field.
Manufacturer Quality Assurance Program
MQAP is built for auto mobility manufacturers. It verifies through independent, third-party review that every modified vehicle and mobility product an MQAP-accredited manufacturer produces meets applicable Federal and Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (F/CMVSS), including crash test results.
In addition, every product ships with the hardware and installation instructions required for proper installation. Technicians trained and certified by the manufacturer build and service every vehicle. For everyone downstream in the NEMT chain, that means the vehicle started right and stays right.
Quality Assurance Program
QAP is built for mobility equipment dealers. A QAP-accredited dealer is the local specialist who installs lifts, securements and mobility equipment, validates safe use through equipment training, and maintains 24/7 service availability if something goes wrong on a ride.
NMEDA independently reviews QAP dealers through annual audits and on-site evaluations. They do not self-certify. Instead, they must prove they meet the standard every year to keep their accreditation.
Together, that is compliant vehicles before the trip, protected passengers during the trip, and reliable equipment after the trip, audited and accountable at every stage.
The NMEDA Standard
What Membership Means
NMEDA membership is not a logo or a directory listing. Instead, QAP-accredited dealers and MQAP-accredited manufacturers must meet a structured, audited standard. Because the review process repeats on a set cycle, the standard holds over time, not just at the moment someone joins.
MQAP Members
An independent, third-party reviewer examines each manufacturer’s motor vehicle safety standard compliance data, including crash test results. As a result, every product they ship includes the required hardware and installation instructions.
QAP Members
Complete annual audits, maintain 24-hour service availability, and provide on-site evaluations. Both programs are structured, documented commitments. Not self-reported claims.
By Role
Why QAP Accreditation Matters for NEMT
Provider & Fleet Operator
If you are a provider or fleet operator:
QAP and MQAP accreditation is a vehicle-safety standard for the vehicles you already run. That means your fleet’s modifications follow a nationally audited spec. So instead of a one-off shop job, you get a documented, recurring standard behind every vehicle.
Broker
If you are a broker:
QAP-accredited is a credential you can point to. When a payer asks how you vet your vendors, “NMEDA QAP-accredited” gives you a specific, verifiable answer. That is a significant difference from a general quality claim with nothing behind it.
Payer & Regulator
If you are a payer or regulator:
Accreditation means consistency and auditability across a fragmented vendor landscape. Because NMEDA requires QAP-accredited dealers to participate on a recurring basis, you get a standard that holds year after year, not just at the point of signup.
Let us talk about where QAP fits your work.
Find accredited partners, or reach out directly.
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