The beginnings of PHAB can be traced back to the Exploring Accreditation Project (EAP). Launched in 2005, the EAP was supported in partnership by CDC and RWJF as a fourteen-month exploration process to determine if it is feasible and desirable to implement a national voluntary accreditation program. The EAP Steering Committee and four workgroups were made up of public health practitioners from all three levels of government and members of academia. Subject matter experts were also consulted.

In the winter of 2006-07, the EAP released its final recommendation that it is feasible and desirable to move forward with establishing a national voluntary program. The report provided a detailed model for the development of the program, which PHAB is following.

PHAB was incorporated in May 2007.