Time Limits For Achieving At Least Certification

Agencies in self-assessment may be required to attain at least a Certification Award within the Commission’s established deadlines.

NOTE – As our program moves forward under the 6th Edition Standards and Program requirements, previous guidance that indicated that there “are no time limits for achieving initial Certification” may no longer be applicable. However, any agency in self-assessment will be notified of updates and specific deadline requirements as they are established with consideration of a reasonable time frame for the agency to achieve at least initial Certification.

Award Periods

Certification and Accreditation awards are granted for three-year periods. The month (February, June or October) and year in which the award is granted by the Commission is referred to as the agency’s anniversary date.

To avoid any lapse in status, an agency must successfully complete its on-site assessment and review before the Commission, on or before its anniversary date.

Failure to successfully achieve Re-Certification or Re-Accreditation on or before the agency’s anniversary date, without written approval from the Commission authorizing an extension on the agency’s on-site assessment, will cause the agency’s award status to lapse and change to self-assessment.