Green Apple Accreditation Timeline

Each stage must be completed in order, and accreditation is only granted once all required forms, documentation, and reviews are finalized. If you do not receive the welcome email within 24–48 hours of submitting your application and fees, please check your spam/junk folder or contact our office for assistance.

Application 

• Account creation and application submission
• Cost Estimate & Financial Agreement acknowledgment

Introductory Call

• Introductory Accreditation Call Estimated timeframe: 2–4 weeks
• This call provides an overview of the accreditation process, timelines, and self-study expectations and allows providers to ask initial questions before proceeding.

Visit our website: www.gaacs.org. Click on Login in the top menu. Enter the email address used on your application form and the password you set up. If this is your first time logging in, check your email for a welcome message from the Member Portal. Click the link in the email. Follow the steps to set up your new password. 

Self-Study Phase

• Organization completes self-study and uploads required documentation
• Self-study timeline is established during the Introductory Accreditation Call Maximum timeframe: Up to 10 months (Most organizations complete the self-study within 4–6 months.)

Pre-Site Review (Self-Study Validation)

• Green Apple reviews submitted self-study for readiness
• Review may be conducted virtually or onsite Estimated timeframe: 2–6 weeks following self-study submission

Green Apple understands that some programs may need to move through the process more quickly. An expedited review is available for an additional fee.

When your Self-Study is nearly complete, email our office to request expedited review. Pay the additional expedite fee.

Your Self-Study will be moved forward in the review queue, but please note:

• The file must be complete before review begins.
• If documents are missing or incomplete, the expedited request will be paused until corrected.
• Expedited reviews are still subject to Peer Review Team (PRT) and staff availability.

Timeline:

The Standard process: Up to 10 months.

The Expedited process: Can be significantly shorter, depending on the provider’s readiness and Green Apple scheduling.

Accreditation Review Site Visit

• A Peer Review Team (PRT) is assigned, and a Lead PRT coordinates the visit. 
• The onsite accreditation review will be conducted by the Peer Review Team (PRT)
• Scheduling is based on readiness, reviewer availability, and program type Estimated timeframe: 4–8 weeks after pre-site approval

Final Determination

• Site visit report review and accreditation decision issued
• Estimated timeframe: 4–6 weeks following site visit.
• All reviews are conducted in the order received.