Step by Step Process

Interested Organization (IO) contacts GAACS to inquire about the industry specific accreditation standards and procedures applicable. The IO submits initial Application and Nonrefundable fee. Upon receipt of application, nonrefundable fee, and supporting documentation, GAACS will review and approve the application package. A notice of Candidate Member Status and access to the My GAACS Account is issued.

Candidate Member participates in Accreditation Orientation. Candidate member designates staff member to put together the Accreditation File, and communicate with assigned GAACS Consultant. Candidate Member reviews the Accreditation Standards Manual, completes the Self Study Evaluation, and gathers supporting documentation for submission to the My GAACS Account.Upon receipt of the Self Study Evidence, GAACS will within 14 days send written notification of approval to proceed to the Request Site Visit Inspection.

Upon receipt of IO’s On-site Visit Request Form and nonrefundable fee, GAACS schedules the onsite visit. An onsite visit is conducted at the IO site(s). The visiting committee makes a written report and recommendation to GAACS whether to 1) approve, 2) deny, or 3) defer accreditation pending further review. The site visit is conducted in accordance with the What to Expect During the On- site Validation Inspection

GAACS reviews the Visiting Committee’s recommendations, response(s) from the candidate member organization (if any), and Self Study Evidence and makes the final decision to grant, defer, or deny accreditation.

To maintain accreditation, the Accredited Program must submit an annual report and applicable nonrefundable fee no later than June 30th every year with exception to the year of initial accreditation/re-accreditation. See Program Annual Report.

Within six months before expiration date of the current accreditation, GAACS accredited programs must re-apply for accreditation in accordance with the most recent Accreditation Process. See New/Renewal Application Forms. 

As with traditional program accreditation, corporate system accreditation requires a Step by Step Process.

The first step is for the corporate system to submit the Corporate Application, a Letter, and pay the nonrefundable fees.

Upon application acceptance, the Corporate System participates in Accreditation Orientation, begins to submit Self Study Evidence through the My GAACS Account, and requests corporate visit. 

GAACS shall conduct on-site initial review of the Corporate Office. The corporate system site locations will be scheduled for on-site visits upon completion of the Self Study. 

GAACS reviews the Visiting Committee’s  recommendations, response(s) from the candidate member organization (if  any), and Self Study Evidence and makes the final decision to grant,  defer, or deny accreditation.

Continual  accreditation-To maintain accreditation, the Accredited Program must  submit an annual report and applicable nonrefundable fee no later than  June 30th every year with exception to the year of initial  accreditation/re-accreditation. 

Re-accreditation-Within six months before expiration date of the  current accreditation, GAACS accredited programs must re-apply for  accreditation in accordance with the most recent Accreditation Process.