Process Overview

Organizations interested in knowing if they qualify for accreditation or certification must complete the Application form.

An Applicant Agreement document and a Sentinel Events document must both be signed by the applicant and submitted via email or the “Log an Application” portal.

A financial statement to verify your organization’s revenue must also be submitted. Examples of a suitable financial statement include a signed attestation from your accountant or CFO, a tax return or an annual report. Organizations that state they are at the highest revenue level do not need to submit this document for validation.

Both first time applicants and re-accreditation candidates will follow the same process for achieving accreditation.  The accreditation cycle is for 2 years.  The previous accreditation ceases to exist when a new accreditation takes effect.  Once an accreditation ballot takes place the organization begins a new accreditation cycle based on the criteria that was reviewed during that accreditation period.

Summary of the Accreditation Process

1. Application Process:
   1. Complete the electronic Application.
   2. A clarification letter is emailed to gather or confirm any required information.
   3. A detailed letter is emailed to the organization with the instructions for the remaining steps of the application process.
   4. Email or Log into the “Log an Application” portal and upload the signed Applicant Agreement, Sentinel Events document, and revenue verification in PDF format.
   5. Make payment of applicable application fees [Annual Fee, Multiple Program & Site Visit Fee(s)].
2. Upon completion of the Application Process and approval, the Self-Assessment zip file will be made available to the organization, the Assessor will be assigned and the organization will be added to the Accredited Organizations page of the website as a Candidate.
3. Submit complete self-assessment via the documents portal 4 months prior to the expiration date.  New applicants can submit the self-assessment as soon as it is completed before the due date.
4. If the self-assessment contains sufficient satisfactory information and documentation a site visit(s) will be scheduled to verify the information contained in the self-assessment.  If the assigned Assessor has questions or determines that the submission is incomplete, they may request that the self-assessment be resubmitted before a date is set for the site visit(s).
5. Site visits are completed, and the Assessor completes the draft Accreditation Report.
6. The draft Accreditation Report is reviewed and refined through in internal QA Process.
7. If applicable, make payment of the site visit travel expense fees.
8. Applicant organization approves draft accreditation Report.
9. The Commission reviews and votes on the Accreditation Report.
10. The organization will be informed whether the accreditation has been approved or denied.
11. Upon approval of accreditation/certification and payment of all fees the organization’s status is changed to Accredited on the  Accredited Organizations page.

Accreditation is awarded based upon its review of the organization for that specific “point in time” that the accreditation process occurred.  DirectTrust is not responsible for any changes in policies, procedures or controls, processes or access that may occur subsequently in which it has no visibility or is unaware.  It is the organization’s responsibility to report significant changes to us through our Sentinel Events policy.

Re-Accreditation:

Occurs every two years from the date the candidate is accredited and is the same process which is followed for Accreditation. (see Accreditation Process above).  This includes submitting an application and satisfactorily completing the application process and is based upon information disclosed in which the pricing and/or number of physical site reviews may be revised accordingly.

Midterm Accreditation:

DirectTrust offers an optional Midterm Accreditation review.  While standard reviews (“Full Accreditations”) are biennial (2-year), the optional Midterm reviews occur in intervening years. When Midterm reviews are conducted, their expiration date will always be the same as the Full Accreditation expiration date. This includes notifying DirectTrust of intent to pursue a Midterm review and payment of appropriate fees.