Following is the typical process that an organization will go through when applying for accreditation by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA):
- Letter of Intent
Organizations wishing to apply for NCCA accreditation should submit a letter of intent approximately 90 days prior to submitting the application.Application deadlines occur three times throughout the year:
- January 31
- April 30
- September 30
There is no specific format for the letter of intent; it should include the name of the organization and program(s) for which you are submitting an application. Letters of intent should be directed to:
Jim Kendzel, Executive Director
NOCA
2025 M Street, NW
Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036
- Application Fee
When submitting your accreditation application, please include full payment for the application. The application fees are as follows:
| NOCA Member, organization with no currently accredited programs |
$1,000/submission |
| Non-member, organization with no currently accredited programs |
$1,600/submission |
| Organization with accredited programs |
$200/submission |
| Accreditation renewal application |
$0 |
- Application Format
You must submit 3 hard copies of the application and ALL exhibits. Please note: you must submit a separate application for each program that you are applying for. If you are submitting applications for more than one program, exhibits that are common to all programs (such as bylaws, for example) may be submitted in a single document. In addition to the three hard copies, you must also submit 10 CD’s containing the application and appendices in a single, bookmarked pdf.
If you are unable to create a bookmarked pdf, there are companies that can provide these services for you. Or, you can submit a 4th hard copy binder to NCCA which will scan and bookmark your application and appendices for an administrative fee of $250 for every 500 pages (i.e. 1-500 pages are $250, 501-1000 pages are $500, etc).
- Application Review
Once NCCA has received all applications for a given deadline, they are assigned and sent to the NCCA Commissioners to review. The Commissioners usually have approximately 1-3 months to review the applications before they meet in person to discuss an accreditation decision; some of the accreditation review process may take place by telephone conference call. Applicants receive their official notification letter approximately 45 days following the meeting at which their application was discussed.
- Accreditation Decisions
There are three possible accreditation decisions that can be made: accreditation, deferral, or denial.
- Accreditation
Applicants who have documented compliance with all of the NCCA Standards receive accreditation of their program(s). Accreditation is generally granted for a period of 5 years; one exception is for programs offered by an organization with other accredited programs, in which case, the accreditation period will coincide with the previously accredited program.
- Deferral
Applicants who have not provided complete documentation of compliance with all of the NCCA Standards may receive a deferral decision. A deferral is normally granted when the information provided by the applicant suggests that the program may be in compliance, but the documentation is incomplete or lacking in clarity, typically for a limited number of Standards. Applicants in a deferral status typically have approximately 2 months to prepare their response. They are required to submit additional information only for those Standards for which the Commissioners could not determine compliance and that were outlined in their official notification letter. All deferral responses will be reviewed during the next Commission meeting, and applicants will be notified of an accreditation decision approximately 45 days following the meeting. Simply responding to the deferral decision does not imply that accreditation will be granted; documentation of compliance with the Standards must be provided.
- Denial
The Commission will not take any further action on an application that has been denied. The applicant will receive, at a minimum, a listing of the Standards for which documentation of compliance was not found; generally no additional information is provided, since the Commission is not permitted to provide consultation services.If the applicant wishes to apply for accreditation again, they must submit a new application and appendices following the submission guidelines. NCCA recommends that applicants who receive a denial seek input from qualified experts in administrative and psychometric aspects of a certification program prior to submitting a new application. Applicants must also submit a new accreditation application fee.
- Annual Reports
The NCCA requires that each accredited organization/program complete an annual report form each year to enable the NCCA to monitor continuing compliance with NCCA Standards. The annual report form is required to maintain accreditation for several reasons, including:
- To document compliance with NCCA Standard 21.
- To keep organizations with NCCA accredited programs continually aware of the NCCA Standards.
- To provide organizations the opportunity to receive feedback on any changes that may affect their accreditation status, and receive suggested actions to take to maintain compliance with NCCA Standards.
- In limited situations, the annual report may provide data leading to revocation of NCCA accreditation, if after NCCA review of an organization’s annual report and communication with the certification program, the certification program then fails to respond or its response demonstrates intended lack of compliance with NCCA Standards.
The annual report form is submitted to NCCA electronically as a single, bookmarked pdf. The annual report forms are sent in April and are due back to the NCCA by June 1st.
- Annual Accreditation Fee
Organizations with accredited programs must pay a yearly accreditation fee. The fee schedule is as follows:
| Organization with up to two accredited programs |
$3,500/year |
| Each additional accredited program |
$700/year |
| Maximum accreditation fee |
$7,000/year |
The accreditation fee includes membership in the National Organization for Competency Assurance.
- Renewal Applications
Applicants who receive accreditation of their program(s) are generally accredited for a period of 5 years. When their accreditation is set to expire, they are required to submit a renewal application. The renewal is the same as the initial application—applicants must submit a full application and exhibits provided in hard copy and on CD.The review process is the same for renewal applications. Please note: renewal applications do not pay an application fee.
- Complaints against NCCA Accredited Programs
- The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) will accept and process complaints pertaining to violations of its Standards for Accreditation and/or its policies and procedures in accordance with Disciplinary Policy & Procedures.
- Complaints must be in writing and provide details, with appropriate supporting documentation if possible, of how a particular standard, policy or procedure is being or was violated by an accredited certification program. The complainant's name and the content of the complaint shall remain confidential, unless legal requirements mandate disclosure or the complainant otherwise authorizes disclosure.
- Please submit complaints to:
Jim Kendzel, Executive Director
NOCA
2025 M Street, NW
Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036