(a) Agencies are eligible to apply for “accreditation.” Persons are eligible to apply for “approval.” Applications for accreditation or approval will be processed in accordance with §§ 96.19 and 96.20.

(b) If an agency or person is reapplying for accreditation or approval following cancellation of its accreditation or approval by an accrediting entity or refusal by an accrediting entity to renew its accreditation or approval, it must comply with the procedures in § 96.78.

(c) If an agency or person that has been accredited or approved is seeking renewal, it must comply with the procedures in § 96.63.

[79 FR 40634, July 14, 2014]

(a) Agencies or persons seeking accreditation or approval for the first time may submit an application at any time, with the required fee(s), to an accrediting entity with jurisdiction to evaluate the application.

(b) The accrediting entity must establish and follow uniform application procedures and must make information about those procedures available to agencies and persons that are considering whether to apply for accreditation or approval. An accrediting entity must evaluate the applicant for accreditation or approval in a timely fashion.

[71 FR 8131, Feb. 15, 2006. Redesignated and amended at 79 FR 40634, July 14, 2014]

(a) An agency that seeks to become accredited must apply to an accrediting entity that is designated to provide accreditation services and that has jurisdiction over its application. A person that seeks to become approved must apply to an accrediting entity that is designated to provide approval services and that has jurisdiction over its application. The agency or person may apply to only one accrediting entity at a time.

(b)(1) If the agency or person is applying for accreditation or approval pursuant to this part for the first time, it may apply to any accrediting entity with jurisdiction over its application. However, the agency or person must apply to the same accrediting entity that handled its prior application when it next applies for accreditation or approval, if the agency or person:

(i) Has been denied accreditation or approval;

(ii) Has withdrawn its application in anticipation of denial;

(iii) Has had its accreditation or approval cancelled by an accrediting entity or the Secretary;

(iv) Has been temporarily debarred by the Secretary; or

(v) Has been refused renewal of its accreditation or approval by an accrediting entity.

(2) If the prior accrediting entity is no longer providing accreditation or approval services, the agency or person may apply to any accrediting entity with jurisdiction over its application.

[71 FR 8131, Feb. 15, 2006. Redesignated at 79 FR 40634, July 14, 2014]