1. The Process of Accreditation
Steps for Initial and Continuing Accreditation

2. Required Materials Guide to Accreditation www.naacls.org

3. Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this instructional unit and review of additional resources, the learner will be able to
List and briefly describe 5 general steps in the NAACLS accreditation process
List four documents that must be submitted to NAACLS before a program applying for initial accreditation can receive “Serious Applicant Status”
Name 2 steps in the accreditation process in which a program can submit a response with additional information
Identify 2 additional levels of accreditation review that occur after the site visit

4. Benefits of Accreditation
Publicly identifies programs that meet nationally established standards of educational quality
Stimulates program improvement by involving faculty and staff in on-going self-evaluation, research, and planning
Promotes a better understanding of the goals of professional education
Provides reasonable assurance that program graduates meet minimum career-entry competencies
Assists specialized programs in achieving their objectives

5. Programs Accredited by NAACLS
Medical laboratory scientist (MLS)
Medical laboratory technician (MLT)
Doctorate in clinical laboratory science (DCLS)
Histotechnologist (HTL)
Histotechnician (HT)
Diagnostic molecular scientist (DMS)
Cytogenetic technologist (CG)
Pathologists' assistant (Path A)

6. The Accreditation Process
Program Self-Evaluation
Process of self-evaluation and analysis by the program
Self-Study (Paper) Review
Peer review of Self-Study Report for completeness and clarity
Site Visit
Site visitors interview & observe to verify compliance with Standards
Review by RCAP or DRC
Review committee analyzes & makes recommendation
Review by NAACLS BOD
NAACLS Board of Directors grants final accreditation award.

7. Eligibility Criteria for Becoming an Accredited Program
The sponsoring institution and affiliates, clinical and/or academic, if any, must be accredited by recognized regional and/or national agencies
Academic institutions sponsoring clinical laboratory science education programs must be empowered by a state authority to grant the appropriate degree
The institution must be legally authorized under applicable state law to provide postsecondary education

8. Initial Application Process
Letter of intent is sent to NAACLS by the sponsoring institution’s CEO
NAACLS sends application packet
Application for Initial Accreditation
Program Official Approve Form

9. Initial Application Process
Sponsoring institution submits
Application for Initial Accreditation
Initial Application Fee
Program Official Approval Form, and program director’s CV
Preliminary Report, with required documentation (3 copies)

10. The Preliminary Report
Program Fact Sheet
Clinical Facility Fact Sheets (for each clinical site)
Faculty Fact Sheets
Summary of the Program
Relationship of administrators & faculty to service & teaching
Description of operational agreements and affiliation agreement tracking tool
Courses to be offered
Summary of financial resources
Summary of instructional resources
Recruitment of students

11. Initial Application Process
NAACLS reviews and approves the Preliminary Report within 2 months of receipt of program information and fees
Program conducts Self-Study and submits 2 copies of the Self-Study Report to NAACLS. Alternatively, the program can download a self-study template from and submit the Self-Study electronically

12. Initial Application Process
NAACLS grants “Serious Applicant Status” after the Self-Study Report is submitted
Students treated as if from accredited program for certification exam eligibility
Status granted no longer than 18 months

13. Initial Accreditation Process
The Self-Study is evaluated by a NAACLS volunteer reviewer
The Self-Study review is forwarded to the program within 2 months
The program submits a response to the Self-Study Review within one month

14. Initial Accreditation Process
Site visit by NAACLS volunteers
Site Visit Report is forwarded to the program within 1.5 months of the site visit
The program submits a response to the Site Visit Report within one month

15. Initial Accreditation Process
Review by RCAP (Review Committee for Accredited Programs) or DRC (Doctoral Review Committee
Review by Board of Directors
BOD Quality Assurance Committee review
Final decision on accreditation by Board

16. Continuing Accreditation Application Process
NAACLS notifies the program 18 months before the end of the current accreditation period
Program submits the Application for Continuing Accreditation
Program conducts Self-Study and submits 2 copies of the Self-Study Report to NAACLS. Alternatively, the program can download a self-study template from and submit the Self-Study electronically

17. Continuing Accreditation Process
The Self-Study is evaluated by a NAACLS volunteer reviewer
The Self-Study review is forwarded to the program within 1-4 months
The program submits a response to the Self-Study Review within one month

18. Continuing Accreditation Process
Approval of site visit team
Site visit by NAACLS volunteers
Site Visit Report is forwarded to the program within 1.5 months of the site visit
The program submits a response to the Site Visit Report within one month

19. Continuing Accreditation Process
Review by RCAP (Review Committee for Accredited Programs) or DRC (Doctoral Review Committee
Review by Board of Directors
BOD Quality Assurance Committee review
Final decision on accreditation by Board

20. Learning Assessment #1
1. Prior to reviewing the Preliminary Report, NAACLS must receive a. The Application for Initial Accreditation b. The Self-Study Report c. Three copies of the Preliminary Report d. All of the above e. a and c are true

21. Learning Assessment #2
2. In the steps to initial accreditation, a program has official “Serious Applicant Status” with NAACLS after the a. letter is intent is received b. application fee is paid c. Preliminary Report has been reviewed and accepted d. Self-Study is received

22. Learning Assessment #3
3. A program may submit additional information and documentation during the accreditation process following the
receipt of the Site Visit Report
RCAP review
QA Committee review
Board of Directors review