Once the Board of Directors makes the final determination on the laboratory's application, the IAC notifies the laboratory via a personalized notification letter. Sent to the Medical and Technical Directors, the notification letter is tailored specifically to explain the accreditation decision and, if required, to request any additional documentation to further support adherence to the Standards.
Below are the specific accreditation decisions rendered by the Board, as well as guidelines for interpreting the notification letter.
Grant
Laboratories found to be in substantial compliance with the Standards are granted accreditation for a period of three years. Each newly accredited laboratory receives a notification letter, accompanied by an accreditation portfolio containing the certificate(s) bearing the laboratory's name and area(s) of testing granted; additionally included are tools to assist the laboratory in promoting the achievement including a press release and a CD containing the official seal of accreditation. The notification letter describes the contents of the accreditation portfolio, explains proper usage of the seal of accreditation, lists staff contact information and advises the laboratory of its responsibility to notify the IAC of changes in laboratory operation that take place during the accreditation period.
Delay
A laboratory whose accreditation is delayed receives a notification letter outlining the deficiencies identified during the application review and/or site visit/audit and the additional information requested by the Board to grant accreditation.
Upon receiving a delayed accreditation decision, the laboratory will:
- Have one year to provide the additionally requested documentation demonstrating adherence to the Standards as outlined in the accreditation notification letter;
- Be permitted to submit one set of delay material to the IAC free of charge;
- Be assessed a $200 review fee if, after providing the first submission of additional material, the laboratory still has not demonstrated compliance and further information is required;
- Have a maximum of three delay material submissions to demonstrate compliance;
- If continued noncompliance is documented after review of the three submissions, the application will be denied and the laboratory will be required to resubmit a complete accreditation application and application fees.
- The additional delay material is typically reviewed within four weeks after receipt by the IAC. Laboratories are then notified of the findings of the delay material review.
- If granted accreditation, the accreditation portfolio is sent.
- Laboratories can be granted accreditation in some testing areas while delayed in others. A detailed notification letter will include certificate(s) for those areas granted accreditation and details regarding the delay of any other section(s).
Site Visit
The Board of Directors may determine that a site visit is required in order to better assess the laboratory and determine the final accreditation decision. The site visit notification letter informs the laboratory that a site visit is necessary and provides instructions for arranging the visit.
Deny No application for accreditation will ever be initially denied; laboratories first receive a notification of a delay or a site visit. A notification of denial may be sent if a laboratory fails three times to demonstrate substantial compliance to the Standards. |
