The Accreditation Process
Accreditation Process and Resources to Help You Prepare for Your Inspection
Be confident from application to accreditation as we provide the roadmap, tools, and support your laboratory needs to understand and successfully complete each step on your accreditation journey.
Accreditation Process and Timelines
*International laboratories must be enrolled in CAP external quality assurance (EQA)/proficiency testing for a minimum of six (6) months before requesting an application.
**Initial inspections will be scheduled with laboratory staff. Thereafter, the laboratory director and accreditation contact will be notified up to 14 days prior to scheduled inspection dates. All inspections are performed within the 90-day period preceding the anniversary date.
Application Fee and Accreditation Pricing
We require a one-time application fee which provides access to the online application, master checklists, and accreditation resources in ELSS. Once we understand the breadth and complexity of your laboratory, we’ll provide the customized checklists to be used for your initial inspection. The application fee starts the application process and must be paid when submitting the Accreditation Program Application Request form.
The CAP’s annual accreditation fee is all inclusive and invoiced one month after your initial onsite inspection. Thereafter, the annual accreditation fee is invoiced one month prior to the laboratory’s anniversary date. There are no additional charges during inspection years, making it easier to budget your annual expenditures. The annual fee is determined based on the laboratory’s size and complexity.
Ready to Apply?
The CAP has a two-step application process:
- Submit the Accreditation Request for Application form with the application fee per the instructions on the form.
- Once your request form has been processed, you will receive an email with a link to the online Organizational Profile which is the accreditation application. You will be asked to provide information about your laboratory including demographic data, personnel, laboratory sections/departments and activities, test volumes, and other key information.
If you are applying for multiple accreditation programs, CLIA/CAP numbers, satellite laboratories, clinics, or special-function laboratories, please submit a separate Accreditation Program Application Request form and fee for each laboratory/facility or each accreditation program.
Tools and Resources to Help You Prepare
Once you apply for CAP accreditation, you’ll unlock the collection of accreditation resources in our customer portal, e-LAB Solutions Suite (ELSS), including:
- Online, modular Inspection Preparation Course: Getting Ready for Your First Inspection
- Inspection preparation worksheet, guidelines, and other templates
- Answers to our most common checklist questions
- Recordings of Focus on Compliance Webinars
We have an extended team of specialists who can answer all your detailed questions—from your initial application to inspection logistics, specific inspection questions, or compliance advice. Additionally, we offer a complimentary onboarding call tailored to your specific questions and concerns.
For specific checklist and compliance questions, we have a team of highly trained medical technologists available to answer questions via phone or email at accred@cap.org. In addition, there are fully searchable checklist Q&A’s for our most common questions within our customer portal, ELSS.
The CAP Guide to Accreditation highlights the accreditation process, director responsibilities, key documents and processes, plus more.
Download the CAP Guide to Accreditation (PDF)
Applying for Accreditation
Initiate the Accreditation Application Process
Visit the CAP15189 program page to apply for this program.
Payment Information
A non-refundable application fee of $1200 (domestic*) and $1500 (international) is required per laboratory/facility to initiate the application process. If you are applying for multiple accreditation programs, CLIA/CAP numbers, satellites, clinics, or special-functions laboratories, please submit a separate Application Request Form and fee for each program being accredited.
Payment Options
- Check
- Credit Card
- Wire Transfer: include Institution Name and state; “Accreditation Application fee” when remitting payment. Please include all bank fees with your payment. Notify the CAP at arcap@cap.org upon completion of transfer. Remit wire transfer payment to:
BMO Harris Bank
311 West Monroe Street Chicago, IL 60606, USA
Phone: 312-461-2121
ABA Number:071000288 SWIFT#HATRUS44
Request a Price Quote
Submit the fee estimate form and one of our accreditation specialists will contact you about cost and next steps to become CAP accredited.
Be Prepared
Give your laboratory its best opportunity to be prepared with our on-site readiness assessment program.
What to Expect After an Application Request is Processed
CAP Accreditation Programs
View our accreditation programs.