Step to earning accreditation
How do we apply for accreditation?
First, request an application package from the AAALAC International office or download one from this Web site.
The application package includes:
- A one-page application form. Be sure to provide all requested information.
- An outline that will guide you through the process of preparing your "Program Description." This is the key document used by the Council on Accreditation to evaluate your animal care and use program. The outline contains instructions for formatting, typing and mailing, plus a complete list of all of the information you need to include.
- Background materials on AAALAC and the accreditation process. (Be sure to review the "Rules of Accreditation" to make sure that your institution is eligible.)
- A copy of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (NRC 1996), the main reference used by the Council to evaluate animal care and use programs.
- International guidelines and a list of additional resources that the Council will use to assess your program.
What should we include in our Program Description?
Your Program Description will include detailed information on your institution's:
- Animal care and use policies and responsibilities.
- Animal environment, housing and management.
- Veterinary medical care.
- Physical plant.
The Program Description outline will take you through the process of preparing this information. The process of conducting this internal review will help your institution identify and address weaknesses, resulting in improved animal well-being and better science.
What happens after we submit our application package?
You'll receive confirmation from the AAALAC International office that your Program Description has been received. Next, your application undergoes an administrative review to make sure your program meets the criteria listed in the Rules of Accreditation. You will also be asked to submit an application fee which is based on the size of your animal facility.
Next, a site-visit team, made up of two or more AAALAC representatives, is assigned to review your institution's animal care and use program. The AAALAC office will give you the names of the site-visit team members. An AAALAC Council member will contact you to schedule the visit.
What can we expect during the site visit?
Your site visit will start with an "in-briefing," during which time members from your institution meet with the site-visit team to discuss the accreditation process. (At this point, the team has thoroughly reviewed your application package.)
After the in-briefing, the site-visit team will sit down with a smaller group from your institution to go over your Program Description page-by-page. This gives the team members an opportunity to ask specific questions or request additional documents.
Next, you will take the team on a tour of your facility. Typically, members of the IACUC (the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee)/Ethics Committee/Animal Care Committee are invited to join you at some point to discuss the committee's activities and other issues pertinent to your institution. After the tour, the team may ask you for additional information on specific protocols or procedures.
The site-visit team will then meet (alone) to hold an "executive session." During this session, they discuss key observations and information they want to share with you right away.
Finally, an exit briefing is held for all members of your institution who want to attend. During the briefing, the team shares their key findings and what they intend to recommend to the Council regarding your accreditation status. After the visit, they will document their findings and recommendations in an official site-visit report.
What happens after the site visit?
The Council on Accreditation makes all final decisions regarding accreditation. The Council meets three times a year (January, May and September), so your application and site-visit report will be considered during the first Council meeting that follows your visit. Before the meeting, at least four other Council members will review and comment on your institution's Program Description and the site-visit team's report.
During the Council's deliberations, the Council member who visited your institution will act as your advocate, describing your program and sharing observations. Based on the discussion that follows, a letter is drafted that explains your accreditation status. After the Council meeting, the letter is individually reviewed, edited and approved by members of the Council and AAALAC staff. You should receive official notification of your accreditation within four to eight weeks after the Council meeting.
How do we maintain accreditation?
If your institution is awarded accreditation by AAALAC International, you will need to submit an "annual report" every year. The update provides current personnel information, and explains any changes made to your animal care and use program during the previous 12 months. To maintain accreditation, subsequent site visits are held every three years and follow the same process described above.
What if we have more questions?
If you have additional questions about the accreditation process, your application package, your accreditation status, or specific questions related to your program, don't hesitate to contact the AAALAC International office or the Council member who led your site visit. AAALAC and its Council members are always available to help you achieve and maintain excellence in your animal care and use program—so be sure to call on these resources!
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