Getting started
AAHA accreditation can help you attract job seekers, differentiate your practice, bolster your team’s morale, and put the standards of veterinary excellence into practice. While achieving AAHA accreditation can seem daunting at first, it’s actually a very straightforward process. Learn more about the path to AAHA accreditation below, and reach out to your AAHA Member Experience team for support at any time.
Isn’t AAHA accreditation expensive?
AAHA accreditation is an investment in your practice. The value you’ll receive from accreditation—including improved patient care, client service, and staff satisfaction—will be worth far more than your annual dues. And, contrary to popular belief, meeting the AAHA Standards of Accreditation does not require you to hire more team members or purchase expensive technology.
Check out the video below for more information on the cost of AAHA accreditation.
How many standards does AAHA have?
The AAHA Standards of Accreditation contain more than 900 standards, but only about 50 of them are mandatory; the remaining standards are assessed using a points-based system.
Check out the video below for more information on the AAHA Standards of Accreditation.
Do I have to have credentialed technicians on staff to achieve AAHA accreditation?
While AAHA recognizes the commitment, skills, and knowledge that credentialed technicians provide, employing credentialed technicians is not a requirement for your practice to become accredited.
How will I know if my practice is ready to become accredited?
Answering the questions in the online evaluation tool is one of the best ways to see where your practice stands. The online evaluation tool includes tips and resources, outlines and guides for creating protocols, and automatically adds your points as you go so you can track your progress.
What is the process for becoming accredited?
- To begin the accreditation process and be designated as a “preaccredited practice,” simply contact AAHA’s Member Experience team at 800-252-2242.
- You will be asked to complete the AAHA preaccredited application agreement and pay an initial accreditation evaluation fee of $675. This fee covers the cost of your first onsite evaluation. Your membership dues cover all subsequent evaluation costs (and provide many additional benefits as well).
- Then, your practice will be provided with a complimentary team membership, valid for up to six months or until the date of your evaluation, whichever comes first. You can begin working through your online evaluation tool.
- You will also be assigned a dedicated accreditation specialist and a dedicated practice consultant, who will support you and your team throughout the accreditation process and act as a resource for any questions you may have.
- Your accreditation specialist will work with you and your practice consultant to schedule your first evaluation.
Can I review AAHA’s Standards of Accreditation or access the evaluation tool without becoming an AAHA member?
The AAHA Standards of Accreditation are copyrighted and exclusively available to AAHA-accredited and preaccredited members.
If you aren’t currently an AAHA member but are interested in pursuing AAHA accreditation, we can grant you access to AAHA's online evaluation tool; just reach out to us at practice.accreditation@aaha.org. The online evaluation tool has additional tips and resources to help you get started, and is the best way to see how your practice compares to AAHA’s standards.
Request access to online evaluation
Can I schedule a courtesy walkthrough of my practice with a practice consultant?
Yes! Courtesy visits are a great opportunity to ask your practice consultant for guidance on how to successfully meet AAHA’s standards and to begin working on the process of becoming accredited. These visits are offered with no strings attached and at no charge.
Request a courtesy visit
What’s the timeframe for scheduling my first evaluation?
We will work with you to determine a timeframe based on when you believe you’ll be ready for your first evaluation (typically three to four months). We will make every effort to work with you and accommodate your goals for becoming accredited.
I am building a new practice. What AAHA standards should I reference?
The AAHA Standards of Accreditation include a number of structural standards that are helpful to reference when building a new practice. Please contact us to request these structural standards.
You can also check out Practical Guide to Veterinary Hospital Design: From Renovations to New Builds, a comprehensive, easy-to-follow guide to planning, designing, and building a successful hospital.
Does AAHA review blueprints for new practices?
Absolutely! AAHA practice consultants offer free blueprint reviews. AAHA practice consultants visit more than 100 practices every year and see a wide variety of facilities, so they can often point out things you may want to consider before your plans are finalized.
Please contact us to learn more about blueprint reviews. Or bring your blueprint to the AAHA booth at a national veterinary conference and request a review!
How long does my practice need to be open for business before I can apply for AAHA accreditation?
AAHA recommends that your practice be open for at least three months before you pursue AAHA accreditation, but there is no minimum requirement. However, you will need to ensure that you have a sufficient number of patients, medical records, and diagnostics in order for your practice consultant to perform a thorough evaluation.
What happens if I don’t initially achieve accreditation?
Not to worry. If you are unable to achieve AAHA accreditation after your initial evaluation, your practice consultant will convert that visit into a “courtesy walkthrough,” and you won’t be penalized.
Your consultant will review any adjustments that you may need to make in order to achieve accreditation during your next visit. We will then work with you to reschedule your formal evaluation once you’ve had a chance to put your consultant’s recommendations into effect.