Guideline to Accreditation - Ten Easy Steps to Accreditation
Click here for the application form. The following steps will help you complete your application.
Step One:
To begin the accreditation process you must check off the principles of the Core Definition of a Chamber of Commerce/Board of Trade which apply to your chamber. Please note that all chambers must meet the 19 core principals before proceeding with the application process.
Step Two:
Denote the size of your chamber according to the size categories outlined by Chamber Accreditation Council of Canada (CACC).
Step Three:
Choose your accreditation status: accreditation (3 pillar) or accreditation with distinction (5 pillar).
Step Four:
Select the appropriate application form, which includes a checklist according to both the type of accreditation you are seeking and the size of your chamber.
Step Five:
Print out the application form and checklist. The said checklist explains what is to be included in your application. The format CACC accepts is an organized tabbed binder labeled according to the sections outlined on the checklist.
How to create your Accreditation Binders
- Tab the binder according to the number of Pillars, ie. Tab One is Pillar One etc.
- Within the tabs you should have sections clearly labeled. For example Pillar 1, Section 1 would be
labeled P1.1, all codes for labeling are located in the left hand column of your checklist. - Make sure you fill out and include your checklist within your accreditation binder.
Step Six:
Submit the completed application form, checklist and application binder with required documents to your provincial/territorial/regional chamber by the bi‐annual deadlines set by CACC - 2nd Wednesdays in April and September. The deadline is outlined on the application form.
Step Seven:
The provincial/territorial/regional representative will provide feedback on your application at this point as necessary.
Step Eight:
The CACC meets in June and November to review all new accreditations (renewals are also done at the CACC’s November meeting) and will then grant accreditations to those chambers that have met the requirements of either the accreditation or accreditation with distinction pillars and adhere to the Core Definition of a Chamber of Commerce/Board of Trade.
Step Nine:
You will be notified immediately following the CACC meeting regarding the status of your application. Chambers that receive accreditation will be recognized before their peers at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s annual general meeting. Accredited Chambers will also be able to use the designation “Accredited Chamber of Commerce” and the Accreditation logo in chamber materials.
Step Ten:
Chambers that receive accreditation will be subject to periodic updates of their designation. This could include verification or furthering of their status of accreditation. The update procedure is subject to an accreditation fee.
If you require assistance, please contact your provincial, regional, or territorial chamber of commerce (you can find this contact information under “Accreditation Help”)
