Doctor holding a clipboard in a hospital corridor.

Transfer from another Certification Body

Certificate Transfer to AACI 

The transfer of a valid certification from another certification body (CB) to AACI requires a positive outcome from a formal pre-transfer review. This review is conducted to ensure the integrity, validity, and continuity of the existing certification.

Components of the Pre-Transfer Review

The review consists of:

  • A documentation and records review, and

  • Typically, a site visit to the client’s premises

The primary objective of this review is to verify that:

  • The client holds a valid, active certificate issued by another accredited certification body

  • All scheduled audits under the current certification cycle have been conducted and appropriately followed up

  • The organization remains in good standing with no unresolved compliance issues

Timing of the Review

Ideally, the pre-transfer review is conducted in conjunction with the next scheduled surveillance or recertification audit. However, it may also be performed off-cycle, at the client’s request. The audit content will correspond with the applicable procedures for Periodic Surveillance Audits or Recertification Audits.

Pre-Transfer Review Criteria

AACI will conduct the review, verifying at a minimum:

  1. That the client’s activities fall within AACI’s accredited scope

  2. The reason for requesting the transfer, ensuring that:

    • Certificates that have been suspended or withdrawn are not eligible for transfer

  3. The validity and status of the existing certificate, including:

    • Authenticity, current duration, scope of certification, and site coverage

    • Adequacy of the previous certification body’s sampling procedures (if applicable)

    • Availability of audit reports and records, going back to the last initial or recertification audit

Important: If audit records are unavailable or if a periodic audit is overdue, the client will not be eligible for certificate transfer. In such cases, a full initial certification audit will be required.

  1. The status of nonconformities:

    • All previously identified nonconformities must be closed, preferably by the issuing certification body before AACI issues a new certificate

    • Special attention will be given to the effectiveness of corrective actions, especially for major nonconformities

    • Where feasible, the Lead Auditor should verify the status of nonconformities directly with the previous certification body. If this is not possible, the reason must be documented in the pre-transfer report

  2. Any complaints received and the actions taken to address them

  3. The current stage in the certification cycle

  4. Compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, including any ongoing involvement with regulatory agencies

This structured pre-transfer review ensures that AACI upholds the integrity of its certification processes while offering a smooth and compliant transition for eligible clients.