Maintenance of Currency (MOC)
ASF Surveyor certification is a continuously maintained professional standard, not a one-time award. The Maintenance of Currency framework ensures that every certified surveyor remains active, current, and competent throughout their career with ASF.
Why Maintenance of Currency Matters
Healthcare accreditation standards evolve continuously. New evidence on patient safety, infection prevention, clinical governance, and equitable access shapes how standards are written and interpreted. A surveyor who completed their certification five years ago and has not participated in surveys, engaged with CPD, or sat a re-certification examination may be applying an outdated lens to current facilities — and doing so with the credibility of an ASF credential behind them.
The MOC framework exists to protect the integrity of ASF’s accreditation decisions, the reputation of certified surveyors, and ultimately the safety of patients in facilities assessed by the ASF programme. It is modelled on the currency requirements of leading accreditation organisations worldwide, including Accreditation Canada and the Joint Commission International, and is designed to meet ISQua EEA Track C standards for surveyor training programme accreditation.
Annual Requirements
Every certified ASF Surveyor must complete the following each calendar year to remain on the ASF Active Surveyor Register:
| Requirement | Minimum Standard | How to Demonstrate | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survey Participation | Minimum 1 ASF accreditation survey per calendar year (full five-day survey cycle) | Automatic — survey participation is recorded by ASF Training Coordinator on confirmation of post-survey report submission | 31 December each year |
| Continuing Professional Development (CPD) | Minimum 10 hours of relevant CPD per calendar year | CPD log submitted via GMJ Academy surveyor portal; examples of qualifying activities listed below | 31 January of the following year |
| Annual Declaration | Signed statement confirming: continued professional practise in healthcare, absence of conflicts of interest, compliance with ASF Code of Conduct | Electronic signature on ASF Annual Declaration form (sent by ASF by 15 December each year) | 31 January of the following year |
- Attendance at accreditation, quality improvement, or patient safety conferences (national or international)
- Completion of accreditation-related online learning modules (GMJ Academy or other recognised providers)
- Participation in ASF standards review or development workshops
- Authoring or peer reviewing accreditation-related publications or guidance documents
- Mentoring or teaching in healthcare quality or accreditation contexts
- Attending ASF Surveyor Network webinars or case discussion sessions (held quarterly)
- Relevant postgraduate academic study (accredited modules or programmes)
CPD activities do not need to be pre-approved by ASF. Surveyors maintain their own CPD log and submit it annually through the GMJ Academy portal. ASF may audit logs on a sample basis.
Three-Year Re-Certification
In addition to annual requirements, all certified ASF Surveyors must complete formal re-certification every three years from the date of initial certification. Re-certification consists of:
Three-Year Re-Certification Components
1. Standards Update Module — An online module delivered through GMJ Academy covering changes to ASF standards, methodology updates, and lessons from the global accreditation field since the previous certification cycle. Estimated 8–10 hours. Available from Q4 of the third year.
2. Re-Certification Examination — A written and scenario-based examination equivalent in structure to the original Surveyor Certification Examination. Covers all twelve competency domains of the ASF Surveyor Competency Framework. Available in four languages. Minimum pass score: 70%.
Re-certification examinations are scheduled twice per year (spring and autumn). Surveyors are notified by the ASF Training Coordinator 12 months in advance of their re-certification due date and again at three months. Failure to complete re-certification by the due date results in credential suspension pending completion.
The ASF Active Surveyor Register
The ASF Active Surveyor Register is the definitive list of individuals currently certified and in good standing as ASF Surveyors. It is maintained by the ASF Secretariat and is available for verification by healthcare facilities, national health bodies, and accreditation programme partners on request.
Register Status Categories
- Active — All annual and re-certification requirements met; available for survey assignment
- On Approved Leave — Annual requirements waived for a defined period by ASF Training Committee (e.g. extended illness, parental leave, significant life event); credential preserved
- Suspended — Annual requirements not met or re-certification not completed; credential temporarily inactive; re-entry pathway applies
- Lapsed — Credential has been inactive for 12 months or more; full or partial re-certification required depending on lapse duration
- Retired — Surveyor has formally notified ASF of retirement from active practice; credential marked as retired (may be reinstated if surveyor wishes to return)
Lapsed Credential Pathway
Surveyors whose credentials lapse — whether through non-completion of annual requirements or through extended inactivity — have a structured re-entry pathway. The requirements depend on how long the credential has been inactive:
- Complete outstanding CPD hours to meet the annual minimum
- Submit an updated Annual Declaration
- Participate in one supervised survey with post-survey feedback (not formally assessed)
- Complete the Standards Update Online Module
- Sit and pass the Re-Certification Examination
- Participate in one supervised survey with formal Mentor Assessment
- Full re-entry through the SRV-02 Classroom Training (may apply for RPL assessment to skip SRV-01)
- SRV-03 Internship
- Surveyor Certification Examination