ASF Certification — The Entry Pathway
Certification is the accessible on-ramp to the ASF quality system. Same tool, same criteria, lighter thresholds, local decision, fast timeline — and a formal stepping stone to full international accreditation.
What Certification Is
ASF Certification is a locally-issued, locally-recognised quality certificate based on the same ASF self-assessment tool and the same criteria as full accreditation — but focused on the Non-Negotiable and Core criteria only, issued by the local NAP partner, and valid in the local market.
It is not a lesser version of accreditation. It is the right recognition for a facility at the beginning of its quality improvement journey. And it is formal — the certificate is real, the registry listing is real, and the progression toward full accreditation is documented from day one.
How It Works
| Step | What happens | Who | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Self-assessment completed using the ASF tool. No account needed. | Anyone at the facility | Days |
| 2 | Certification application submitted to local NAP. Director signs simplified declaration. | Director + Coordinator | 1 day |
| 3 | NAP Coordinator reviews: Non-Negotiable all met? Core ≥70%? Evidence stated for each YES? | NAP Coordinator | 3–5 days |
| 4 | Local site visit by NAP-certified Monitor. Half-day. 100% Non-Negotiable + 30% Core sampled. | NAP Monitor | Half day |
| 5 | NAP certification decision. Pass: certificate within 5 working days. | NAP | 5 days |
| 6 | Certificate issued. Silver badge — co-branded NAP and ASF. Listed on local registry and ASF global registry. | NAP + ASF | 1 day |
| 7 | 12-month certification period. Facility begins quarterly cycle toward full accreditation. | Facility + Coordinator | 12 months |
The Threshold Difference
| Requirement | ASF Certification | ASF Accreditation |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Negotiable criteria | 100% met | 100% met |
| Core criteria | ≥70% met | ≥85% met |
| Standard criteria | No threshold | ≥70% met |
| Quarterly submissions | Not required | 4 per year |
| Decision body | Local NAP | ASF ADC |
| Timeline | Weeks to months | 12–24 months |
| Badge | Silver | Gold |
The Stepping Stone
The 12-month certification period equals Q1–Q4 of the accreditation cycle. A facility that completes certification is not starting from zero when it applies for accreditation — its certification history is recognised by the ADC. The same self-assessment tool serves both pathways. The same criteria. The same quality improvement journey, at a pace that matches the facility’s capacity.
Available In Countries With a Local NAP
Certification requires a National Adaptation Partner in the facility’s country. Currently available:
- Georgia: Public Health Institute of Georgia (PHIG) — SheniEkimi Certification at certificate.ge
Is your country not listed? Learn about becoming a NAP partner →
