Application Process

Email us if you want to apply for Stellar certification!

To achieve Stellar certification, health-care facilities must pass a rigorous review process. The certification period is four years, with interim feedback calls in years 2 and 3. Re-certification is available in year 4.

The journey to Stellar certification

• Eligibility criteria: Before you begin, ensure that your health-care facility meets the eligibility criteria. LTC homes must pass the three eligibility criteria and be willing to self-report potential violations. The eligibility criteria for acute care facilities will be available soon.
• Self-assessment: The self-assessment is completely for your benefit and does not need to be shared with the Stellar program. The self-assessment for LTC homes is available now; the self-assessment for acute care will be available soon.
• Fee payment: After the applicant pays the fee for Stellar certification, they will receive a copy of the program’s Standards and Submission Requirements and have access to a workbook to collect evidence that will be submitted for evaluation.
• Workbook completion: The applicant has six months to complete the workbook and collect supporting documents for submission to the Stellar Certification Program. (Extensions are available, but late fees may apply.)
• Workbook submission: After the applicant has submitted the workbook and documents to the Stellar Certification Program, the applicant will receive confirmation within 5-10 business days that everything is in order and the evaluation will begin.
• Workbook evaluation: The Stellar Certification Program will complete its formal evaluation process. The evaluation will take one month.
• Survey: Health-care facilities that pass the workbook evaluation will enter the email survey phase.
• Adjudication committee review: The Stellar Certification Program will review all the collected evidence and the results of the survey to determine if the facility will be awarded Stellar certification. Three levels of certification are available.
• Stellar certification awarded: Congratulations! If your health-care facility has achieved Stellar certification, you will receive national recognition and validation of your commitment to workplace excellence and mention in CNA social media