10A NCAC 48C .0205      APPLYING FOR ACCREDITATION

(a)  Each LHD shall apply for accreditation by completing a self-assessment in the Dashboard in accordance with Rule .0201 of this Section.

(b)  If an LHD has an accreditation status of accredited or conditionally accredited, the LHD shall complete the self-assessment no later than five months before the expiration date of its accreditation status.

(c)  If a county health department joins a district health department pursuant to G.S. 130A-36, the accreditation status of the district health department shall apply. If the district health department does not have an accreditation status, the district health department shall complete the self-assessment no later than five months after forming and shall assume the accreditation status that applies to fifty percent or more of the counties in the district or a status of conditionally accredited. The accreditation status assumed under this Paragraph shall apply until the earlier of the Board taking action in accordance with Rule .0203 of this Section or twelve months have elapsed since formation of the district. If twelve months have elapsed since formation of the district without Board action, the district health department shall be unaccredited.

(d)  If a county health department withdraws from a district health department pursuant to G.S. 130A-38, the county health department shall complete the self-assessment no later than five months after withdrawing from the district health department. The county health department shall retain the accreditation status of the district health department until the earlier of the Board taking action in accordance with Rule .0203 of this Section or twelve months elapsing since withdrawal from the district. If twelve months have elapsed since withdrawal from the district without Board action, the county health department shall be unaccredited.

(e)  If an LHD timely completes the self-assessment as set out in Paragraphs (b)-(d) of this Rule, the Board shall initiate a site visit in accordance with Rule .0202 of this Section and take action in accordance with Rule .0203 of this Section before the LHD's accreditation status expires. In all other circumstances, the Board shall initiate a site visit in accordance with Rule .0202 of this Section within eight months of completion of the self-assessment and shall take action in accordance with Rule .0203 of this Section at its next regularly scheduled meeting following the site visit.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 130A-34.1;

Eff. June 1, 2026.