Frequently Asked Questions

The BBB is a consumer protection organization. Its core function is to collect and publish consumer complaints and to rate businesses based on their responsiveness to those complaints. BBB accreditation is largely based on fee payment and complaint responsiveness - not on independent verification of a business's claims about itself.

CCert.org serves a fundamentally different purpose. We are a business-to-business credentialing body. We do not collect consumer complaints. We do not rate businesses on customer satisfaction. We independently verify that a business is legally constituted, operationally sound, and accurately representing its capabilities to commercial partners. Our highest tier (Platinum) includes a two-day on-site visit by our reviewers - something no consumer rating service offers. Think of CCert as closer to ISO certification or UL listing than to BBB membership.

Accreditation Partners Incorporated is a private, independent organization. We are not a government agency, and our certification is not a government-issued credential. Our program is modeled on internationally recognized accreditation frameworks, including elements drawn from ISO/IEC 17065 (conformity assessment bodies for product certification) and ANSI's general accreditation principles, though we are not formally accredited by ANSI or any other standards body at this time.

We believe that our independence - from government, from trade associations, and from the businesses we certify - is our most important asset. We are actively exploring formal recognition relationships with national standards bodies and industry associations and expect to announce developments in the near future.

Each certification tier represents a different depth of independent verification:

• Bronze - Foundational verification: EIN, registered business address, and active website confirmed against public records. Suitable for businesses that want to establish a verified baseline presence.
• Silver - Bronze plus documentation review: current insurance certificates, product certifications, and country-of-origin compliance reviewed and verified. Appropriate for businesses that supply products to institutional buyers.
• Gold - Silver plus a structured interview with ownership, a comprehensive business history review, BBB standing check, and a minimum 5-year operational history requirement. Suitable for established businesses competing for significant contracts.
• Platinum - Gold plus a two-day on-site visit by two senior reviewers and ongoing unannounced spot-check visits during the certification period. The highest form of independent business verification we offer.

See the Certification Levels page for a full breakdown of requirements and deliverables.

Review timelines begin from the date we receive a complete application - one with all required documentation attached. Incomplete applications are returned for revision and do not enter the review queue.

• Bronze: 5 business days
• Silver: 10 business days
• Gold: 15 business days (plus scheduling time for the virtual interview)
• Platinum: 30 business days (inclusive of scheduling and the on-site visit window)

These are target turnaround times under normal volume conditions. During peak periods, timelines may extend by up to 50%. We communicate any expected delays to applicants proactively.

We do not publish certification fees on this website because pricing varies depending on the certification level, industry sector, business size, and whether the applicant qualifies for multi-year prepayment discounts or partner referral rates.

We encourage prospective applicants to contact us for a fee schedule. We are committed to cost transparency - you will receive a full fee breakdown before submitting an application, with no hidden charges. Our pricing is structured as a cost-recovery model; we do not profit from the application process.

CCert.org currently maintains industry-specific verification frameworks for: Manufacturing, Food & Beverage, Construction & Contracting, Technology & IT Services, Healthcare Suppliers, Retail & Distribution, Professional Services, Logistics & Transportation, Energy & Utilities, and Automotive & Equipment.

We are not limited to these sectors. If your business operates in an industry not listed, please contact us - our Standards Review Committee evaluates new industry frameworks on an ongoing basis. See the Industries We Serve page for detailed descriptions of what we verify in each sector.

Certified businesses receive a digital seal package containing print-ready vector artwork and screen-optimized PNG files in multiple sizes, along with an HTML embed snippet that links the seal to your live verification page on CCert.org. We require that all digital seal placements use the provided embed code so that the verification link remains active - this allows your partners to confirm your certification status in real time.

The seal may be displayed on your website, in email signatures, on marketing materials, in RFP/RFQ responses, on product packaging (where certification is scope-appropriate), and in trade show materials. The seal may not be altered in color, proportion, or content, and may not be displayed in a context that implies a higher certification level than the one you hold. Unauthorized use of the CCert seal is subject to legal action. Detailed brand guidelines are included in your certification package.

All CCert certifications are issued for a three-year term from the date of approval. In years two and three, you will be required to submit an Annual Compliance Attestation - a structured declaration confirming that no material changes have occurred in your business's legal status, insurance, or compliance standing.

A renewal review begins 90 days before your expiration date. Renewal is a streamlined re-verification (not a full re-application) for businesses in good standing. Certifications that are not renewed lapse on their expiry date and are removed from the public directory immediately.

Anyone can verify a CCert certification at any time using the Verify a Business tool on this website. Enter the certification number (in the format APC-YYYY-NNNNN) to see the full certification record, including the business name, certified date, expiry date, certification level, and industry.

The digital seal embed code placed on your website links directly to your verification page, so any partner who clicks the seal on your site is taken directly to your current certification status. If your certification lapses or is suspended, the verification page will reflect that immediately - the seal on your website cannot be used to misrepresent an inactive certification.

If your application does not result in certification, you will receive a written notification stating that your application could not proceed at this time. We do not disclose the specific reasons for denial in writing, as this policy protects the integrity of our review process and our legal standing. However, you are welcome to request a general guidance consultation with a review coordinator, who can discuss - without referencing specific file contents - the typical factors that affect applications at the level you applied for.

You may reapply after 30 days from the date of the denial notice. There is no limit on the number of times you may reapply, provided each application reflects a genuine attempt to meet the requirements. If you believe a denial was made in error, you may file a formal appeal with our Standards Review Committee within 30 days of the denial notice. Appeals must be submitted in writing and must state the specific grounds for the appeal.

Yes. Accreditation Partners Incorporated reserves the right to suspend or revoke any certification at any time if evidence emerges that the basis for certification was materially inaccurate - either at the time of issuance or subsequently. Common revocation triggers include: lapse of required insurance, revocation of a required license, a criminal conviction against an owner or officer, filing of bankruptcy, discovery of document falsification, or material misrepresentation of business size or capabilities.

Before any revocation is finalized, the business is notified and given 15 business days to respond. If the matter cannot be resolved at the staff level, it is escalated to the Standards Review Committee. Businesses have the right to appeal a Revocation Order to the Board of Directors within 30 days of the written notice.

See our Revocation Policy page for full details.

All applicants and certified businesses have the right to appeal any adverse certification decision to the Standards Review Committee. Appeals must be submitted in writing within 30 days of the decision notice and must clearly state the grounds for the appeal - for example, that the review relied on inaccurate information, that relevant documentation was overlooked, or that the decision was inconsistent with published standards.

The Committee reviews all appeals within 20 business days of receipt and issues a written determination. The Committee may uphold, modify, or reverse the original decision. If the Committee upholds an adverse decision, the applicant may escalate to the Board of Directors within 30 days. The Board's decision is final and binding.

The right level depends on your business's age, the nature of your customers and partners, and your strategic goals.

• Bronze is appropriate for newer businesses (under 5 years) or those that primarily want a verifiable, third-party baseline credential to support website credibility and light B2B trust.
• Silver is a good fit for product-based businesses, distributors, or any company whose buyers require proof of insurance and origin compliance before signing a purchase order.
• Gold is ideal for established service firms, contractors, and technology companies competing for significant enterprise or government contracts where due diligence is a formal step in the vendor approval process.
• Platinum is designed for large, mature businesses where the certification is a strategic differentiator - where clients need the highest possible assurance that the company is exactly what it represents itself to be.

We also offer free preliminary consultations to help prospective applicants select the right level. Contact us to schedule one.

Yes. Certified businesses may apply to upgrade their certification level at any point during their certification term. An upgrade application initiates a new full review at the higher level. If approved, the certification is reissued at the new level with a fresh three-year term from the upgrade date. The fee for an upgrade review is calculated as the difference between the original certification fee and the fee for the target level.

Upgrades from Bronze or Silver to Gold require meeting the 5-year minimum business history requirement at the time of the upgrade application. Upgrades to Platinum require the full two-day on-site visit regardless of prior certification history.