What does Accreditation Canada international accreditation mean?

Accreditation Canada's Qmentum Global international programme assesses quality, safety and governance in healthcare and social-service organisations. Accreditation Canada is a Canadian nonprofit affiliated with Health Standards Organization.

Who runs it and is it the government?

Accreditation Canada runs the programme as an external evaluator. An international award does not mean the Canadian government endorses a foreign clinic or licenses its doctors. The Canadian name identifies the organisation behind the assessment, not government responsibility for your care.

Accreditation Canada has organisation-level recognition from the ISQua External Evaluation Association for December 2022 to December 2026. That recognition concerns Accreditation Canada itself. The hospital's award needs a separate check in the international client directory. IEEA's awards directory identifies the evaluator's recognition period.

What does it assess and for how long?

The process combines self-assessment, survey instruments, an on-site assessment and an improvement plan. It considers clinical and organisational quality, safety and governance under the applicable standards.

The international programme has a three-year cycle. The four-year Canadian programme is different, so do not use its period to interpret a clinic abroad. Read the international certificate's own dates and ask about any gap between an expired award and a claimed renewal.

Gold, Platinum and Diamond are levels within this programme. They do not rank a clinic against hospitals accredited by other organisations. When comparing two clinics, first establish what each level and assessment actually covers.

How do I find a clinic in its register?

Open Accreditation Canada's directory of international clients. Select the relevant region or country, or use your browser's Find function to locate the organisation's name. Compare the city and accreditation level, then confirm the dates and covered sites.

The directory includes entries in Cyprus, the Dominican Republic and Mexico. Those examples do not mean that every clinic in those countries holds the award. If a familiar brand appears, read the individual listing before deciding it matches your intended provider.

What does it not tell me?

An accreditation level does not establish the treating doctor's licence or promise a particular outcome. Ask the clinic to explain any advertised status that differs from its directory entry.

Use How to check any mark in five minutes for the remaining checks.

Checked on 23 October 2026.