Our checklist covers all 5 phases of AIM accreditation, from initial planning through award and ongoing maintenance — built for individuals and training organisations across the Arab region and beyond.
Here are the first two phases of the checklist exactly as they appear in the guide, plus the quick-reference timeline. Tick an item only when the evidence exists in your accreditation file — not when someone "is working on it".
Realistic end-to-end duration depends on how much of your documentation already exists and how quickly management signs things off.
| Phase | Fast track | Typical | Key dependency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 — Planning & preparation | 3 weeks | 4–6 weeks | Management sign-off speed |
| 2 — Documentation | 4 weeks | 6–10 weeks | Existing policy base |
| 3 — Assessment | 3 weeks | 4–6 weeks | Assessor availability |
| 4 — Remediation | 2 weeks | 3–6 weeks | Number/severity of findings |
| 5 — Award & set-up of maintenance | 2 weeks | 3–4 weeks | Awarding body processing |
| Total | ~18 weeks | ~26–40 weeks | — |
That's phases 1–2 of 5. Phases 3–5 — Assessment, Remediation, and Award & Maintenance — plus the full 3-year cost table, the 5 classic pitfalls and the weekly project rhythm are in the complete PDF… download the full guide free for the remaining phases.
Download the full guide freeThis guide walks you through every step of the AIM accreditation journey. Whether you're starting a training programme or scaling an existing operation, it helps you avoid missing the milestones assessors check for. For hands-on support at any phase, see our training services.
Typical duration: 18–24 weeks from initial planning to accreditation award, longer where documentation is starting from scratch.
Investment: Costs vary with programme size, complexity, and region, and typically include AIM application fees, documentation support, and internal audit costs — the full breakdown is in the guide.
Key milestones: Application submission generally follows completed documentation; the site visit and subsequent accreditation decision follow on a schedule confirmed by the awarding body.
Once you've achieved AIM accreditation, the work continues: