(a)

1. (1) Certification for level two (2) and above is valid for thirty-six (36) months unless the facility becomes otherwise ineligible for certification according to:

   1. (A) 20 CAR § 1001-104, eligibility; or
   2. (B) 20 CAR § 1001-109, adverse action.
2. (2) Certification for level one (1) facilities will remain valid as long as the license is in new provisional or regular status.

(b)

1. (1) Facilities certified as Better Beginnings level two (2) and above programs must resubmit all application documents, as outlined in 20 CAR § 1001-106, thirty-five (35) months after the date of the last certification.
2. (2) Level one (1) facilities are not required to reapply.
3. (3) Failure to submit required documentation may result in loss of certification status.

4. (4)

   1. (A) Certification will be granted upon completion of all requirements.
   2. (B) See 20 CAR § 1001-107.
5. (5) Failure to verify annually that the licensing portal has been updated with the facility’s current provider information may result in loss of certification status.

(c)

1. (1) Facilities that do not meet requirements for their current level or higher at recertification will be given the option of accepting the highest level for which they qualify or being placed on a ninety-day corrective action agreement that includes support information on how the facility may address deficient areas.
2. (2) All requirements must be met for the current or higher level by the end of the corrective action agreement.
3. (3) If the requirements are not met, the facility will be certified at the highest level for which it qualifies.

(d)

1. (1) A certified facility that becomes the subject of an investigation may retain current certification until the investigation is concluded.
2. (2) The outcome of the investigation may be considered in determining continuation of certification or a corrective action agreement at any level.

(e)

1. (1) Facilities requesting to be reviewed for a higher level of certification must submit a new application for the higher level.

2. (2) A full application:

   1. (A) Must be submitted according to 20 CAR § 1001-106; and
   2. (B) Will be processed according to 20 CAR § 1001-107.
3. (3) Facilities meeting higher level requirements will be newly certified at the appropriate level.
4. (4) Facilities not meeting higher level requirements will be assigned the level of certification achieved.

(f)

1. (1) Certified facilities that change location:

   1. (A) Must submit a new application for Better Beginnings certification according to 20 CAR § 1001-106; and
   2. (B) Will be processed according to 20 CAR § 1001-107.
2. (2) The facility may retain the current certification level until the application review process is completed.
3. (3) This process shall be completed within ninety (90) days of the relocation.
4. (4) If the facility does not qualify within ninety (90) days, it will be removed from participation.

(g)

1. (1) Unannounced visits, reviews, or random checks may be conducted at any time to verify continued compliance with certification requirements.
2. (2) An unfavorable review may result in a full-scale reassessment, which could change the Better Beginnings status.

(h)

1. (1) It is recommended that each facility implement a continuous quality improvement process with a self-assessment to assist it in maintaining quality practices during the non-assessment years when ERS and PAS reviews are not done.
2. (2) Technical assistance is available upon request.