Wondering how long APO accreditation really takes? Matt Sumpter, PE, an experienced APO Site Reviewer, shares practical insights on realistic timelines, common challenges, and why thoughtful planning is essential. Discover how allowing enough time can make the accreditation process smoother, strengthen your organization, and position your team for long-term success.
Build Time into the APO Accreditation Process
As an APO Site Reviewer, one of the most common questions I hear from organizations pursuing Accredited Parking Organization status is, “How long will this take?” The honest answer is that it depends. Every organization starts from a different place, with different resources, documentation, internal processes, and levels of readiness. However, one lesson has been consistent: the process often takes longer than initially expected.
That is not because the APO criteria are unclear or because organizations lack commitment. More often, it is because developing complete, thoughtful responses requires coordination across multiple departments. Parking, transportation, and mobility operations touch many areas of an organization, including finance, human resources, customer service, maintenance, security, planning, information technology, sustainability, and executive leadership. Gathering the right information, confirming current practices, and aligning responses with actual operations takes time.
In some cases, the process also reveals that certain documents simply do not exist. Standard Operating Procedures, training records, policies, maintenance plans, or other supporting materials may need to be created, updated, or formally approved before they can be submitted. That additional work is valuable, because APO accreditation is not just about collecting documents; it is about demonstrating a commitment to best practices, identifying areas needing improvement, supporting continuous improvement, and recognizing operational excellence.
Organizations should also remember that completing the documentation package is not the finish line. The Site Reviewer still needs time to review the submittal, coordinate with the organization, identify any missing or incomplete items, and allow the organization to provide updates or clarifications. Site visits to Premier Facilities must also be scheduled and completed, followed by any necessary follow-up related to site visit findings. For example, the site visit may identify repairs that need to be completed by third-party vendors and contractors, further increasing time to completion.
My recommendation is to plan generously. For many organizations, allocating four to six months provides a realistic window to work through the process without feeling rushed. That timeframe allows departments to coordinate, leadership to review and approve new or revised documentation, and the Site Reviewer to provide meaningful feedback. With thoughtful planning and realistic expectations, accreditation becomes more than a path to recognition; it becomes an opportunity to strengthen operations, affirm organizational excellence, and celebrate the work already being done.