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Agency Accreditation

The purpose of the accreditation program is to provide a means of formally verifying and recognizing public works agencies for compliance with the recommended practices set forth in the Public Works Management Practices Manual. It is a voluntary, self-motivated approach to objectively evaluate, verify and recognize compliance with the recommended management practices.

Purchase the Public Works Management Practices Manual, 10th Ed. and Self-Assessment Software from the APWA Store >

Begin the Journey

Interested in self-assessment, the first step in the Accreditation process? The Virtual Principles of PW Self-Assessment Workshop shows you how to complete the self-assessment process using the manual and software.

Virtual Principles of PW Self-Assessment Workshop
May 13, 2021
12:30–3:30 p.m. CT

Accreditation Open Forum Series

Join us for a series of free one-hour Open Forum discussions for Accredited agencies and agencies getting started or interested in the benefits of completing the self-assessment process. The panel discussions will offer insight into how other agencies managed their day-to-day operations to complete the self-assessment and achieve the Accreditation designation.

Registration is open now! Don’t miss this opportunity to share ideas, ask questions, and learn why NOW is the time to get started on the accreditation journey.

Lessons learned
June 22, 2021, 2:00 p.m. CT

Perspective from a small city/rural community (SC/RC)
September 21, 2021, 2:00 p.m. CT

Organization of supporting documents
December 14, 2021, 2:00 p.m. CT

Accreditation Process

Agencies pursuing accreditation go through a five-phase process:

Self-Assessment
Application
Improvement
Evaluation
Accreditation

View the Accreditation Program Guidelines >

Every journey should have a map, and that includes self-assessment. Use the Accreditation Road Map to define your agency’s goals, confirm the desired outcome, and track the major steps or milestones needed to reach it.

Benefits of Accreditation

Established agency-wide culture of continuous improvement
Improved operational performance
Team building and staff development
Succession planning/institutional knowledge retention
Central location for documentation and SOPs
Increased efficiencies/reduced duplication and wasted resources
Improved communication
Justification for budget requests
Lowering of insurance premiums
Reduced liability

Announcements

APWA congratulates the following agencies for their commitment to continuous improvement as they achieved Accreditation status.

Name of Agency	Date Accredited
City of Surprise, AZ Department of Public Works, Department of Community Development, and Department of Water Resources Management	Accredited March 5, 2021
City of St. Petersburg, FL Engineering & Capital Improvement Department; Fleet Management Department; Stormwater, Pavement & Traffic Operations Department; and Water Resources Department	Accredited February 19, 2021
Chattanooga, TN Department of Public Works	Re-Accredited February 19, 2021
City of Pinellas Park, FL Department of Public Works	Accredited February 19, 2021

Search for Accredited, Provisional, or Applicant Agencies >