Templates/New Program Accreditation

New Residency & Fellowship Program Accreditation Template

Know what ACGME expects before you start — not after you've already committed.

Health systems launching new residency or fellowship programs routinely underestimate the complexity of the ACGME application process and the infrastructure required to support accreditation. This template provides a structured framework for the entire process — from feasibility assessment through initial accreditation — so programs can identify gaps early and avoid the costly delays that come from discovering requirements mid-process.

What's included

→Feasibility assessment checklist — evaluate readiness before committing to launch
→Application timeline planner — month-by-month roadmap from decision to residents
→ACGME application section tracker — manage the 20+ sections of the application
→Faculty qualification worksheet — assess faculty roster against ACGME requirements
→Program infrastructure checklist — what must be in place before the site visit
→Site visit preparation guide — what ACGME evaluates and how to prepare each area
→First-year operations calendar — key milestones for the program's inaugural year

Who this is for

✓Health systems planning to launch a new residency or fellowship program
✓Hospital administrators evaluating GME program feasibility
✓Program directors building a new program from scratch
✓DIOs managing new program development across their institution

Preview

Feasibility Assessment — Key Questions

Answer these questions before committing to a new program launch.

Clinical volume: Does our patient volume and case mix meet the minimum requirements for this specialty? (Reference current ACGME program requirements — volume requirements vary by specialty.) | Faculty: Do we have at least [specialty minimum] qualified faculty with time available for teaching? Is there a program director candidate with appropriate qualifications and available protected time? | Infrastructure: Does our institution have an active DIO with capacity to support a new program? Does our GME office have the bandwidth to manage an additional accredited program? | Institutional commitment: Has leadership committed the resources required — program director protected time, coordinator support, educational space, simulation access? | Timeline: Do we understand that the application-to-accreditation process typically takes 18-36 months and have we planned accordingly?

Application Section Tracker — Sample

Track completion status for each section of the ACGME application.

Section: Program Director Information | Status: Complete / In Progress / Not Started | Owner: Program Director | Due: [date] | Notes: CV and personal statement complete; references pending | | Section: Faculty Roster and Qualifications | Status: In Progress | Owner: Program Coordinator | Due: [date] | Notes: 8 of 12 faculty profiles complete; awaiting 4 CVs | | Section: Curriculum Overview | Status: Not Started | Owner: Program Director + Associate PD | Due: [date] | Notes: Outline drafted; needs expansion to meet requirement minimums

How to use this template

1Complete the feasibility assessment before any other work — it may save you years of wasted effort
2Share the timeline planner with hospital leadership early — most executives underestimate the timeline
3Use the faculty qualification worksheet to identify gaps in your faculty roster before submitting
4Work through the application section tracker weekly with your program director
5Begin site visit preparation at least six months before the expected visit date

Glossary: sponsoring institution Examples: New Program Accreditation

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