Every Accreditation review is: 

• voluntary–museums can apply or withdraw at any time
• collaborative-involving a dialogue among a museum’s staff, governing authority, Program staff, Visiting Committee, and Accreditation Commission. 
• confidential-information provided by museums, and all correspondence and reports, is shared only with Program staff, Visiting Committee members, and Accreditation Commission.

Our guiding principles:

1. The program accredits institutions, not individuals. 
2. Accreditation is not a prerequisite for AAM membership, nor is AAM membership a prerequisite for accreditation.
3. The principles, requirements, and procedures of the Accreditation Program apply to all museums in the program.
4. Accredited status applies equally to all museums; the program does not distinguish among various grades of achievement or excellence.
5. While the Accreditation Program expects museums to comply with all applicable local, state, federal, and international laws, codes, and regulations, it does not assess or certify such compliance.
6. Accreditation Program standards change over time to reflect the evolving nature of the museum field.
7. The Accreditation Program strives to be accessible to as many institutions as possible and embraces the diversity of the museum field.