The right time to apply is different for every museum.  Some factors include the museum's age, size, point in organizational development or lifecycle, how long there have been paid professional staff, and the degree of support from current leadership. 

Although not comprehensive, the checklist below will help your museum gauge its readiness to apply.  (See also Tips for Preparing)

My museum is ready to apply when:

• It meets all the eligibility criteria and has the required documents and policies approved and in effect.
  
• It operates according to current professional standards and practices and can demonstrate it operates according to the Characteristics of an Accreditable Museum and Accreditation Commission Expectations on levels appropriate to the museum's resources.
  
• It is able and willing to commit to change and growth relative to rising standards; it is able and willing to meet the program's on-going obligations and administrative requirements.
  
  Accredited museums must remain abreast of evolving standards in the field and continually monitor and improve their operations and programs to meet them. They must continue to provide credible evidence that they are fulfilling their purposes and attaining the goals proclaimed in their mission. Therefore, to retain accreditation, the institution must undergo and complete a subsequent accreditation review, within ten years of initial accreditation, and every ten years thereafter.  In addition, accreditation policies and procedures are routinely revised as professional standards in the field evolve; the museum must be willing and able to keep up with these changes.
  
• Accreditation has full support of the governing authority, any parent organization, the director, and the staff.  This commitment is documented in writing and reflected in the strategic plan.
  
• It has undertaken at least one Museum Assessment Program (MAP) survey. Although participation in MAP is not a pre-requisite for applying to the Accreditation Program, it is strongly suggested that museums use this assessment tool as a preliminary step towards accreditation. It allows an institution to identify institutional strengths, correct weaknesses, and implement suggested improvements.
  
• The staff, director, and governing authority understand the accreditation program, and are familiar with the process, the Self-Study Questionnaire, and the required documentation. The questionnaire and list of related supporting documentation is regularly revised and updated to reflect current practices.
  
• The museum has talked to the Accreditation Program staff about its interest and intent to apply. 
  
• The staff and governing authority understand the basic program philosophy and obligations, and have read the Accreditation Program Handbook (available as part of the Accreditation Resource Kit from the AAM Bookstore).
  
• A permanent director in place who will oversee the accreditation process in its entirety. (While the accreditation review is an institutional endeavor, the director plays an important role--sh/e has the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the review stays on track and that all Commission concerns are responded to (although someone else may be designated to manage the review details/serve as the contact person).  Therefore, if a leadership transition occurs, the review process may be impacted. How depends on the type of review (initial or subsequent) and the museum's stage in the process. Program staff will provide guidance.)
  
• Accreditation costs, time, and needed resources are/will be factored/integrated into the institution's planning. The process usually takes about three years to complete.
  
• All the qualities of a successful accreditation review are in place.