Most agencies rely on local accreditation coalitions or networks for mock assessors.
Normally these assessors work for free or charge nominal fees. Some agencies may have knowledgeable, trained assessors within the organization or at nearby agencies, and still others may pursue alternative venues for mock assessors. A recent polling of practitioners in the field concerning mock assessments revealed some common themes for success. The lack of a quality mock makes your agency more vulnerable to major noncompliance issues which may be difficult or impossible to correct during the on-site assessment. More experienced accreditation managers may shorten this period if only minor corrections to accreditation files are likely.