Apply online to KOIHA at least two months before the survey you want, with your business registration, building plans and opening permit, then trace patients through your own records against the standards before the surveyors do. KOIHA fixes the schedule within 30 days, and the 인증심의위원회 grades the institution after the survey.
Applying
The institution registers on KOIHA's service and applies online on the 인증신청서 in 별지 제23호의5서식, attaching its business registration certificate, building plans and opening permit as PDF files. KOIHA confirms receipt within 7 days, and a survey can start no earlier than two months after the application.1 KOIHA then sets the schedule with the institution and notifies it within 30 days of receipt, and once fixed it cannot be changed.2
What the standards ask
The standards cover the five areas 의료법 제58조의3 names, patient rights and safety, quality improvement, care processes and results, organisation and staffing, and patient satisfaction. KOIHA groups them in four domains, 기본가치체계, 환자진료체계, 조직관리체계 and 성과관리체계, with 의료정보/의무기록 관리 among the organisational standards.3 급성기병원 인증기준 Ver. 5.0 applies to surveys of 상급종합병원, 종합병원 and 병원 from 1 September 2026.5
- Read the standards for your type. Ver. 5.0 for acute hospitals, and the standards KOIHA names for other types.
- Map each standard to an owner. One person per standard, with the evidence and where it lives.
- Trace real patients. Follow one patient through booking, consent, the record, medicines and discharge.
- Check the record itself. Signed entries, dates and times, and an amendment log for electronic records.
- Apply two months ahead. With the business registration, building plans and opening permit attached.
- Hold the schedule. Once KOIHA fixes the dates and surveyors, they cannot move.
- Domain ______ Standard ______
- Owner ______ Evidence ______
- Where it lives ______
- Patient traced on ______ Gap found ______
- Action ______ Due ______
The survey, the grade and after
| Acute hospital and size | Survey days | Surveyors |
|---|---|---|
| 상급종합병원, 1,000 beds or more | 4 | 7 |
| 상급종합병원, under 1,000 beds | 4 | 6 |
| 종합병원, 300 beds or more | 4 | 5 |
| 종합병원, under 300 beds | 4 | 4 |
| 병원, 100 beds or more | 4 | 4 |
| 병원, under 100 beds | 4 | 3 |
The 인증심의위원회 grades the institution 인증, 조건부인증 or 불인증, and KOIHA notifies the grade within six months of the survey. An institution may appeal within 30 days on 별지 제23호의9서식.2 인증 lasts four years and 조건부인증 one. During the four years the institution submits a self review, and KOIHA visits again 24 to 36 months after certification.4 Using the mark after it expires carries up to 1 year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won.6
Questions
How early must we apply?
At least two months before the survey starts. KOIHA then fixes the dates within 30 days of receiving the application.
Can the survey dates move once fixed?
No. KOIHA selects the surveyors and plans the survey when the dates are fixed, so the schedule cannot change after that.
What happens after a 조건부인증?
It works as certification for one year, during which the institution improves and is surveyed again for a final grade.
Sources
- 1의료기관평가인증원 (KOIHA), 2026의료기관 인증, 인증신청Read source
- 2의료기관평가인증원 (KOIHA), 2026의료기관 인증, 인증절차Read source
- 3의료기관평가인증원 (KOIHA), 2026의료기관 인증, 인증기준Read source
- 4의료기관평가인증원 (KOIHA), 2026의료기관 인증, 인증결과Read source
- 5의료기관평가인증원 (KOIHA), 2025급성기병원 인증기준 Ver. 5.0 및 인증조사 표준지침서 공표 안내, 3 December 2025Read source
- 6의료기관평가인증원 (KOIHA), 2026의료기관 인증, 인증마크Read source
Written by the wai team from Korea Institute for Healthcare Accreditation (의료기관평가인증원) guidance, checked on 16 October 2026. This is guidance, not legal advice. Neither the Ministry of Health and Welfare nor KOIHA endorses wai or any software.