Requirements for BBB Accredited Businesses Any corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or other type of business invited to become a BBB Accredited Business is responsible for meeting the following requirements and standards:
- Sign an Accredited Business Application and pay the appropriate fees as set by BBB.
- Supply background information about the company, its principals or other information deemed essential to BBB’s responsibility to provide inquirers with factual reports that bear on the reliability of the business.
- Be free from an unsatisfactory report at BBB in whose service area the company is headquartered.
- Fulfill all licensing and bonding requirements of applicable city, county, state and federal agencies and authorities; provide license numbers upon application for BBB Accredited Business and provide periodic updates on request of BBB.
- Comply with any decision rendered through BBB arbitration programs in which the firm agrees to participate.
- Application for BBB Accredited Business has met with final approval of BBB President and Board of Directors.
- Prior to application, business must be established in the service area of BBB for six (6) months to one (1) year depending on the industry and location. Participation in the Accredited Business Identification Program (ABIP) requires one year in business. This requirement may be waived if the firm is operated by a principal who previously operated:
A) An Accredited Business in the same service area.
B) A firm in the same industry for one year or more and maintained a satisfactory rating in the same service area.
C) An Accredited Business in another service area.
D) A firm of a similar industry in another community with no unresolved complaints on file with their local BBB.
- Prompt response is required to any and all complaints forwarded by BBB in a fair and professional manner. The disposition of those complaints is to be reported to BBB within ten (10) days of notice by BBB. Accredited Businesses are required to make a good faith effort to resolve all such complaints in accordance with generally accepted good business practices. Accredited Businesses agree to, for unresolved complaints, binding arbitration under BBB Rules of Arbitration (Binding) if the consumer also agrees, or pre-commitment to dispute settlement process through a provider other than BBB, and which BBB determines substantially complies with BBB consumer dispute resolution criteria.
- Serious efforts shall be made to eliminate underlying cause/causes of any patterns or trends of customer complaints that BBB may call to the Accredited Business’s attention.
- Accredited Businesses are obligated to maintain a public image and reputation conducive to the philosophy and characteristics of BBB.
- Accredited Businesses agree to cooperate with BBB’s activities and efforts to promote voluntary self-regulation within the business’s industry.
- Businesses subjected to governmental or criminal actions relating directly to its customer relations alleging fraud, deception, or other misconduct, which bear on the operation of its business, are not eligible to become a BBB Accredited Business.
- BBB plaques and decals are the property of BBB and shall be returned should participation as a BBB Accredited Business cease for any reason.
- Accredited Businesses are required to adhere to established BBB standards of advertising and selling as outlined in BBB Code of Advertising.
- Accredited Businesses are required to adhere to the publicity use policies of BBB logo and name (see the BBB Accreditation Identification Agreement).
- Accredited Businesses are required to adhere to established BBB standards of advertising and selling, including the Code of Online Business Practices for online businesses that apply for BBBOnLine Seal, and cooperate with BBB in matters relating thereto.
Failure to meet or maintain the above requirements and standards will lead to the denial or suspension of participation without prior notification. Any business denied participation as a BBB Accredited Business or suspended from BBB may present its case to the Grievance Committee of BBB Board of Directors.