# Korea hospital credential glossary

> Credential terms identify different procedures, issuers and records.

Written by the Pyojiilgi Care Quality Study Group editorial team on October 29, 2026. Canonical address: https://accreditedhospitalguide.org/glossary.

## Why distinguish hospital credential terms?

Similar wording can refer to different legal or assessment procedures.

A term should retain the scheme and issuing body that define it.

**Credential, authority and scope**

| Credential | Body | Scope |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Domestic accreditation | MOHW; delegated work by KOIHA | Quality and patient-safety standards |
| KAHF | MOHW / KHIDI / KOIHA | Foreign-patient service and patient-safety systems |
| Recruitment registration | Competent provincial or metropolitan governor | Registration requirements |
| JCI | Joint Commission International | Named program and listed facilities |

## Which dates belong with hospital credential terms?

Keep certificate periods, decision dates and source-checking dates distinct.

Effective Date and a portal modification date must not be silently renamed as expiry or institutional award dates.

## Where are hospital credential terms checked?

The term entries cite the legislation or issuing-body explanation that defines the scope.

Read the whole relevant condition, including exceptions, before applying a short definition to an institution.

**Fields to compare with an official record**

| Field | Question |
| --- | --- |
| Scheme and issuer | Which assessment or registration? |
| Name, type and location | Which institution or facility? |
| Grade or decision | What result is stated? |
| Stated period and checking date | Which period and observation? |

## What else do people ask about hospital credential terms?

### Why distinguish hospital credential terms?

Similar wording can refer to different legal or assessment procedures.

### Which dates belong with hospital credential terms?

Keep certificate periods, decision dates and source-checking dates distinct.

### Where are hospital credential terms checked?

The term entries cite the legislation or issuing-body explanation that defines the scope.

### Does hospital credential terms assign institutional status?

Only a matched official record can answer the relevant institution question.

### How are hospital credential terms source dates used?

Keep the source-checking date separate from the stated certificate period.

## Where do these numbers come from?

- [Medical Service Act](https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsInfoP.do?lsiSeq=290667) - National Law Information Center
- [Legislation on overseas healthcare and foreign-patient recruitment](https://www.law.go.kr/LSW/lsInfoP.do?lsiSeq=279693) - National Law Information Center
- [Accreditation results and grades](https://www.koiha.or.kr/web/kr/assessment/accResult.do) - Korea Institute for Healthcare Accreditation
- [KAHF evaluation and accreditation](https://www.koiha.or.kr/web/kr/assessment/accKahfStatus.do) - Korea Institute for Healthcare Accreditation
- [Find JCI Accredited Organizations](https://www.jointcommission.org/en/about-us/recognizing-excellence/find-accredited-international-organizations) - Joint Commission International