Applicants should carefully read the regulations to determine when a written policy or procedure is required. A written policy is required when the regulation calls for a “policy” and a written procedure isrequired when the regulation calls for a “procedure.”
“Policy” defines what the plan or guiding principle of the organization is, as related to the requiredregulation.
“Procedures” are the process (or steps) the applicant takes to ensure the policy is carried out. Procedures should answer the questions of who, where and how a policy will be implemented.
Policies and procedures are not the re-statement of a regulation.
Applicants may also need to develop other policies to guide the delivery of services even when not
required by the regulations.