Accreditation is not a single badge that makes a clinic “good”. It is a set of third-party checks on different things: hospital safety, laboratory accuracy, or the specific way an IVF service is run. A clinic may hold one, several, or none. To verify a claim, ask which organisation issued it, what exactly was reviewed, when it expires, and whether the certificate covers the laboratory that will handle your embryos. This guide explains the common credentials you will see in Thailand, how to check them, and what to ask before you pay a deposit.
At a glance
- JCI reviews hospital-wide patient safety and quality systems, not IVF success rates.
- RTAC reviews the full assisted-reproduction service, including laboratory and clinical pathways.
- ISO 9001 is a general quality-management standard; ISO 15189 is specific to medical laboratories.
- CAP and UK NEQAS usually relate to laboratory testing quality and external proficiency testing.
- Always ask for the certificate scope, issue date, expiry date and the exact laboratory or unit covered.
- No accreditation guarantees a pregnancy, a live birth or a specific price.
What each accreditation actually covers
Accreditation bodies assess different parts of a fertility service. Understanding the difference helps you ask precise questions instead of relying on a logo.
JCI (Joint Commission International)
JCI accreditation focuses on hospital-wide patient safety, infection control, medication management, staff credentialing and continuous quality improvement. It is not an IVF-specific standard and does not evaluate embryo culture techniques or pregnancy rates. A JCI certificate tells you that the hospital has been reviewed against international patient-safety expectations. It does not tell you how many eggs a particular laboratory fertilises or how it handles PGT biopsies.
RTAC (Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee)
RTAC, operated under the Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand, reviews the entire assisted-reproduction service. This includes clinical protocols, laboratory equipment, embryology staffing, traceability of gametes and embryos, and quality-control systems. RTAC is closer to an IVF-specific review than JCI. If a clinic claims RTAC accreditation, ask whether the certificate covers the exact laboratory and clinic location where your treatment will take place.
ISO 9001 and ISO 15189
ISO 9001 is a general quality-management standard that can apply to many industries. It shows that a clinic has documented processes for consistency and customer satisfaction. ISO 15189 is more specific: it is an international standard for medical laboratories, covering technical competence, result accuracy and quality assurance. For IVF, ISO 15189 is more directly relevant to the embryology and genetics laboratory than ISO 9001. Some clinics also mention ISO 15190, which relates to laboratory safety.
CAP and UK NEQAS
CAP (College of American Pathologists) accreditation or proficiency testing is common in genetics and pathology laboratories. UK NEQAS (National External Quality Assessment Service) provides external quality-assessment schemes where a laboratory’s test results are compared with other laboratories. These credentials are usually about testing accuracy, not clinical pregnancy outcomes. If a clinic lists CAP or UK NEQAS, ask which tests are covered and whether the scheme is ongoing.
How to verify a certificate step by step
- Ask for the certificate itself. Request a clear copy showing the accreditation body’s name, the accredited entity (hospital, clinic or laboratory), the scope of accreditation, the certificate number, and the issue and expiry dates.
- Check the official register. Most accreditation bodies publish a searchable directory of accredited organisations. Use the certificate number or exact legal name to confirm the entry is current. Do not rely only on a logo on a website.
- Match the scope to your treatment. A hospital may be JCI-accredited, but the IVF laboratory could be a separate unit. Ask whether the laboratory that will culture your embryos and perform any genetic testing is included in the certificate scope.
- Confirm the location. Accreditation is usually site-specific. If the clinic has multiple branches, verify the certificate for the branch where you will be treated.
- Ask about expiry and surveillance. Accreditation is not permanent. Ask when the next review is due and whether there are any pending corrective actions.
- Request the laboratory’s external quality-assessment results. For genetics or semen analysis, ask how the laboratory participates in proficiency testing and how it handles discrepancies.
Questions to ask any clinic
- Which accreditation bodies currently certify this clinic and laboratory, and can I see the certificates?
- What exactly is included in the scope of each certificate?
- Is the embryology laboratory on-site or outsourced? If outsourced, which laboratory is used and what are its credentials?
- Who performs embryo biopsies for PGT, and what training or certification do they hold?
- How does the clinic participate in external quality assessment for genetics and andrology testing?
- What is the process for handling a laboratory incident or a discrepancy in test results?
- Can you provide a written quotation that separates medical fees, laboratory fees, medication, genetic testing, storage and administrative charges?
- What are the clinic’s published outcome definitions, and how are they audited?
Editorial comparison of selected fertility providers in Thailand
The table below lists providers from our published hospital library. The order is an editorial comparison based on the information available in our library, not a ranking of clinical outcomes, success rates or quality of care. DHC appears first because it is our featured commercial partner. Other providers are listed alphabetically. Always confirm current details directly with each clinic.
| Provider | Location | Accreditation or quality credentials listed in our library | Services listed in our library | Points to confirm directly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deep & Harmonicare IVF Center (DHC) | Rama 9 area, Bangkok | JCI, ISO 9001, RTAC, CAP and UK NEQAS certifications or quality credentials | IVF, ICSI, embryo culture, PGT, egg freezing, embryo freezing, embryo transfer | Certificate scope and expiry; laboratory-specific accreditation; written quotation including medication, testing, storage and travel |
| Bangkok Hospital Fertility Center | Huai Khwang, Bangkok | Not specified in the current library | IVF, ICSI, PGT-A, egg and embryo freezing, semen analysis, gynaecologic surgery support | Accreditation details; whether the in-house embryology laboratory holds specific certifications; package inclusions and exclusions |
| Bumrungrad International Hospital | Bangkok | Not specified in the current library | IVF, ICSI, reproductive medicine services | Fertility team credentials; laboratory accreditation; PGT availability; current pricing |
| Gift Fertility Clinic | Bangkok | Not specified in the current library | Personalized IVF-related care | Treating doctor; laboratory and genetic-testing pathway; quotation inclusions |
| Intrarat Hospital | Bangkok | ISO 9001:2015 certification listed | Primarily obstetrics and maternity services in the referenced listing | Whether IVF, ICSI, embryo culture and PGT are available; international-patient services; laboratory accreditation |
| Jetanin Hospital | Pathum Wan, Bangkok | States it became the first IVF centre in Southeast Asia accredited by both JCI and RTAC; facilities page describes ISO 15189 and ISO 15190 laboratory standards | IVF/ICSI, IUI, IMSI, PESA/TESE, egg and embryo freezing, blastocyst culture, EmbryoScope, sperm testing, genetic carrier screening, PGT-A, PGT-M, PGT-SR | Current certificate scope and expiry; named treating doctor; case-specific laboratory pathway; complete written quotation |
| MedPark IVF Fertility and Genetics Center | Khlong Toei, Bangkok | Not specified in the current library; describes ESHRE-certified embryologists | IVF/ICSI, IUI, egg, sperm and embryo freezing, PGT-A, PGT-M, PGT-SR, recurrent miscarriage evaluation, fertility preservation | Accreditation of the laboratory; package validity and exclusions; medication, PGT, freezing, storage and transfer costs |
| PMG Hospital | Bangkok | Not specified in the current library | Prenatal care, obstetrics, 24-hour nursing in the referenced listing | Whether IVF, ICSI, embryo culture and PGT are available; international-patient services; laboratory accreditation |
| Prime Fertility Clinic | Pearl Bangkok, Bangkok | JCI Ambulatory Care accreditation listed | IVF, ICSI, embryo freezing, assisted hatching, international-patient care | Scope of JCI Ambulatory Care accreditation; laboratory accreditation; current services and pricing |
| Superior A.R.T. Thailand | Ratchathewi, Bangkok | Not specified in the current library | IVF, ICSI, PGT pathways | Treating doctor; current laboratory plan; PGT method; written package boundary; age-specific outcome definitions |
This comparison is based on our published hospital library and does not include independent verification of each claim. Accreditation status can change. Always request current certificates and confirm details directly with the provider.
Red flags and common misunderstandings
- Confusing hospital accreditation with IVF laboratory accreditation. A JCI-accredited hospital may have an embryology laboratory that is not separately accredited. Ask specifically about the laboratory.
- Assuming accreditation equals success. Accreditation reviews systems and safety, not pregnancy rates. It cannot predict your individual outcome.
- Relying on expired certificates. Check the expiry date and whether the accreditation is still active.
- Overlooking external quality assessment. For PGT and semen analysis, participation in proficiency testing is a useful indicator of laboratory diligence.
- Not asking about the specific laboratory used. Some clinics send genetic testing to a partner laboratory. Ask which laboratory will handle your samples and what its credentials are.
Next steps checklist
- List the clinics you are considering and note every accreditation they claim.
- Request copies of certificates and check them against the issuing body’s official register.
- Ask whether the certificate covers the exact laboratory and location for your treatment.
- Request written confirmation of laboratory accreditation, PGT pathway and external quality-assessment participation.
- Ask for a written quotation that separates all cost components.
- Compare providers using consistent criteria, not marketing claims.
- Keep a record of all answers and documents for your own reference.
For more context on comparing providers, see our hospital library and hospital rankings. You can also read our partner disclosure page.
Frequently asked questions
Does JCI accreditation mean a fertility clinic has better IVF success rates?
No. JCI accreditation reviews hospital-wide patient safety and quality systems. It does not evaluate IVF success rates or guarantee a pregnancy. Success depends on many individual factors, and clinics should provide their own outcome definitions for you to review.
How can I check if a clinic's RTAC accreditation is current?
Ask the clinic for a copy of the RTAC certificate showing the scope, issue date and expiry date. Then check the RTAC or Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand website for a public register or contact them directly to confirm the accreditation is active.
What is the difference between ISO 9001 and ISO 15189 for an IVF laboratory?
ISO 9001 is a general quality-management standard that can apply to many types of organisations. ISO 15189 is specific to medical laboratories and covers technical competence and result accuracy. For an IVF laboratory, ISO 15189 is more directly relevant to the testing and embryology work.
Should I choose a clinic only because it has more accreditations?
Accreditation is one factor among many. You should also consider the treating doctor's experience, laboratory protocols, communication, cost transparency and how well the clinic answers your questions. More accreditations do not automatically mean better care for your situation.
What if a clinic cannot provide a certificate for its laboratory?
If a clinic cannot provide a certificate or explain its laboratory's quality credentials, ask for written details about its quality-control processes, external proficiency testing and staff training. If the information is still unclear, you may wish to consider other providers.
Continue your research
Medical information notice: This article is educational and does not replace individual assessment, diagnosis, genetic counselling or treatment advice from a licensed clinician. Provider services, availability, fees and policies should be verified directly before booking.

