What is a potential outcome of an incomplete application?

An incomplete application can lead to denial of initial certification because certification processes are designed to ensure that all necessary information and documentation are submitted for assessment. When an application is incomplete, it indicates that the applicant has not fulfilled all the requirements set forth by the certification authority. As a result, the reviewing body may have no choice but to deny certification, as they cannot accurately evaluate the applicant's qualifications or ensure compliance with the standards of the certifying organization.

In contrast, automatic approval after review would be contingent on the submission of a complete application, which is not achievable if the required materials are missing. Delayed processing time may be a consequence of an incomplete application, but that does not lead to certification, nor does it address the ultimate factoring that an incomplete submission fails to meet the necessary requirements. Issuance of a provisional certification typically requires certain criteria to be met, which, if the application is incomplete, would not apply. Therefore, the most direct and definitive outcome of an incomplete application is denial of initial certification.