8a program length implies the timeline and moreover the time required to go through all the steps involved in getting a business certified by the nodal agency approving all 8a certification applications, which happens to be Small Business Administration. (SBA).
The time required to prepare and assemble the application under the normally expected 8a program length varies from client to client, but mostly it has been seen that it takes between a month and half with the SBA being able to approve the certification within 4 months, depending upon the applicant meeting all the basic credentials and having other satisfactory economic and social narratives handy to satisfy the basic requirements.
Overall it is estimated that the entire 8a program length runs up to 6 months on average, with the lucky ones seeing their applications being cleared within 6 months, and the unlucky ones see their applications stretching beyond 6 months and even getting decline.
6 months remains the average 8a program length and it involves all the time between preparing your application to submitting it, meetings, checks, re-checks and the final approval from Small business administration, which happens to be the sole authorizing agency for all 8a certification applications.
Hiring consultants might end up significantly lessening the time required for approval, since the consultants are professionals adept in getting applications approved for their clients and their style of working and system in place really helps a lot of their clients who might go a little astray in the absence of any authority guiding their fortunes through the entire processes under 8a program length.