diff --git a/maap/dps/dps_job.py b/maap/dps/dps_job.py
index 8b1a3d0..47d7255 100644
--- a/maap/dps/dps_job.py
+++ b/maap/dps/dps_job.py
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@
 import json
 import logging
 import os
+import time
 import xml.etree.ElementTree as ET
 import backoff
 from urllib.parse import urljoin
@@ -227,13 +228,20 @@ def retrieve_status(self):
         return self.status
 
     @backoff.on_exception(backoff.expo, Exception, max_value=64, max_time=172800)
-    def wait_for_completion(self):
+    def wait_for_completion(self, initial_delay_seconds=5):
         """
         Wait for the job to complete.
 
         Blocks execution until the job finishes (succeeds, fails, or is
         cancelled). Uses exponential backoff to poll for status updates.
 
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        initial_delay_seconds : float, optional
+            Initial delay in seconds before first status check (default: 5).
+            This accounts for the time required for newly submitted jobs to
+            become visible in the database. Set to 0 to disable initial delay.
+
         Returns
         -------
         DPSJob
@@ -254,14 +262,22 @@ def wait_for_completion(self):
         - Uses exponential backoff with max interval of 64 seconds
         - Maximum wait time is 48 hours (172800 seconds)
         - The job object is updated with final status upon completion
+        - Initial delay accounts for database visibility delay (~5 seconds)
 
         See Also
         --------
         :meth:`retrieve_status` : Check status without blocking
         :meth:`cancel_job` : Cancel a running job
         """
+        # Wait before first check to allow newly submitted jobs to appear in database
+        if initial_delay_seconds > 0:
+            logger.debug(f'Waiting {initial_delay_seconds} seconds before first status check')
+            time.sleep(initial_delay_seconds)
+
         self.retrieve_status()
-        if self.status.lower() in ["accepted", "running"]:
+        # Known terminal states and states that should trigger retries
+        terminal_states = ["succeeded", "failed", "dismissed", "deduped", "offline"]
+        if self.status.lower() not in terminal_states:
             logger.debug('Current Status is {}. Backing off.'.format(self.status))
             raise RuntimeError
         return self