How do I check whether a treatment center is licensed and accredited?
From the RecoveryHome team. We write some questions from situations people often ask us about, and answer them with general information from public health sources. Been through this yourself? Your answer could help the next person who finds this page. How we write team posts
RH
RecoveryHome team Team
asked 2 days ago
Anyone can build a polished website. How can families verify that a treatment program is legitimate?
RH
RecoveryHome team Team
answered 2 days ago · general information, not medical advice
Check four things before you commit:
- State license. Ask for the license number, then look it up with your state's substance use or behavioral health licensing agency. Licensed programs are also listed at FindTreatment.gov, the federal locator run by SAMHSA.
- Accreditation. The Joint Commission and CARF are the two main accrediting bodies, and both have public lookup tools on their websites.
- Credentials of the people providing care. Ask how many licensed clinicians, such as doctors, nurses, licensed counselors, and therapists, are on staff.
- Complaints. Search the program's name with your state's attorney general or health department, and read news coverage.
Red flags: they won't give a license number, the name on the phone doesn't match the website, they offer free travel or free housing, or they pressure you to decide immediately.
Every listing on RecoveryHome shows licensing and accreditation information from public data where it's available.
Read more: Red flags in a treatment center
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