How to Tell If a Rehab Facility Is Accredited starts with three simple steps: ask for the accrediting body’s name, check the facility’s status on that organization’s website, and confirm the state license separately. Accreditation is a private quality review, while a license is legal permission to operate. You need answers to both before choosing a rehab facility.
What Does Accreditation Mean for a Rehab Facility?
Accreditation means an independent national organization has reviewed a facility against published quality standards. CARF describes accreditation as a detailed review of whether services meet international quality standards.
Accreditation is a useful quality signal, but it does not promise a specific result. It cannot predict how one person will do in treatment, and it does not show whether a program is the right fit for your needs. Think of accreditation as one piece of evidence that an outside organization has reviewed how the facility operates.
Accreditation vs. State License: What Is the Difference?
A state license is legal permission to operate. Accreditation is a separate review by a private national organization. When comparing rehab facilities, ask about both.
In Maryland, community-based behavioral health programs are licensed under COMAR 10.63. Many program types must also meet accreditation requirements before they can be licensed. Rules depend on the program type, and requirements can change over time. Confirm current requirements with the Maryland Department of Health.
How to Tell If a Rehab Facility Is Accredited: Step by Step
The best way to verify accreditation is to check the accrediting organization yourself. Do not rely on a logo or claim on a facility’s website.
Here is how to tell if a rehab facility is accredited:
- Ask who accredited the facility. Get the accrediting organization’s full name. Do not settle for a general statement that the facility is “accredited.”
- Ask what the accreditation covers. Accreditation may apply only to certain programs or locations. Make sure it covers the specific program you would attend.
- Look for the accreditation seal, then verify it. CARF advises consumers to look for its seal or ask about accreditation. A seal on a website is a starting point, not proof.
- Check the accreditor’s own directory. CARF’s Find a Provider tool allows you to search by location and facility name and filter by program focus, including addiction. The Joint Commission also publishes accreditation information for organizations it accredits.
- Confirm the accreditation dates. Ask for the current accreditation period and make sure the dates match the information listed by the accrediting organization.
- Verify the state license separately. Ask for the facility’s license number and the issuing agency. Then confirm the information with the state.
If something does not match, contact the accrediting organization or state licensing agency directly. CARF also directs consumers with verification questions to contact the appropriate organization.
Which Accrediting Organizations Should Maryland Families Know?
CARF and The Joint Commission are two widely recognized accrediting organizations. Maryland state guidance published in 2017 named four approved accreditors: the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, CARF, the Council on Accreditation, and The Joint Commission.
The Valley’s guide to choosing a program recommends looking for a state-licensed program, ideally accredited by The Joint Commission or CARF. Because approved accreditors and requirements can change, confirm the current list with the Maryland Department of Health before relying on it.
What Red Flags Suggest a Problem?
Be cautious if a facility will not name its accreditor, cannot show a current license, or points only to an accreditation seal without giving you a way to verify it.
Watch for these warning signs:
- Vague answers such as “we’re fully accredited” without naming the organization
- A seal that does not appear in the accreditor’s directory
- Accreditation that covers a different program or location from the one you would attend
- No state license or a license number the facility will not share
- Pressure to decide before you have time to verify the information
Credentials are only one place where problems can appear. Our guide to five red flags at a Maryland recovery center covers staffing, timelines, and care quality. Our article on misleading housing arrangements explains how some programs advertise residential care they do not provide.
What Else Should You Check Besides Accreditation?
Ask about staff credentials, state inspection history, and whether the program matches your care needs. Accreditation does not answer all of these questions.
SAMHSA’s guidance on finding quality treatment recommends asking whether a facility has a state license in good standing, what training and licenses its staff have, and whether it has a record of positive state inspections.
Our guides on choosing an addiction treatment center and tips for picking a Maryland rehab center can help you turn these points into a list of questions. Our levels-of-care guide explains what each level of treatment involves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an accredited rehab better than a non-accredited one?
Not automatically. Accreditation shows that an outside organization reviewed the program against specific standards, but it does not predict your individual treatment outcome. Compare accreditation with state licensure, staff credentials, inspection history, and how well the program fits your needs.
Is accreditation required in Maryland?
For many community-based behavioral health programs, Maryland connects licensure requirements with accreditation. The exact requirement depends on the program type. Ask the facility about its requirements and confirm them with the Maryland Department of Health.
Does accreditation expire?
Accreditation is reviewed periodically so that it can lapse or change. Ask the facility for its current accreditation dates and confirm them through the accrediting organization’s website.
Where can I find state-licensed treatment?
SAMHSA’s FindTreatment.gov can help you locate treatment facilities and provides a free, confidential helpline at 1-800-662-4357. Always confirm a specific facility’s license with the appropriate state agency.
Ready to Ask Your Questions?
Call The Valley at 301-355-7455, email info@thevalleymd.com, or use the contact page to discuss your questions. Whatever program you consider, knowing how to tell if a rehab facility is accredited can help you make a more informed choice. You can also review our addiction treatment services.
This article provides general information. Licensing rules can change, so confirm current requirements with the Maryland Department of Health.
