Accreditation and licensing are among the few ways to compare treatment facilities from the outside. This page explains the organizations whose records appear on RehabSeekers listings, what each one does, and how their information is shown.
The Joint Commission (TJC)
The Joint Commission is an independent, non-profit organization founded in 1951 and headquartered in the United States. It is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting body in healthcare, accrediting over 20,000 programs. Their “Gold Seal of Approval” is a globally recognized symbol of a facility’s commitment to the highest clinical standards.
RehabSeekers shows Joint Commission accreditation where The Joint Commission lists the facility. Accreditation involves an on-site survey against the organization’s standards, so it is worth asking any facility you contact whether it holds it.
CARF International
Founded in 1966 and based in the United States, CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) is an international, non-profit accreditor focused on health and human services. Unlike general medical boards, CARF specializes in rehabilitation, ensuring that providers meet over 1,500 standards specifically tailored to behavioral health and addiction recovery across the globe.
RehabSeekers shows CARF accreditation where CARF’s public directory lists the facility. CARF’s standards focus on person-centered care, so accreditation is a useful question to raise when comparing programs.
LegitScript
LegitScript is a US-based verification and monitoring service that provides the healthcare industry’s only recognized certification for addiction treatment marketing. Established to combat predatory “patient brokering” and deceptive online ads, they vet the business practices and ownership transparency of rehab centers to ensure they operate ethically within the digital landscape.
RehabSeekers shows LegitScript certification where LegitScript lists the facility. Certification is not required to appear in the directory, and many licensed facilities do not hold it.
Care Quality Commission (CQC)
The Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator of all health and social care services in England, United Kingdom. They monitor, inspect, and regulate services to make sure they meet fundamental standards of quality and safety. Following an inspection, they publish a public rating—ranging from “Inadequate” to “Outstanding”—to hold providers accountable to the public.
For listings in England, RehabSeekers shows the facility’s CQC rating where the CQC publishes one. The rating comes from the CQC’s own inspection, not from RehabSeekers.
Joint Commission International (JCI)
Joint Commission International is the global arm of the US-based Joint Commission, dedicated to improving patient safety worldwide. Headquartered in the United States but operating in over 100 countries, JCI works with international hospitals and clinics to implement the same “Gold Seal” standards found in the most prestigious American medical institutions.
RehabSeekers shows JCI accreditation for international listings where JCI lists the facility. For anyone considering treatment abroad, JCI accreditation is one of the few standards that can be compared across countries.
NAATP (National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers)
The NAATP is a professional trade association based in the United States that has served as the voice of the addiction treatment industry since 1978. Unlike government regulators, NAATP is a membership-based organization that requires its members to adhere to a strict “Quality Assurance Guidebook” and a Code of Ethics to maintain their standing.
RehabSeekers shows NAATP membership where NAATP lists the facility. Membership means the facility has agreed to NAATP’s Code of Ethics. It is not an inspection.
State Licensing (e.g., CA DHCS, NY OASAS)
State health departments, such as the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) or the New York Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), are the primary government regulators for treatment facilities. Unlike voluntary accreditations, state licensure is a legal requirement. These agencies inspect facilities against the minimum safety and health standards set by state law.
RehabSeekers shows license details where the state licensing agency lists the facility. Licenses can change, so your state licensing agency is the source for a facility’s current status.
SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that leads federal public health efforts. SAMHSA maintains the Behavioral Health Services Information System (BHSIS), the definitive national database of treatment facilities. SAMHSA’s FindTreatment.gov locator draws on the same facility records.
US listings on RehabSeekers draw on SAMHSA’s treatment facility records. FindTreatment.gov lets you look up the same facility yourself.
NPI Registry (National Provider Identifier)
The National Provider Identifier (NPI) is a unique, 10-digit identification number issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Under HIPAA law, every healthcare provider—including hospitals, residential rehabs, and individual clinicians—must use their NPI for all administrative and financial transactions. This registry is the “Social Security Number” of the healthcare world, providing a permanent, traceable record of a facility’s existence and its medical specialty.
A facility’s NPI can be looked up on the NPPES website, which shows the registered organization behind the facility’s name.
ASAM Levels of Care
The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) has established the nation’s most widely used and comprehensive set of guidelines for placement, stay, and transfer of patients with addiction. Known as the “ASAM Criteria,” these standards describe a continuum of care through five broad levels (ranging from 0.5 for early intervention to 4.0 for medically managed intensive inpatient care). This common language helps doctors and insurers determine exactly what level of medical intensity a patient requires for a safe recovery.
Where a facility’s records list ASAM levels of care, RehabSeekers shows them. ASAM levels describe how intensive a program is, such as Level 3.5 clinically managed high-intensity residential services or Level 3.7 medically monitored intensive inpatient services, which can help you ask whether a program matches your needs.
EUDA (European Union Drugs Agency)
The European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA), formerly the EMCDDA, is the EU agency for information on drugs and addiction, based in Lisbon, Portugal. Under its 2024 mandate (Regulation (EU) 2023/1322), it provides scientific evidence, health alerts and technical analysis to EU member states.
RehabSeekers uses EUDA publications, including the Best Practice Portal and the EU minimum quality standards, as background for its European content. EUDA does not accredit individual facilities, so European listings show national licensing and accreditation where the relevant body lists the facility.
AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency)
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) works in partnership with the National Boards to regulate Australia’s registered health practitioners. AHPRA is responsible for the registration and accreditation of health professions across all Australian states and territories. Their primary mission is public safety, ensuring that doctors, nurses, and psychologists are suitably trained, qualified, and adhere to strict professional codes of conduct.
AHPRA registers individual health practitioners, not facilities. Where an Australian listing names clinicians, you can search the public AHPRA register to see their registration and any conditions on their practice.
NIH (National Institutes of Health)
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) leads the country’s efforts in medical and public health research. As part of the Department of Health and Human Services, they do their own research and also fund important scientific work around the world.
RehabSeekers uses NIH research as a source for its educational content on addiction and treatment.
NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse)
NIDA is the main federal group focused on using science to understand and treat drug use and addiction. They support most of the world’s research on how and why people use drugs, and they turn complicated findings into information that’s easy for everyone to use.
RehabSeekers follows NIDA’s Words Matter guidance on person-first language, and uses NIDA research as a source for its content on how substance use disorders develop and are treated.
NIAAA (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
The NIAAA is the main federal group studying how alcohol affects health. They research alcohol use disorders and create ways to prevent and treat them, offering helpful resources for both professionals and people who want to make changes.
RehabSeekers points readers to NIAAA resources such as Rethinking Drinking, which helps people look at their own drinking patterns.
Alcohol Justice
Alcohol Justice is an advocacy organization and industry watchdog that focuses on the social and legislative side of alcohol consumption. They organize community campaigns and research the harmful practices of the alcohol industry, aiming to protect public health through policy changes, increased regulation, and community-wide safety initiatives.
We support Alcohol Justice because recovery involves more than just individual effort; it requires a safe and supportive environment. Their work in monitoring industry influences provides our users with a broader perspective on the societal factors of addiction, helping to build a world that prioritizes public wellness over profit.
WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency)
The World Anti-Doping Agency is an international independent body that coordinates the fight against drugs in sports. By setting global standards and maintaining the prohibited substance list, WADA ensures fair play and protects the health of athletes worldwide through testing, scientific research, and extensive educational outreach programs.
RehabSeekers refers to WADA’s prohibited list in content for athletes, who may need to check whether a medication used in treatment is permitted in their sport.
HIRE Vets (U.S. Department of Labor)
HIRE Vets is a program from the U.S. Department of Labor that honors employers who hire and support military veterans. Companies can earn the HIRE Vets Medallion Award by showing they create good workplaces for veterans.
We support HIRE Vets because stable employment is a critical pillar of successful, long-term recovery. For the veterans using our directory, this resource points toward employers who truly value their service and offer the structured, supportive professional environments necessary to maintain a healthy and productive life after treatment.
WHO EMRO (Mental Health & Substance Use)
The WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office provides technical support and evidence-based interventions to improve mental health and manage substance use disorders. They focus on strengthening health systems and ensuring that mental health services are integrated into primary care, emphasizing human rights and social protection for all individuals.
RehabSeekers.com supports WHO EMRO because of their commitment to making mental health care accessible on a global scale. Their frameworks for “mental health for all” provide our international users with inclusive, culturally sensitive resources for people in different countries and circumstances.
GMHAN (Global Mental Health Action Network)
The Global Mental Health Action Network brings together people from around the world, including advocates, researchers, and those with lived experience. They work together to improve mental health policies and make sure people’s voices are heard.
RehabSeekers supports GMHAN’s work because it brings the voices of people with lived experience into mental health policy.
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
NAMI is the largest grassroots mental health organization in the United States, dedicated to building better lives for millions of people. They provide free education programs, support groups, and a national helpline, focusing on a “peer-to-peer” model where families and individuals help one another through shared experiences.
RehabSeekers points readers to NAMI because its free support groups and helpline offer local, peer-led support alongside clinical treatment.
The organizations above set the standards, run the registers and publish the research behind the information on RehabSeekers listings. Where one of them lists a facility, the listing shows it, so you can see what each detail is based on.
How RehabSeekers Uses Accreditation Information
RehabSeekers does not issue or award accreditations. Accreditation is shown on a listing only where the awarding body lists the facility in its public records. Accreditation availability varies by provider and location.
Take the Next Step Toward Healing
You can browse the directory by location, level of care and insurance, and each listing shows the licenses and accreditations its records include. Our Listing Guidelines explain where listing data comes from and how to report something out of date, and our About Us page introduces the team behind the directory. If you have questions about using the directory, please contact us.
If you or someone else is experiencing a medical emergency, overdose, or is in immediate danger, call 911 (or your local emergency services) immediately.
If you need confidential support for substance use or mental health concerns, you can also contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP) or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. These services are available 24/7 and can connect you with local treatment and support resources.
RehabSeekers is an informational directory and does not provide emergency or crisis services.
Choosing a treatment provider is an important decision. Look for factors such as state licensing, recognized accreditations, qualified clinical staff, evidence-based treatment programs, transparent pricing, and appropriate aftercare support. You should also verify information directly with the provider before beginning treatment.
RehabSeekers provides educational resources and directory listings to help you compare your options more confidently.
Listings draw on SAMHSA records, state licensing data, and accreditation records from bodies such as The Joint Commission and CARF, along with details facilities send us. We encourage you to confirm details directly with the provider before starting treatment.
Our educational content is developed using evidence-based research, government guidance, and recognized clinical resources whenever possible. We follow a published Editorial Policy that explains how our content is researched and updated to promote accuracy, transparency, and responsible health information.
Our mission is to help people understand their treatment options—not to replace professional medical advice.
Accreditation can be an important indicator of quality and accountability. Many respected treatment providers are accredited by organizations such as The Joint Commission or CARF, which evaluate facilities against recognized standards of care.
RehabSeekers explains the accreditations we recognize and why they may matter when comparing treatment providers, but accreditation should always be considered alongside factors such as licensing, clinical services, staff qualifications, and your individual treatment needs.