Rehab Centers That Are COA Accredited

Council on Accreditation (COA), a service of Social Current, is a leading choice for Certified Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) that want to become accredited. CCBHCs are clinics that provide mental health services and substance abuse treatment. COA accreditation is a trusted indicator of high standards and quality services that demonstrate a rehab center has met rigorous criteria, including established standards.

Earning this mark of distinction helps reassure patients that they’ll get the best possible care, while treatment providers benefit from a well-defined structure that supports continuous improvement.

Understanding the value of COA accreditation can greatly impact your choice of rehab center, so this article provides insights into why it’s important, how it works and the many benefits.

COA is an independent, international nonprofit that accredits social and human services providers. Through its mission to advocate for and implement equitable solutions to society’s toughest challenges, COA strives to ignite change so all people may thrive. COA sets high research-based standards and performs meticulous performance evaluations, earning its recognition for its vital role in behavioral health accreditation, among others.

The COA definition of accreditation is “a rigorous process for organizations that helps ensure infusion of best practice in service delivery, administration and management of programs, supports continuous improvement and often provides regulatory/licensing relief and/or access to governmental funding streams.”

Organizations that choose COA truly benefit from the accreditation process and a thorough review that helps them meet best practices so individuals seeking help feel confident they’re choosing a trustworthy, reputable substance abuse treatment option.

COA was founded in 1977 by Family Service America (now the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities) and the Child Welfare League of America. It initially concentrated on child welfare organizations but quickly expanded to serve a broad range of human service agencies, including rehab centers. Over the years, it introduced specialized accreditation programs, reflecting its evolving commitment to meet the needs of diverse communities. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has recognized COA as an approved accrediting body for SAMHSA Certified Opioid Treatment Programs since its inception in 2001. COA has been accrediting office-based opioid treatment since 2021.

Following a nine-month integration process, COA and the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities joined forces in October 2021 and rebranded to Social Current. As of early 2025, COA accredits more than 1,700 organizations and programs serving more than 11 million individuals and families across all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico, six Canadian provinces and military bases around the world.

Throughout the years, COA has held to its purpose of setting high standards measured against international standards of best practice. Its accreditation process ensures objective, reliable verification that programs and organizations deserve the support of their stakeholders and the confidence of patients seeking services.

COA accreditation plays a crucial role in ensuring organizations maintain treatment quality and rehab care standards for substance abuse and behavioral health issues. It’s backed by comprehensive guidelines that help rehab centers stay focused on ethical and effective care. By embracing best practice standards and continuous quality improvement, COA-accredited centers commit to proven methods that encourage better outcomes. These methods ensure patients receive the attention and therapies they need in environments dedicated to integrity and positive change.

When a rehab facility is COA-accredited, it shows it has met COA’s stringent criteria for excellence. This accreditation gives patients and families a sense of security because they know the center has undergone a thorough evaluation and meets rigorous quality standards. Patients and families can also feel reassured that the rehab center delivers culturally competent services in a safe, respectful environment by appropriately trained staff. People feel more comfortable seeking help when they trust the facility’s commitment to protecting their privacy, including them in the decision-making process and supporting positive outcomes.

Many rehab centers face challenges with insurance approval, regulatory compliance and acceptance from third-party payers. COA accreditation helps them overcome these challenges by demonstrating that an organization adheres to rigorous operational and clinical standards. Through this formal recognition, facilities can satisfy specific insurer prerequisites and government mandates that might otherwise delay or prevent payment. It makes treatment more accessible to patients who rely on insurance while protecting organizations from legal risks.

COA accreditation isn’t something an organization completes once and they’re done. It’s a process that encourages ongoing self-assessment, feedback and implementation of new strategies. This focus on continuous improvement helps rehab centers adapt to evolving best practices and emerging research, ensuring they always offer the most advanced and reliable care possible. By consistently monitoring and refining services, accredited centers maintain a high level of quality that benefits providers and patients alike.

The entire accreditation process usually takes private and Canadian programs 12 to 18 months to complete. However, a public agency can expect the accreditation process to take 18 to 48 months, depending on its size and the accreditation process option chosen. The following offers a general breakdown of the process.

Rehab centers prepare for accreditation with a self-assessment to gauge how well they already meet COA standards. This assessment involves reviewing current policies, procedures and documentation to determine what changes might be necessary. Facilities often form internal committees and schedule staff training to make sure everyone understands COA requirements and best practices. By taking time to prepare thoroughly, centers can spot any gaps, fix them and ensure their teams are ready to officially begin a successful COA accreditation process.

Once a facility feels prepared, it completes a formal application through COA. This step typically includes submitting detailed organizational information, policies and a self-study that demonstrates alignment with COA’s guidelines. After reviewing these materials, COA coordinates an on-site review performed by a team of reviewers.

During the visit, these experts spend time meeting with staff and leadership, examining case records and safety measures, and assessing the overall environment. Their goal is to confirm that the rehab center’s daily operations match its written policies and consistently offer top-quality care.

Following the site visit, COA compiles an in-depth rating report based on its findings and another document called a Pre-Commission Review (PCR). The PCR highlights any areas that don’t fully meet accreditation criteria and recommends improvements if needed. The rehab center gets a chance to address these points before COA’s final review committee makes an accreditation decision and delivers a Final Accreditation Report with ratings. If the facility meets or exceeds COA’s standards, it’s awarded accreditation. Otherwise, it may have to develop and implement a plan to correct any issues before attempting to secure approval again.

COA accreditation is usually valid for four years from the date of achievement, but SAMHSA mandates that opioid treatment programs be accredited for just three years. Rehab centers must demonstrate ongoing adherence to COA standards by staying current with any changes and continuously assessing their own operations. They must maintain detailed records, submit annual reports proving they’re adhering to COA standards and undergo periodic re-evaluations to remain accredited.

SAMHSA’s 2023 CCBHC Certification Criteria encourages states to require accreditation by an independent accrediting body as part of their certification requirements. As more states add this requirement to their certification process, COA can ensure CCBHCs meet this requirement and implement all of SAMHSA’s certification criteria. Here are some additional benefits of COA accreditation.

COA accreditation is closely tied to better patient outcomes and improved treatment success rates. Because strict performance standards guide accredited rehab centers, they’re more likely to implement evidence-based therapies that lead to higher recovery rates.

The American Society of Addiction Medicine recognizes ongoing maintenance medication combined with appropriate psychosocial treatment as the ideal standard for treating opioid use disorder. The National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s 2024 CCBHC Impact Report found that 80% of CCBHC’s provide some form of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder. COA accreditation includes best practice standards to accredit providers offering MAT, supporting access to programs providing this evidence-based treatment.

Accreditation may increase funding opportunities as donors often prefer or even require accreditation when determining grant recipients. Accreditation can also be advantageous by making organizations eligible for public agency contracts and higher reimbursement rates where applicable. In addition to securing funding, accreditation can help rehab centers form strategic partnerships with healthcare organizations that strengthen their ability to service their communities. Access to increased funding resources and partnerships boosts a center’s long-term sustainability and supports continuous growth.

An accredited facility is committed to staff development, clinical excellence and COA standards, all of which drive ongoing training and professional growth. The accreditation process itself provides structured guidance to build a skilled, knowledgeable team. By reinforcing best practices and continuous learning, COA-accredited centers support professionals who can adapt to new research findings and deliver high-quality care that supports patient recovery and continued accreditation.

COA accreditation solidifies a rehab center’s reputation as a trustworthy provider committed to upholding the highest standards. When patients and their families see that a facility has earned this mark of excellence, they’re more likely to trust the center’s methods and staff, attracting more clients seeking high-quality care. This recognition also builds credibility with the broader community, including donors, healthcare partners and regulatory agencies. It shows that the facility values transparency and consistent improvement, essential qualities for any organization that strives to make a lasting difference.

Research and identify a COA-accredited rehab center using its official accredited organization directory. This online tool lets you search by organization name or location, making finding a facility that fits your specific needs simple. Be sure to verify the listing details and reach out directly to confirm the center’s current accreditation status.

RehabNet also uses COA accreditation as a key factor when recommending facilities, as outlined in its explanation of how it chooses rehab providers. RehabNet’s high-quality standards include thorough evaluations of treatment approaches, staff qualifications and organizational policies. This criteria aligns with COA’s focus on continuous quality improvement and ensures you’ll find centers that meet strict criteria for ethical, reliable treatment.

COA accreditation proves a rehab center is committed to high-quality treatment, safety and ongoing improvement. An accredited facility follows recognized standards designed to protect patients and ensure effective care, which helps boost trust and promote better treatment outcomes. Whether you’re seeking help for yourself or a loved one, choosing an accredited rehab center can make a real difference.

Learn more by reviewing COA’s accreditation details on the Social Current website. You can also research rehab centers with accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities or the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, which also require high standards for patient care and organizational excellence.

Looking for an accredited substance abuse treatment center? Contact RehabNet and let us help you find COA-accredited facilities dedicated to your successful recovery.