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Before placing a child in a facility or working with a professional, it’s important to verify their license and disciplinary history. This helps protect children from unsafe or unqualified care.
Checking Facility Licenses and Accreditation
Checking Facility Licenses and Accreditation
Texas Health & Human Services (HHS)
Texas Health & Human Services (HHS)
Covers residential treatment centers, group homes, and child-care operations.
Shows whether the facility is licensed, suspended, revoked, or exempt.
Includes inspection reports, violations, and complaint history.
Joint Commission
Joint Commission
Facilities can seek additional accreditation through The Joint Commission, a nonprofit that evaluates health care organizations across the U.S.
Accreditation does not replace state licensing!!! A facility can lose accreditation and still be licensed by the state.
CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities)
CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities)
CARF is another private accreditor. Facilities apply for CARF accreditation to show they meet certain standards for behavioral health and rehabilitation.
Council on Accreditation (COA)
Council on Accreditation (COA)
COA focuses on child and family services, including residential programs. It merged with the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities, but accreditation is still listed online.
Checking Individual Professionals
Many staff inside facilities (therapists, nurses, doctors, counselors) must hold valid state licenses.
You can verify them through the following boards:
Doctors (MO/DO)
Doctors (MO/DO)
The Texas Medical Board License Lookup Portal
Look up licenses and disciplinary actions.
See if the doctor has active restrictions, suspensions, or malpractice history.
Nurses (RN/LVN/NP)
Nurses (RN/LVN/NP)
The Texas Board of Nursing License Lookup Portal
Verify license status, renewals, or suspensions.
See disciplinary actions and past complaints.
Therapists, Counselors, Social Workers, Psychologists
Therapists, Counselors, Social Workers, Psychologists
These fall under the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC):
Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC)
Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)
Marriage & Family Therapists (LMFT)
Psychologists (PhD/PsyD)
Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council License Verification Portal
Teachers
Teachers
What to Look For:
Valid certificate in their teaching subject/grade
Expiration date: expired licenses mean the teacher may not be currently certified
Any disciplinary actions (if listed)
If the treatment center is running a charter school, the teachers should hold valid Texas educator credentials. If a facility employs unlicensed teachers, it may be a red flag.
Why This Matters
Staff with expired or revoked licenses should not be working in facilities.
Repeated violations may show a pattern of unsafe care.
Verifying a license helps protect children and hold professionals accountable.
Tips for Families and Advocates
Always verify both the facility AND the individuals working with your child.
Save a copy (screenshot or PDF) of search results.
If you find someone working without a valid license, report it immediately to the regulating board and Texas HHS.
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