CARF Concussion Rehabilitation Accreditation: Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: October 2026
Expert answers to the questions concussion and mild TBI rehabilitation programs ask most when preparing for CARF accreditation. IHS is a specialized healthcare accreditation consulting firm led by Thomas G. Goddard, JD, PhD, former COO and General Counsel of URAC.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CARF Concussion Rehabilitation accreditation?
A specialty credential within CARF's Medical Rehabilitation Standards recognizing programs providing structured, evidence-based rehabilitation for concussion and mild TBI. Accredited programs deliver interdisciplinary assessment addressing the cognitive, vestibular, visual, psychological and physical parts of the symptom complex. CARF's published description names return to school, work and sport as aims (CARF, 2026 Medical Rehabilitation Program Descriptions, page opened October 4, 2026).
What programs qualify?
Hospital-based concussion clinics, sports medicine concussion programs, outpatient neurorehabilitation programs, military and veteran concussion programs, pediatric concussion clinics, and collegiate athletic concussion programs. Programs must deliver structured interdisciplinary concussion rehabilitation meeting CARF specialty standards.
Does CARF require return-to-activity protocols?
CARF's published description of its Concussion Rehabilitation Program names return to school, work and sport as aims and does not name protocols (CARF, 2026 Medical Rehabilitation Program Descriptions, page opened October 4, 2026). IHS can help a program write evidence-based RTA protocols for sport, school, work and daily activities, drawing on current consensus (Concussion in Sport Group, CDC materials), and record the protocol in use, the current stage, the criteria for moving on and any change with its reason.
Does CARF name symptom monitoring tools?
Not in CARF's published description of its Concussion Rehabilitation Program, which names no symptom scales (CARF, 2026 Medical Rehabilitation Program Descriptions, page opened October 4, 2026). IHS can help a program choose a validated scale, such as the SCAT6, PCSS or Rivermead PCSQ, give it at set intervals and record it so the results guide return-to-activity decisions.
What interdisciplinary assessment should a program document?
CARF's description calls for interdisciplinary services (CARF, 2026 Medical Rehabilitation Program Descriptions, page opened October 4, 2026). IHS helps a program document assessment across the symptom complex: cognitive or neuropsychological, vestibular, visual and oculomotor, physical therapy (exertional and cervicogenic) and psychological screening, with joint review of findings, coordinated treatment planning and recorded communication across disciplines.
How much does accreditation cost?
CARF gives a survey fee estimate when asked, and the fee turns on the surveyor count and survey length. The CARF pages we reviewed do not say whether an annual fee applies (CARF, Steps to accreditation, page opened October 4, 2026). Verify current fees with CARF.
How long does the process take?
12 to 18 months. Programs with existing protocols but weak documentation infrastructure: 12 to 15 months. Programs without structured RTA protocols: full 18 months. IHS plans several months of use under the new systems before the survey. The CARF pages we reviewed set no minimum period (CARF, Accreditation decisions, page opened October 4, 2026).
What are the most common deficiencies?
(1) RTA decisions without documented protocol. (2) Symptom monitoring tools used inconsistently. (3) Multiple disciplines operating without documented coordination. (4) Return-to-learn/return-to-work not documented. (5) Outcome data collected but not used in QI.
How should a program handle cognitive assessment?
CARF's program description does not name cognitive tests. For athletes, military personnel or other groups with baseline testing, IHS can help a program compare baseline and post-injury results from computerized or traditional neuropsychological tests. Other programs can document a post-injury cognitive evaluation. Either way the results go into return-to-activity decisions.
How should a program document return to learn and return to work?
CARF's description names return to school and work among the program's aims (CARF, 2026 Medical Rehabilitation Program Descriptions, page opened October 4, 2026). IHS helps a program record communication with schools or employers, accommodation recommendations and cognitive tolerance monitoring during re-entry, structured and documented like return-to-sport protocols.
Which outcome measures fit a concussion program?
CARF's program description names no outcome measures. IHS can help a program track symptom resolution, time to full return to activity, referral rates for higher-level care and patient satisfaction at set time points, and review the data in quality improvement.
How does CARF handle psychological assessment?
CARF's published description of its Concussion Rehabilitation Program does not name screening tools (CARF, 2026 Medical Rehabilitation Program Descriptions, page opened October 3, 2026). Its standards are in the Medical Rehabilitation Standards Manual, which CARF sells. IHS can help a program screen for depression, anxiety and sleep problems with validated tools, such as the PHQ-9, GAD-7 or PSQI, and document how positive screens lead to psychological services and into treatment and return-to-activity decisions.
Is this accreditation relevant for pediatric programs?
Yes. Pediatric and combined pediatric/adult programs can hold this credential. IHS helps pediatric programs choose age-appropriate validated instruments and give school re-entry and return-to-learn planning extra attention.
How does this relate to military and veteran programs?
If your program serves veterans under a VA contract, check whether the contract names an accreditor. IHS can help such a program build interdisciplinary protocols for people with both combat mTBI and PTSD.
How does IHS structure concussion rehabilitation engagements?
Five phases: (1) Gap Assessment including RTA protocols, symptom monitoring, interdisciplinary coordination, cognitive assessment, and outcomes. (2) Protocol and System Architecture. (3) Implementation and data collection launch. (4) Mock Survey with full protocol documentation audit. (5) Final Preparation. Led personally by Thomas G. Goddard, JD, PhD.
How can I find a CARF accredited program for brain injury or concussion?
CARF's Medical Rehabilitation page lists a Concussion Rehabilitation Program among the program types its Medical Rehabilitation standards manual covers, and lists Brain Injury as a specialty designation that can be added to other program types (CARF, Medical Rehabilitation, page opened October 6, 2026). CARF's Find a Provider page asks for a location first, then lets you narrow results by provider or program name and by filters that include a Concussion Rehabilitation Program area and a Brain Injury program focus (CARF, Find a Provider, page opened October 6, 2026). Treat a listing as a starting point and ask the provider which programs and designations its accreditation covers.