The Joint Commission

What The Joint Commission does

The Joint Commission is a private, non-profit healthcare accreditation and certification organization headquartered in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois. Founded in 1951 as the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and renamed in 2007, it accredits and certifies approximately 15,000 healthcare organizations in the United States and serves more than 24,000 organizations globally through its wholly-owned subsidiary Joint Commission International (JCI). The organization is led by President and CEO Jonathan B. Perlin, MD, PhD, and operates additional subsidiaries including Joint Commission Resources (JCR) for advisory, education, and publications.

The Joint Commission generates revenue through multiple streams: annual and subscription accreditation fees, certification fees, products and services (software, publications, education, advisory), and verification services. Pricing is structured around facility size and service scope, with fees typically tied to average daily census and bed count. The customer base spans hospitals, ambulatory care, behavioral health, home care, nursing facilities, and telehealth providers. The technology platform includes an Advanced Data Analytics Platform leveraging AI/ML for survey consistency and predictive analytics, the SAFER Matrix for risk stratification, and the Tracer Methodology for on-site evaluation.

The Joint Commission holds a unique position in U.S. healthcare because its accreditation is accepted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and most state agencies as a condition of Medicare/Medicaid participation and licensure. The organization has been expanding its scope through new product launches including Accreditation 360 (2025) and Outcomes-Driven Certification with the National Quality Forum (2025), while pursuing new partnerships with groups such as the Alzheimer's Association, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).

Name

The Joint Commission

Legal name

Joint Commission

Website

https://jointcommission.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1951

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

The Joint Commission is a private non-profit healthcare accreditation and certification body that evaluates roughly 15,000 U.S. healthcare organizations and over 24,000 globally, serving as the de facto credentialing standard for Medicare participation and operating subsidiaries JCR and JCI.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Accreditation Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (541380), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (541690), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Accreditation Standards, Benchmarking & Framework Organizations (EDADACAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF), International/Transnational Accreditation & Recognition Bodies (EDADACAG), Accreditation Coordination, Recognition & Meta-Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAH), Standards, Metrology & Accreditation Bodies (BPAIAOAC)

Keywords

• Healthcare accreditation services
• Quality standards compliance
• Patient safety certification
• Performance measurement programs
• Healthcare quality improvement

Headquarters

HQ city

Oak Brook

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel

Revenue model

1. Accreditation Fees: Accreditation fees calculated based on services provided and average daily census. Two components: annual fees invoiced each year during accreditation cycle, and on-site survey fees invoiced during survey year.
2. Certification Fees: Certification fees for clinical programs and disease-specific care certifications. Organizations achieving certification receive The Gold Seal of Approval.
3. Products & Services: Revenue from software solutions (Joint Commission Connect, eProducts, ORO 2.0, TST, LMS, DDSP), publications (standards manuals, books, periodicals), education events, online education, custom education, and advisory services.
4. Verification Services: Assessment of organization's capability to provide appropriate care for patient conditions, evaluating compliance with adopted industry standards.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Joint Commission is the leading U.S. healthcare accreditation and certification body. It evaluates healthcare organizations against evidence-based performance standards, awarding the Gold Seal of Approval to accredited organizations and certified clinical programs. The organization also sells supporting software platforms (ORO 2.0, TST, DDSP, eProducts), standards manuals, advisory services, education programs, and the Learning Management System to help organizations maintain compliance and continuous readiness.

Product overview

The Joint Commission offers a comprehensive portfolio of healthcare quality and safety solutions centered around its core accreditation and certification programs. The accreditation program provides objective evaluation of healthcare organizations' compliance with performance standards, while the certification program assesses specific clinical programs or services. Supporting these core offerings is a suite of integrated software platforms including Joint Commission Connect (extranet portal), ORO 2.0 (reporting and optimization), the Targeted Solutions Tool, the Direct Data Submission Platform for ORYX performance measurement, Learning Management System, eProducts software solutions, and the Digital Learning Center. The organization also provides Advisory Services, Standards Manuals, the Impact 360 Learning Series for survey preparation, and Verification assessments. In 2025, The Joint Commission launched Accreditation 360 (a transformational approach leveraging technology and data analytics) and Outcomes-Driven Certification (in partnership with NQF focusing on patient-centered outcomes).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ORYX: Performance measurement initiative that integrates performance measurement data into the accreditation process.
• Joint Commission Connect
• UNIFY
• Accreditation 360

Products and services

• Healthcare Organization Accreditation Objective evaluation process that helps healthcare organizations measure, assess, and improve performance to provide safe, high-quality care. Awarded with the Gold Seal of Approval; covers hospitals, ambulatory care, behavioral health, critical access hospitals, home care, nursing care centers, laboratories, assisted living communities, and telehealth providers.
• Disease-Specific Care Certification Certification review process for specific clinical programs and disease-specific care, including cardiac certifications (acute myocardial infarction, chest pain, heart failure, Comprehensive Cardiac Center, etc.), stroke certifications (Acute Stroke Ready Hospital through Comprehensive Stroke Center), orthopedic certifications (hip fracture, joint replacement, spine surgery), Maternal Levels of Care Verification, and Advanced Certification in Perinatal Care.
• Outcomes-Driven Certification An innovative outcomes-driven certification program developed in partnership with the National Quality Forum (NQF) that focuses on patient-centered outcomes measures and data-based benchmarking.
• Verification Assessment of an organization's capability to provide appropriate care for a patient's condition, evaluating that healthcare services are compliant with adopted industry standards without requiring data submission on performance measures.
• Joint Commission Connect (JC Connect) Secure online portal (extranet) for accredited organizations to manage accreditation and certification activities, access key documents, and communicate directly with their Joint Commission team.
• ORO 2.0 Online reporting and optimization tool for accreditation management.
• Targeted Solutions Tool (TST) A targeted solutions tool for identifying and addressing performance improvement opportunities.
• Direct Data Submission Platform (DDSP) Dedicated data submission platform for accredited organizations with ORYX Performance Measurement requirements.
• Learning Management System (LMS) Convenient access to all purchased Online Education content and conference materials for continuing education.
• eProducts Software Solutions Innovative software solutions that help healthcare organizations work smarter, faster, and better through various digital tools.
• Digital Learning Center (DLC) A comprehensive virtual learning service providing select webinars, e-books, newsletters, and other resources with customizable education updated by experts.
• Advisory Services Clinical, operational, and technical advisory services backed by decades of real-world healthcare experience to help organizations enhance quality, improve patient safety, reduce risk, and build sustainable, high-performing cultures.
• Standards Manuals The latest Joint Commission accreditation and certification standards available as printed or digital manuals (including E-dition electronic standards manual platform).
• ORYX Performance Measurement Initiative that integrates performance measurement data into the accreditation process, allowing organizations to submit standardized performance measures for internal quality improvement.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 15,000 healthcare organizations accredited in the US alone
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004Since 2004, OSHA and Joint Commission/Joint Commission Resources have maintained an Alliance to provide healthcare organizations with information, guidance, and access to resources that help protect worker health and safety, and understand worker rights and employer responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
• American Heart AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint Commission partners with American Heart Association on cardiac certifications including Basic certifications (acute myocardial infarction, chest pain, heart failure) and Advanced certifications (Comprehensive Cardiac Center, Comprehensive Heart Attack Center, Advanced Heart Failure, Acute Heart Attack Ready, Primary Heart Attack Center, Ventricular Assist Device). Also collaborates with American Stroke Association on stroke certifications at multiple levels (Acute Stroke Ready Hospital, Primary Stroke Center, Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center, Comprehensive Stroke Center).
• Alzheimer's AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint Commission collaborated with Alzheimer's Association to develop Memory Care certification for nursing care centers accredited under Joint Commission's Nursing Care Center Accreditation program. Certification aims to minimize risks and improve care for patients with all levels of cognitive impairment.
• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint Commission partners with AAOS for orthopedic certifications including hip fracture, joint replacement (hip, knee, shoulder), spinal fusion, spine surgery, and total hip and knee replacement. AAOS is a trusted leader advancing orthopaedic care.
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACOG is dedicated to advancing women's health care through continuing medical education, practice, research, and advocacy. Joint Commission offers Maternal Levels of Care Verification and Advanced Certification in Perinatal Care in collaboration with ACOG.
• National Quality Forum (NQF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNQF is a not-for-profit organization that unites healthcare stakeholders to enhance care quality and outcomes. Joint Commission collaborates with NQF to develop measures improving patient safety, streamline data collection, and prioritize patient-centered results. Also partnering on outcomes-driven certification program.
• Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (AABB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAABB represents individuals and institutions involved in transfusion medicine and biotherapies. Joint Commission offers Patient Blood Management Certification based on AABB standards to help hospitals implement comprehensive programs improving outcomes for patients who might need blood transfusions.
• National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint Commission has a strategic alliance with NAHQ to advance global healthcare quality and safety. The alliance combines Joint Commission's leadership in enabling highest standards with NAHQ's leadership in defining competencies and developing the healthcare quality workforce.
• American Hospital AssociationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint Commission developed Cyber Resilience Readiness certification in collaboration with American Hospital Association to help hospitals assess and strengthen their ability to maintain safe clinical operations during cyber-related technology outages.
• ARCHANGELSmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerARCHANGELS is a national movement reframing how caregivers are seen, honored, and supported. Joint Commission and ARCHANGELS launched the Care Badge initiative to honor, support, and create upward mobility for unpaid caregivers, leveraging ARCHANGELS' work with states, employers, health systems with Joint Commission's focus on patient safety and quality.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• DNV Healthcare: DNV Healthcare is a CMS-deemed accreditor competing directly with Joint Commission for acute-care hospital accreditation. It differentiates through ISO 9001 integration and has steadily gained share in the same hospital customer base served by Joint Commission.
• Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP): HFAP is a CMS-deemed hospital accreditation program that competes head-to-head with Joint Commission for acute-care and critical-access hospital customers. Operates under the same regulatory umbrella and uses a comparable survey methodology.
• Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC): ACHC is a CMS-deemed accreditor focused on home health, hospice, and ambulatory settings. It directly competes with Joint Commission's Home Care and Ambulatory segments and offers similar specialty certification programs.
• Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC): AAAHC accredits ambulatory and office-based surgery centers, directly competing with Joint Commission's Ambulatory Health Care accreditation program. It is the leading specialty accreditor in the outpatient segment where Joint Commission also plays.
• CARF International: CARF accredits behavioral health, rehabilitation, and human services organizations, overlapping directly with Joint Commission's Behavioral Health Care & Human Services segment. Both compete for the same treatment-provider customers.

Broad incumbents

• National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA): NCQA is a leading healthcare quality accreditation body focused on health plans, ACOs, and patient-centered medical homes. While not directly competing on hospital accreditation, it is a broader incumbent in healthcare quality oversight and frequently co-appears in customer conversations.
• URAC: URAC accredits health plans, specialty pharmacies, and telehealth providers. It overlaps with Joint Commission's Telehealth segment and provides a broader portfolio of healthcare accreditation programs in adjacent verticals.
• ISO (International Organization for Standardization): ISO provides quality management standards (e.g., ISO 9001) used across healthcare globally, and DNV Healthcare integrates ISO into its accreditation. ISO represents the broader standards umbrella that frames Joint Commission's accreditation framework.

Others

• Joint Commission International (JCI): JCI is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Joint Commission and operates the international accreditation franchise under the same Gold Seal of Approval brand. It is included as a related entity to illustrate the global extension of the Joint Commission enterprise rather than as an independent peer.

Emerging players

• CHAI (Consortium for Healthcare AI and Quality): CHAI is an emerging standards and certification body focused specifically on AI in healthcare, including model assurance and trustworthy AI deployment. As AI-enabled care grows, CHAI represents an emerging quality-assurance player whose scope intersects Joint Commission's newer technology-enabled accreditation programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/joint-commission

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Joint Commission