How long does a BrightStar Care franchisee have to obtain Joint Commission Accreditation after applying?
Brightstar_Care Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You need not have experience in the healthcare industry before acquiring your Agency franchise. You initially must obtain whatever licensure is required to perform Companion and Personal inhome care services in your state. Once you achieve $15,000/week in weekly revenue (although we make no representation how long this will take or whether it will occur as this relates to a unique combination of territory, competition, salesperson performance, national accounts opportunities, and operational execution by you) or have been open for one year (whichever occurs first), you must apply for Joint Commission Accreditation and, within 6 months following application for Accreditation, obtain Accreditation as well as licensure that enables you to perform the full BrightStar Care business model. If attaining skilled licensure in your state is delayed due to unpreventable administrative licensing issues at the state licensing authority, then an additional period of time not to exceed 6 months post-skilled license issuance will be allowed to obtain Joint Commission Accreditation. You must maintain your licenses and Joint Commission Accreditation in good standing while adhering to all rules, standards and regulations of your licenses and accreditation throughout the Franchise Agreement's term, including paying all licensure and accreditation dues and fees on time. The majority of our current franchisees have no prior healthcare industry experience. You should investigate the availability in your state of all required licenses before acquiring our franchise.
Source: Item 1 — THE FRANCHISOR, AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS, AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 9–14)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to BrightStar Care's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee must apply for Joint Commission Accreditation once they achieve $15,000 per week in revenue or have been open for one year, whichever comes first. After applying, the franchisee has six months to obtain the accreditation.
However, there is a provision for an extension. If attaining the necessary skilled licensure in the franchisee's state is delayed due to administrative licensing issues at the state licensing authority, BrightStar Care will allow an additional period of time, not exceeding six months after the skilled license issuance, to obtain Joint Commission Accreditation.
It is important to note that franchisees must maintain their licenses and Joint Commission Accreditation in good standing throughout the term of the Franchise Agreement. This includes adhering to all rules, standards, and regulations, as well as paying all licensure and accreditation dues and fees on time. Prospective franchisees should investigate the availability of all required licenses in their state before acquiring a BrightStar Care franchise.