What Does Certified Urgent Care Mean? 

Consumers have come to associate urgent care centers with walk-in convenience and after-hours availability for illness and injury requiring immediate, but not emergency, care. However, there is still wide variation in the delivery model of America’s 8,000 urgent care centers. 

The Certified Urgent Care (CUC) designation was created in part to assist the payer community in identifying urgent care facilities whose operating model is consistent with consumer expectations for urgent care. Certified facilities meet or exceed specific criteria established by the Urgent Care Association of America. 

Criteria for CUC Designation 

• Facility must advertise and accept walk-in patients of all ages for a broad spectrum of illness, injury and disease during all operating hours.
  • Pediatric specialty centers are exempt from age requirements if pediatric-only specialization is included in the name of the facility.  
• Facility must have the following available on-site during all posted hours:
  • X-ray Services
  • Laboratory Services with many lab tests performed
  • Provider with required licenses and on-site resources to:
    • Administer advanced cardiac life support in an emergency, while 911 is called
    • Obtain and read an EKG and x-ray
    • Administer PO, IM and IV medication and fluids
    • Perform minor procedures (ie. Sutures, cyst removal, incision and drainage, splinting)
  • Equipment available and staff trained in its use:
    • Automated external defibrillator (AED)
    • Oxygen ambu-bag / oral airway
    • Drug cart stocked appropriately for patient population (determined by facility)
    • Working phone to dial 911 
• Facility must have two or more exam rooms, a separate waiting area, and restricted access patient restrooms
• Facility must have a licensed physician (MD/DO) designated as the facility medical director who is responsible for overall clinical quality
• Minimum hours of operation (must meet all three criteria):
  • Open 7 days a week (not including holidays)
  • Open 4 or more hours each day
  • Open for 3,000 hours per year 

This facility will either be a Category 1 or Category 2 Urgent Care Center

• Category 1 – (MD/DO on-site during all posted hours of operation
• Category 2 – licensed providers (MD/DO/NP/PA) on-site during all posted hours of operation

The Urgent Care Association of America (UCAOA) was founded in 2004 and represents over 3,200 professionals working in urgent care.