TRENTON, N.J. — The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) has earned national reaccreditation from the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB), reaffirming the state’s commitment to quality improvement, public health services, and accountability.
The announcement, made last week, marks the second time NJDOH has been accredited by PHAB. The department was originally accredited in 2017. To maintain its status, NJDOH underwent a comprehensive review against nationally recognized, evidence-based standards.
“Maintaining our accreditation reflects this department’s ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality public health services,” Acting Health Commissioner Jeff Brown said. “This recognition highlights our team’s hard work and our continuous efforts to enhance and improve the health and well-being of all New Jersey residents.”
NJDOH is one of only 40 state health departments accredited by PHAB nationwide, joining more than 400 local and several Tribal health departments recognized for meeting the board’s rigorous standards. In New Jersey, six local departments also hold PHAB accreditation, including the Princeton Health Department, which achieved reaccreditation this month.
PHAB accreditation is considered the gold standard in public health, measuring an agency’s ability to meet the 10 Essential Public Health Services and demonstrate core capabilities.
“The PHAB reaccreditation decision for the department is a testament to the hard work and dedication of its staff who are committed to providing quality programs and services to the residents of New Jersey,” said Loretta Kelly, NJDOH reaccreditation lead.
Accreditation helps departments set priorities, guide improvements, and deliver measurable outcomes in community health. It also signals transparency and a commitment to excellence, according to PHAB.
“We are pleased to see the New Jersey Department of Health, along with many others, successfully maintaining their five-year PHAB accreditation,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, PHAB president and CEO. “This demonstrates that accreditation is not just a one-time achievement but an ongoing commitment to excellence.”
In addition to the state department, the following local health departments in New Jersey are PHAB-accredited:
- Camden County Health Department (Blackwood)
- Clifton Health Department (Clifton)
- Monmouth County Regional Health Commission #1 (Ocean)
- Montgomery Township Health Department (Belle Mead)
- Princeton Health Department (Princeton) – reaccredited May 2025
- Township of Bloomfield Department of Health & Human Services (Bloomfield) – reaccredited May 2023
Separately, the Mount Olive Township Health Department was awarded the PHAB Pathways Acknowledgement in April. The Pathways program supports smaller health departments preparing for full accreditation by assessing foundational public health capabilities.
PHAB is the only national accrediting body for public health departments in the U.S. It is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
