What are crisis pregnancy centers and how are they different from medical clinics?

Crisis pregnancy centers (also called CPCs or sometimes “fake clinics”) may look like medical clinics, but many are not licensed or regulated healthcare providers. Knowing the difference can help you find accurate, evidence-based care when it matters most.

What are crisis pregnancy centers?

Crisis pregnancy centers are organizations that offer pregnancy-related services, often at no cost. They may provide pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, or counseling.

However, many CPCs are not licensed medical clinics and are not required to follow the same standards as healthcare providers. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), CPCs are not subject to the same medical or privacy regulations and may provide information that is not medically accurate or evidence-based.

Some CPCs are affiliated with organizations whose goal is to discourage abortion, which can influence the type of information and services they provide.

How are they different from medical clinics?

Before you visit, it’s important to understand what kind of care a provider actually offers.

Licensed medical clinics:

• Staffed by licensed healthcare professionals (doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants)
• Provide evidence-based, medically accurate information
• Follow patient privacy laws (like HIPAA)
• Can diagnose, treat, prescribe, and refer for care
• Offer comprehensive reproductive healthcare

Signs it may be a crisis pregnancy center (CPC)

Some centers can look like medical clinics, but there are a few common warning signs to watch for:

• They do not provide abortion care or effective birth control (like the pill or condoms)
• They won’t refer you to a provider that does
• Their website or staff are unclear about what services they actually offer
• They encourage you to come in before answering basic questions
• You feel pressure, discomfort, or confusion during interactions

ACOG also notes that some CPCs may use misleading advertising or messaging to appear like full-service medical clinics, which can make it harder to tell the difference.

One of the easiest ways to check is to look at their website or call ahead and ask direct questions about services. If they can’t clearly tell you what they provide or avoid answering, it’s okay to look elsewhere.

If something feels off, it’s okay to trust that instinct. You have the right to ask questions, get clear and accurate information, and leave at any time if you feel uncomfortable.

Why this matters

When someone is making a decision about a pregnancy, timing and accurate information are critical. If a person believes they are visiting a medical provider but is not, it can delay access to care, limit understanding of available options, and create confusion during an already stressful situation.

ACOG highlights that these delays and misinformation can have real impacts on patient health and outcomes, especially when care is time-sensitive.

How to know if a provider is a medical clinic

Before visiting, look for:

• Licensed medical professionals (MD, DO, NP, PA)
• Clear information about services offered
• Ability to provide or refer for full-spectrum care
• Privacy protections and patient rights

Find trusted resources

If you’re looking for reproductive healthcare services, it’s important to start with verified, medically accurate resources:‍

• abortionfinder.org
• ineedana.com
• plannedparenthood.org/health-center

Decisions about your body and your future should be based on accurate information and qualified medical care. Knowing the difference helps you make informed choices.