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State licensing guides

Behavioral health licensing, state by state.

Who licenses substance use and mental health programs, what each license is called, how the application works and how accreditation counts. Built from each agency’s own published rules, with every source linked.

Choose a state

Eight states published, more on the way.

Pick a highlighted state to open its guide. Licensing a program somewhere else? We support projects nationwide, so ask us.

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Florida

Florida licensing guide

DCF licenses substance use service components under Chapter 397; AHCA licenses crisis stabilization and residential mental health.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania licensing guide

DDAP licenses drug and alcohol treatment facilities; the Department of Human Services licenses mental health programs.

Texas

Texas licensing guide

HHSC licenses chemical dependency treatment facilities and, separately, narcotic treatment programs.

California

California licensing guide

DHCS licenses residential SUD facilities and certifies outpatient alcohol and other drug programs.

New York

New York licensing guide

OASAS certifies substance use programs; the Office of Mental Health licenses mental health programs.

New Jersey

New Jersey licensing guide

The Department of Health licenses both, including the integrated outpatient license that took effect April 6, 2026.

Georgia

Georgia licensing guide

DBHDD took over DATEP and narcotic treatment program licensing from DCH on January 1, 2026, under new rules.

Arizona

Arizona licensing guide

ADHS licenses behavioral health facilities and sober living homes, with stricter inspections since the 2025 reforms.

The common path

How licensing works almost everywhere.

Every state is different, but most licensing projects move through the same stages. Knowing them early prevents the most expensive surprises.

  1. Confirm what needs a licenseWhich agency licenses each level of care, and whether any exemption applies.
  2. Set up the entity and the siteBusiness registration, plus zoning, occupancy and fire-safety approvals for your location.
  3. Write to the state’s rulesPolicies, procedures and staffing plans that match the state’s regulations, not a generic template.
  4. Screen and staffBackground screening and credentials for the roles the state specifies.
  5. ApplyThe application, fees and attachments, filed the way the agency requires.
  6. Pass inspectionAn on-site or virtual review; many states issue a provisional or probationary license first.
  7. Enroll and accreditMedicaid and payer enrollment, and accreditation where your state or payers require or reward it.

Where accreditation changes the rules

Accreditation can shorten the path, in some states.

How a state treats CARF or Joint Commission accreditation can change your inspections, your renewals and even which license you need.

Florida

Required at renewal

Licensed substance use providers need accreditation for clinical treatment components to renew, and DCF can accept accreditation surveys in place of its own inspections.

New Jersey

Deemed status

Accredited substance use facilities can apply for deemed status instead of periodic state inspection under a Department of Health waiver.

Texas

Renewal inspections

State law directs HHSC to accept an accreditation review in place of its own inspection at license renewal, when conditions are met.

Pennsylvania

Joint Commission, by rule

For-profit partial hospitalization programs licensed by OMHSAS must also hold Joint Commission accreditation.

New York

Counts as an inspection

OASAS treats a survey by a nationally recognized accreditor as one of its inspection activities.

Nationwide

Opioid treatment

Every opioid treatment program needs accreditation from a SAMHSA-approved body as part of federal certification.

Summaries only. Each state guide links the official sources and the conditions that apply.

Licensing in another state?

We support licensing nationwide.

Tell us the state, the levels of care and your target opening date. We will map the agencies, licenses and timeline with you.

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