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State Behavioral Health Licensing Comparison Tool

Free tool for SUD and behavioral health programs

Where should you open your next program?

Picking between states? Tick up to three and see who licenses, what Joint Commission or CARF accreditation actually does for you there, whether you need a Certificate of Need, and our estimate of how many months to plan on. Already picked one? Skip this and go to the state guides.

Data as of October 6 to 20, 2026, drawn from our state licensing guides and checked against the statutes and rules listed under Sources. Timelines are typical months for a well-prepared application. Where an agency doesn’t publish a processing time, the range is our estimate from working these applications.

Pick a state

Not sure where you want to operate? We make it easy. Select a state on the map below to see who licenses what, what Joint Commission or CARF accreditation gets you with that state, and a realistic licensing timeline. Want to compare? Tick the “Add to comparison” box in that state’s card, then select another state and tick its box too. Pick up to 3 and a side by side comparison shows up below our state map. This makes it easy for you to decide. We haven’t found another tool like it.

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Opening in one of these states and want someone to map out the order of filings for you? Book a free consultation or call (213) 864-8554.

This comparison summarizes Continued Compliance, Inc.’s state licensing guides and is provided for general informational purposes only. It should not be construed as legal, licensing, accreditation, regulatory or compliance advice. State rules change, and a summary can’t capture every exception. Confirm requirements with the licensing agency before you commit to a site, a build-out or a timeline. This tool is provided “as is.” Continued Compliance, Inc. makes no warranty that this information is accurate, complete or current, and is not liable for any decision made or action taken based on it. Using this tool does not create a consulting, attorney-client or other professional relationship. Confirm requirements with the applicable state agency, your accreditor or qualified legal counsel before relying on them.

State-by-state licensing table

The same comparison as the map, in one table: who licenses behavioral health programs, what Joint Commission or CARF accreditation gets you, whether a Certificate of Need applies, and our timeline estimates in months. Each state name links to its full guide.

StateLicensing agencyWhat Joint Commission or CARF accreditation gets you here *Certificate of NeedOutpatient(license or certification time estimates, in months)Inpatient(licensing time estimates, in months)
AlabamaADMH (certification of community SUD and mental health programs), ADPH Bureau of Health Provider Standards (hospitals), SHPDA (CON)Partial creditRequired4 to 76 to 10
AlaskaDBH, HFLC (residential and hospital mental health)RequiredLimited6 to 1010 to 16
ArizonaADHSReplaces inspectionsN/A4 to 66 to 10
ArkansasDAABHS (OADAP standards), ADH, OLTCFaster licensureLimited4 to 68 to 14 (hospital-level)
CaliforniaDHCS (CDPH for hospital-level)Preferred but Not RequiredN/A3 to 63 to 5
ColoradoBHAPreferred but Not RequiredN/A4 to 98 to 14
ConnecticutDPH Facility Licensing and Investigations Section (FLIS)Partial creditLimited4 to 88 to 14
DelawareDSAMH (SUD), DHCQ (psychiatric hospitals and mental health group homes)Deemed complianceLimited6 to 129 to 15
FloridaDCF (SUD), AHCA (mental health)Required at renewalN/A4 to 66 to 10
GeorgiaDBHDD (DCH-HFRD for hospitals)Replaces on-site visitLimited6 to 1010 to 16
HawaiiOHCA (plus ADAD for SUD)Preferred but Not RequiredLimitedNot stated12 to 18
IdahoDHW Bureau of Facility Standards (hospitals, psychiatric hospitals included). Freestanding SUD and MH programs hold no state licenseDeemed complianceN/A2 to 46 to 12
IllinoisIDHS/DBHR (SUD), IDPH (SMHRFs and psychiatric hospitals)Partial creditLimited6 to 10Not stated
IndianaDMHA (IDOH licenses hospitals)RequiredN/A4 to 812 to 18
IowaHHS Division of Behavioral Health (DIAL licenses hospitals and subacute facilities)Deemed complianceLimited3 to 55 to 8
KansasKDADS Behavioral Health Licensing, Survey, Certification, and Credentialing Commission (KDHE licenses psychiatric wards of general hospitals)Deemed complianceN/A3 to 64 to 8
KentuckyDBHDID (SUD programs, since April 5, 2023), OIG (BHSOs and psychiatric hospitals)RequiredRequired3 to 54 to 6
LouisianaLDH, Health Standards SectionReplaces inspectionsLimited5 to 99 to 15
MaineDHHS Division of Licensing and Certification (DLC)Deemed complianceLimited3 to 56 to 9
MarylandBHA (OHCQ for hospital-level psychiatric care)RequiredLimited9 to 1512 to 18
MassachusettsBSAS (DPH), DMH (inpatient), DPH clinic licensing (outpatient)Partial creditLimited4 to 68 to 12
MichiganLARA BCHS (MDHHS runs CON)Replaces inspectionsLimitedNot stated10 to 16
MinnesotaDHS Licensing Division (MDH licenses hospitals and residential buildings)Partial creditN/A5 to 88 to 12
MississippiDMH Division of Certification (community SUD and mental health programs), MSDH Health Facilities Licensure and Certification (psychiatric and chemical dependency hospitals and units)Partial creditRequired9 to 1212+
MissouriDMH Division of Behavioral Health (certification), DMH Office of Licensure and Certification (MH residential), DHSS (hospitals)Deemed complianceLimited3 to 66 to 9
MontanaDPHHS OIG Licensure Bureau (plus BHDD state approval for SUD programs)Replaces inspectionsN/A3 to 55 to 8
NebraskaDHHS Division of Public Health, Licensure Unit (treatment centers and psychiatric hospitals)Partial creditLimitedNot stated3 to 6
NevadaHCQC, BHCENPreferred but Not RequiredLimited3 to 56 to 9
New HampshireHFA (BDAS for opioid treatment programs only)Preferred but Not RequiredN/ANot stated8 to 12
New JerseyDOH Division of Certificate of Need and LicensingPartial creditLimited7 to 1212 to 20
New MexicoHCA Division of Health Improvement, Health Facility Licensing and Certification Bureau (facility licenses), with HCA’s Behavioral Health Services Division certifying programs separatelyRequiredN/A4 to 89 to 15
New YorkOASAS (SUD), OMH (mental health)Partial creditLimited8 to 1414 to 22
North CarolinaDHSR, Mental Health Licensure and Certification SectionPartial creditN/A6 to 1010 to 16
North DakotaHHS Behavioral Health Division (the HHS Health Facilities Unit licenses hospitals)Deemed complianceN/A2 to 44 to 8
OhioOhio DBHRequired, skips renewal reviewN/A3 to 66 to 12
OklahomaODMHSAS Provider Certification (SUD programs, CMHCs, crisis centers), OSDH (psychiatric hospitals)Partial creditN/A6 to 98 to 12
OregonOHA Behavioral Health Division (OHA Public Health licenses hospitals)Preferred but Not RequiredLimited6 to 98 to 12
PennsylvaniaDDAP (SUD), OMHSAS (mental health)Preferred but Not RequiredN/A5 to 89 to 14
Rhode IslandBHDDH Office of Licensure and Standards (RIDOH for hospitals)Deemed complianceLimited3 to 66 to 9
South CarolinaDPH Bureau of Health Facilities Licensing (SUD facilities, psychiatric hospitals, crisis stabilization units)Preferred but Not RequiredLimited3 to 55 to 9
South DakotaDSS Office of Licensing and Accreditation (accredits SUD agencies and CMHCs), DOH (licenses residential SUD and hospitals)Deemed complianceN/A4 to 89 to 15
TennesseeTDMHSASPartial creditLimited5 to 88 to 14
TexasHHSCReplaces renewal inspectionN/A4 to 78 to 12
UtahDLBCReplaces inspectionsN/A5 to 89 to 14
VermontDLP (residential license), DSU (SUD certification), Board of Health (hospitals)Preferred but Not RequiredLimited5 to 99 to 15
VirginiaDBHDS Office of LicensingPreferred but Not RequiredLimited6 to 109 to 14
WashingtonDOHReplaces inspectionsLimited6 to 1212 to 18
West VirginiaOHFLAC (Office of Inspector General)Preferred but Not RequiredLimited6 to 1012 to 18
WisconsinDHS Division of Quality Assurance (DQA)Preferred but Not RequiredN/A3 to 56 to 9
WyomingWDH Behavioral Health Division (certification), WDH Healthcare Licensing and Surveys (hospitals and psychiatric hospitals)Deemed complianceN/A1 to 39 to 15

Key: what Joint Commission or CARF accreditation gets you

Required
The state makes you hold Joint Commission or CARF accreditation (or another approved accreditor) to be licensed or to renew.
Deemed compliance, Replaces inspections, Replaces on-site visit, Replaces renewal inspection
The state accepts your accreditation in place of its own inspection. You still apply for the state license, but the agency relies on the accreditor’s survey instead of sending its own surveyors.
Faster licensure
Accreditation does not replace the inspection, but it speeds up the state’s review.
Partial credit
Accreditation counts toward some state requirements. The state still inspects and still checks the rest.
Preferred but Not Required
You can be licensed without it. The state may look on it favorably, but it gives you no formal shortcut.

The exact benefit differs by state and by program type (SUD treatment, mental health, hospital-level). Each state guide has the specific rule and the sources it comes from. Back to the table

Sources

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