State licensing comparison
Where should you open your next program?
Who licenses it, what Joint Commission or CARF accreditation gets you, whether a Certificate of Need applies, and how long it takes. One page, with every state linked to our full guide.
18 states covered so far. Data as of September 30, 2026, drawn from our state licensing guides. 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
Select a state on the map to see who licenses what, what Joint Commission or CARF accreditation gets you with the state, and a realistic timeline. Colored states have a full guide, and we add more as the research is finished.
| Licensing agency | Joint Commission/CARF Accreditation | Certificate of Need |
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Continued Compliance, "State Behavioral Health Licensing Comparison," blog.continuedcompliance.com.
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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.