Minnesota, the birthplace of the Minnesota Model of treatment, has long been a national destination for addiction treatment. Despite a long history of addiction treatment innovation and leadership, the state’s addiction problems persist in many places in Minnesota. The healthy demand for treatment in Minnesota makes the  “rehab state” a strong candidate for a home for your next addiction treatment center. 

Like many states in the nation, Minnesota experienced a steep spike in drug overdose deaths in 2020. Minnesota saw a 27% increase in that year, largely attributable to accidental overdoses related to fentanyl. Rural communities in general and the Native American community in Minnesota in particular have been hit especially hard. For every one caucasian resident who passed away from overdose in Minnesota in recent years, seven Native Americans have died. In fact, Minnesota holds the unfortunate title as a state leader in Native American overdose deaths in the nation. 

Today, we’ll look at what goes into opening an addiction treatment center in Minnesota.

Yes, You’re Going to Need to Get Your Addiction Treatment Center Licensed in Minnesota

First thing’s first: yes, Minnesota requires nearly all addiction treatment centers, providers and organizations to seek licensure with the state. Hospitals and community-based organizations (think AA) are exempt, but the state makes few other exceptions for providers. 

According to state laws governing addiction treatment centers in Minnesota: 

Except as provided in subdivisions 2 and 3, no person, corporation, partnership, voluntary association, controlling individual, or other organization may provide a substance use disorder treatment service to an individual with a substance use disorder unless licensed by the commissioner.

Here, “licensed by the commissioner” means getting licensed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services, the governing body that administers state licenses to addiction treatment providers, as well as entities like foster care group homes, adult care homes, mental health providers and other therapeutic or somehow specialized group residential settings. 

Read Up on Minnesota Statutes Governing Addiction Treatment Licensing Before You Begin the Application Process 

Minnesota’s state laws governing addiction treatment center licensing are encapsulated in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 245G. In this document, you’ll find all of the rules that Minnesota uses to regulate the addiction treatment community in the state, including statutes on staffing requirements, clinical standards, patient care, medical services, client’s rights protections and, yes, licensing requirements. Reading up on the rules affecting your business directly from the source is a smart move to begin your project on the right foot. 

Minnesota’s 27 Page Application for Addiction Treatment Center Licensing is Available Online or On Paper

Minnesota offers a digital and traditional paper application that can be printed on their website. Although the application is a grueling 27 pages long, it doubles as an application for many other types of service providers, which means that many sections aren’t relevant to addiction treatment center licensing. In other words, it’s more simple than it looks. 

In order to complete the application, you’ll need to provide basic information, like: 

• Tax identification number 

• Business record details 

• Controlling individuals 

• Current licenses

You’ll also need to include certain attachments to your application, including:

• $500 Application fee

• Certificate of compliance 

• Organization chart 

• Ownership verification 

• Funds and property information 

• 60 day county notification 

• Program policies, procedures and forms

• Staff qualification specifics for your Treatment Director, Alcohol and Drug Counselor Supervisor, RN and Medical Director 

Minnesota Offers Application Information Sessions for Addiction Treatment Centers Looking to Get Licensed

Minnesota offers “application information sessions” four times a year for would-be addiction treatment center owners who are curious about the state’s licensing program. These sessions are offered online and require pre-registration in order to participate.

Unlike most state information sessions, Minnesota’s program requires participants to actively engage throughout the presentation, making it a point to let potential providers know that they must log into the session with “two-way video and audio capability” in order to fully participate in the session. 

The state also lists several “prerequisites” that participants must realize before they pre-register, such as understanding the basics of opening a business in Minnesota and reviewing Minnesota Statutes, chapter 245G.

Let Us Help You Open an Addiction Treatment Center in Minnesota 

Behave Health is committed to making it easier - and more profitable - to operate evidence-based, results-focused addiction treatment centers. 

Our all-in-one app puts clinical, administration, staff, admissions, alumni, residents, treatment plans, billing, insurance authorizations and more - all at your fingertips.

Get your free trial started today and see why more addiction treatment centers prefer Behave Health.

Need help with certification? Behave Health can also help direct you to the right resources for help with Licensing or Accreditation by either The Joint Commission or CARF. Mention to your product specialist that you’re interested in this service after you start your free trial!