Regulation

Wisconsin is a Smart Place to Open Your Next Addiction Treatment Center. Here’s How. 

Fun Fact: Wisconsin does NOT require all addiction treatment providers to seek state certification.


Opening an Addiction Treatment Center in Maryland? Here’s How. 

Maryland happens to be one of the most highly regulated states for addiction treatment providers, which means there are quite a few hoops to jump through when opening a new center.

Missouri is a Great State for Opening Your Next Addiction Treatment Center 

Missouri is one of a dwindling number of states that does not require all addiction treatment centers to obtain a license or certification before opening. This makes it a very friendly place to start up an addiction treatment center for new providers.


Thinking of Opening an Addiction Treatment Center in Indiana? Here’s How. 

Indiana has a long way to go before its population has access to adequate addiction treatment. Here’s what it takes to open an addiction treatment center in the state.

Here’s What it Takes to Open an Addiction Treatment Center in Tennessee

Given that the need for addiction treatment in Tennessee is so great, does that make it a good place to open an addiction treatment center? The answer is - yes.

Thinking of Opening an Addiction Treatment Center in Washington? Here’s What You Need to Know.

There are more than 100 licensed addiction treatment centers in operation in the state of Washington, but the state needs more services to meet demand. Washington is a great place to open an addiction treatment center.

Opening an Addiction Treatment Center in Massachusetts Doesn’t Have to Be Difficult 

Massachusetts has a state-wide addiction problem, which makes it a great state for opening a new addiction treatment center.

Massachusetts is struggling with a state-wide addiction problem, underscoring the demand for new addiction treatment providers in the state. In response to the rising levels of behavioral health problems, lawmakers in Massachusetts are considering expanding their civil commitment program to men in need of addiction treatment.

Meth use also continues to be a major public health concern in Massachusetts. 

98,944 people sought addiction treatment in Massachusetts in 2017, which is the last year that state-wide admissions data were made public. Experts believe those numbers have only risen in the face of the behavioral health crisis linked to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

So, given all this addiction activity in the state, how hard is it to open an addiction treatment center in Massachusetts? It should be easier than it is. Massachusetts makes it relatively difficult to successfully open a certified drug rehab. That said, there are some tricks to making the experience more enjoyable. Read on for more about how to make the addiction treatment center licensing process in Massachusetts easier and quicker.   

Yes, You’ll Have to Get a State License to Open an Addiction Treatment Center in Massachusetts

Massachusetts state laws require all addiction treatment centers - even those run by the government itself - to obtain a state license to operate and advertise services.

According to Massachusetts state law, all addiction treatment providers and centers must be licensed by the state: 

(B) No entity, except a general hospital or clinic licensed by the Department, or a department, agency or institution of the federal government or of the Commonwealth, or any subdivision of those listed above, shall operate a substance abuse treatment program without a substance abuse treatment license from the Department

In others words, licenses are required for all substance abuse treatment programs, even if they are run by the federal government or if they are associated with a pre-existing hospital. 

You’ll Work with Massachusetts’ BSAS to Get Your Addiction Treatment Center License

The Bureau of Substance Addiction Services is your go-to agency for addiction treatment center licensing in Massachusetts.

In Massachusetts, the same state organization responsible for administering individual licenses for drug and alcohol counselors (known as “LADCs” in Massachusetts) is also responsible for licensing all addiction treatment organizations, programs and businesses in the state. That state organization is a part of the Bureau of Public Health and is referred to by Massachusetts as the Division of the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS). 

While Other Forms Are Available on BSAS’ site, the Application Form for Addiction Treatment Center Licensing is Absent from Their Website

Unlike most states, Massachusetts does not make their addiction treatment center licensing application available online.

BSAS does offer a list of forms, resources and regulations for “Alcohol and Drug Treatment Programs” but the list is very limited. BSAS’ website hosts some forms such as the “Key Personnel Change Form,” and the “Regulatory and Contractual Waiver Request Form” but, critically, not the application for licensure or the form for license renewal. Most states make their application available online for public review. In Massachusetts, you have to contact the state directly to get an application packet.

You’ll Need to Directly Contact the BSAS Licensing Inspector to Get Started with Addiction Treatment Center Licensing in Massachusetts

Massachusetts encourages all addiction treatment center hopefuls to contact the BSAS licensing inspector assigned to their area to begin the licensing process.

BSAS encourages addiction treatment centers looking to open in Massachusetts to reach out directly to the “BSAS Licensing Inspector” closest to their location. You’ll find a list of licensing inspectors and their contact information here. Central, Western. Metro West, Northeast, Greater Boston and Southeast all have dedicated Licensing Inspectors. 

Licensing Fees in Massachusetts Are Relatively Low for Addiction Treatment Centers 

Massachusetts has some of the lowest addiction treatment center licensing fees in the United States. For some applicants, the fees are actually waived entirely!

All new licensing applications are assessed a flat fee of $300. You’ll also need to budget an additional $75 if you wish to add a satellite office or medication unit. If you wish to add a service to your care options, you’ll also need to spring for an extra $75. Good news—these fees rank among some of the lowest licensing fees in the United States.

Even better? If you live in the commonwealth of Massachusetts, your fees are waived completely. That means that the licensing process is free for all in-state applicants. 

Need Help Opening an Addiction Treatment Center in Massachusetts?

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!

Thinking of Opening an Addiction Treatment Center in New Jersey? Here’s How.

What state regulations apply to addiction treatment providers in New Jersey? Learn more about what goes into opening an addiction treatment center in the Garden State.

How to start an Addiction Treatment Center in Michigan

Given the huge need for addiction treatment services in the state, is it easy to open an addiction treatment center in Michigan? Learn more about how to get your addiction treatment center licensed in Michigan.

How to Open a Certified Addiction Treatment Center in North Carolina

While North Carolina has some drawbacks as a home for your certified addiction treatment center, including CON laws that limit the number of providers allowed to open in the state, it also has a real need for providers, especially in more rural areas.

How to Open an Addiction Treatment Center in New York

Learn about what it takes to open an addiction treatment center - sometimes known as drug rehabs or inpatient treatment facilities - in the Empire State.


How to Open an Addiction Treatment Center in Illinois

Illinois does require substance use treatment providers to obtain a license to provide treatment in the state. The state’s licensing program is overseen by the Department of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery.

How to Open an Addiction Treatment Center in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is a great state to open an addiction treatment center. With a high number of people suffering from SUD, there is a high demand for services to treat the disease of addiction. Pennsylvania is also unique in the nation because it allows addiction treatment providers to prescribe medical marijuana to treat opioid use disorder.

How to Open an Addiction Treatment Center in Ohio

Ohio is reeling under the opioid crisis and is scrambling to respond to a surge in demand for addiction treatment as the nation faces a mental health crisis deepened by the COVID-19 pandemic. These numbers show that the demand is there. Nevertheless, access to treatment lags behind, particularly in diverse communities and particularly for culturally competent care.

Contingency Management is Coming. Is Your Addiction Treatment Center Ready?

Contingency Management is a treatment modality that intermittently rewards clean time and program participation with cash or prizes. While some have moral objections to “paying an addict to get sober,” others point to the fact that, unlike a lot of treatments for meth, cocaine and stimulant abuse, Contingency Management (CM) actually works.

Should Your Addiction Treatment Center Require Vaccines for Employees?

Let’s take a look at the whole picture of vaccines and addiction treatment and examine what we know about requiring - or not requiring - vaccines at treatment facilities throughout the United States.

Here's What Your Addiction Treatment Facility Needs to Know About ERKA in 2021

The act targets patient brokering and other practices designed to defraud insurance companies.

How to Start a Addiction Treatment Center in Arizona the Easy Way

Arizona is a gorgeous state with great weather - and a state that has a big opioid problem, making it a great candidate for your next addiction treatment center location.