Verified October 10, 2026 against the statutes, regulations and sources cited below. The state decides every application. All states
What operators miss in North Dakota
- A first license may be provisional for up to one year before an onsite review converts it.
- A program whose license is revoked cannot apply again for 365 days.
Does North Dakota license behavioral health and addiction treatment programs?
No one may establish, conduct or maintain a substance use disorder treatment program in North Dakota without a department license. Licenses run three years. Program rules are organized by ASAM level, and a change of ownership or level of care requires a new application.
- One license with service components
- Substance use disorder treatment program license
- Substance use programs: North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
Citation: N.D. Cent. Code 50-31-02, 50-31-05; N.D. Admin. Code art. 75-09.1
How does North Dakota license each level of care?
The licensing rules are written level by level using ASAM placement criteria, and a new application is required to change level of care.
- Outpatient: ASAM Level I outpatient services (N.D. Admin. Code ch. 75-09.1-07).
- IOP and PHP: ASAM Level II.1 intensive outpatient and Level II.5 partial hospitalization or day treatment each have their own chapter.
- Residential: ASAM Levels III.1, III.5 and III.7 each have their own chapter.
- Withdrawal management: ASAM Level III.2-D social detoxification (N.D. Admin. Code ch. 75-09.1-08).
Citation: N.D. Admin. Code art. 75-09.1; 75-09.1-01-02(4)
What does a North Dakota license cost?
- Initial: $150 nonrefundable application fee (as of 2026-10-10)
Citation: N.D. Cent. Code 50-31-03.1
How often does a North Dakota license renew?
- Renews every three years
What does accreditation do for a North Dakota license?
The department issues a license to a program holding current accreditation from a nationally recognized body; the program submits the accreditor's most recent review at licensing and renewal.
- Accreditation deemed for the license
Citation: N.D. Admin. Code 75-09.1-01-25
What does North Dakota require for owners, sales and moves?
- Ownership change or relocation: A change of ownership or level of care requires a new license application; a change of address requires notice.
Citation: N.D. Admin. Code 75-09.1-01-02
What does an opioid treatment program need in North Dakota?
State law directs the department to adopt rules assessing the need for an OTP, or a medication unit, in the proposed location.
- State opioid treatment authority: No agency named on SAMHSA list (Bismarck contact at nd.gov); state law designates the DHHS behavioral health division
- State license: A separate state OTP license for each location, plus SAMHSA certification and DEA registration. Medication units need their own state license and DEA registration.
- State need review
- 3 opioid treatment programs in 2024 (N-SUMHSS)
Citation: N.D. Cent. Code 50-31-08(3)(b), 50-31-09(3)(b)
Opening or expanding a program in North Dakota?
We confirm what North Dakota requires for your services and levels of care, prepare the application and every attachment for your owner or officer to sign, and track it to a decision. An outpatient program license is $1,995 per site. Every fee is flat and never depends on admissions or census.