Verified October 10, 2026 against the statutes, regulations and sources cited below. The state decides every application. All states
What operators miss in Pennsylvania
- A provisional license lasts up to six months and may be renewed no more than three times.
- As published, 28 Pa. Code 715.25 prohibits narcotic treatment medication units.
Does Pennsylvania license behavioral health and addiction treatment programs?
Any facility providing drug and alcohol treatment needs a DDAP license to open and operate. The license names the owner, the location and each authorized activity; a facility may be licensed for more than one activity. It lasts one year and is renewed after an annual on-site inspection.
- One license with service components
- Drug and alcohol treatment facility license
- Substance use programs: Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP)
Citation: 28 Pa. Code 709.11-709.14
How does Pennsylvania license each level of care?
- Outpatient: Licensed activity (28 Pa. Code ch. 709, subch. I).
- IOP and PHP: Partial hospitalization is a licensed activity (28 Pa. Code ch. 709, subch. H).
- Residential: Inpatient nonhospital treatment and rehabilitation, and transitional living (halfway house), are licensed activities.
- Withdrawal management: Inpatient nonhospital detoxification is a licensed activity (28 Pa. Code ch. 709, subch. E).
Citation: 28 Pa. Code ch. 709
How often does a Pennsylvania license renew?
- Renews every year
- Due DDAP schedules the on-site renewal inspection before the license expires
What does Pennsylvania require for owners, sales and moves?
- Ownership change or relocation: The license is not transferable. Report a change of ownership, name, location, activity or capacity on DDAP forms within 90 days, or the license expires automatically.
Citation: 28 Pa. Code 709.14
What does an opioid treatment program need in Pennsylvania?
- State opioid treatment authority: No agency named on SAMHSA list (Harrisburg contact at pa.gov)
- State license: DDAP narcotic treatment program approval after an on-site inspection, on top of a DDAP facility license; applications go to DDAP, DEA and SAMHSA at the same time.
- 115 opioid treatment programs in 2024 (N-SUMHSS)
How does Pennsylvania treat recovery residences?
DDAP licenses drug and alcohol recovery houses under 28 Pa. Code ch. 717. The application fee and the renewal fee are $250 each per house, and DDAP posts a registry of licensed houses.
- State license
- NARR affiliate: Pennsylvania Alliance of Recovery Residences
Citation: 28 Pa. Code 717.6, 717.33
Opening or expanding a program in Pennsylvania?
We confirm what Pennsylvania 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.