Verified October 10, 2026 against the statutes, regulations and sources cited below. The state decides every application. All states
What operators miss in Virginia
- Virginia's certificate of public need law lists intermediate care facilities for substance abuse treatment licensed by DBHDS among covered medical care facilities.
- A conditional recovery residence certification lasts at most six months, with total conditional time capped at nine months.
Does Virginia license behavioral health and addiction treatment programs?
No provider may establish, conduct, maintain or operate any service without a DBHDS license, and no one may be admitted or treated by an unlicensed provider. Licenses are not assignable or transferable. Changes to services, locations or capacity need a modification application at least 30 days ahead.
- One license with service components
- DBHDS provider license
- Issued by Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS)
Citation: Va. Code 37.2-405; 12VAC35-105-60
What does Virginia require for owners, sales and moves?
- Ownership change or relocation: A license is not transferable; a change in services, locations or capacity needs a modification application 30 days in advance and approval before it starts.
Citation: Va. Code 37.2-405(B); 12VAC35-105-60
What does an opioid treatment program need in Virginia?
DBHDS notifies the local governing body and community services board within 15 days of a new methadone OTP application and cannot license until local comment and zoning compliance steps are met.
- State opioid treatment authority: No agency named on SAMHSA list (Richmond contact at SOTA@dbhds.virginia.gov)
- State license: DBHDS license for medication for opioid use disorder treatment services, with current DEA, HHS and Virginia Board of Pharmacy registration or certification and accreditation from a federally approved body.
- 71 opioid treatment programs in 2024 (N-SUMHSS)
Citation: Va. Code 37.2-406(B)-(C)
How does Virginia treat recovery residences?
Virginia law bars operating a recovery residence, or claiming DBHDS certification, unless DBHDS has certified it; violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor. State agencies and courts may refer only to DBHDS-certified residences.
- State license
- NARR affiliate: Virginia Association of Recovery Residences
Citation: Va. Code 37.2-431.1(C), (F)
Opening or expanding a program in Virginia?
We confirm what Virginia 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.