Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities

A substance abuse treatment facility may be any facility that offers treatment for persons with chemical dependency. Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 464, requires facilities providing substance abuse treatment services to be licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services (Department). In addition, the Department is charged with the registration of faith-based chemical dependency treatment programs that are exempt from licensure. Faith-based chemical dependency treatment programs offer only nonmedical treatment and recovery methods such as prayer, moral guidance, spiritual counseling, and scriptural study. Substance abuse treatment facilities are not certified to participate in the federal Medicare Program.

The Substance Abuse Facility Licensing Group develops rules that establish minimum standards for substance abuse treatment facility licensing procedures and registration procedures for faith-based exempt programs; for granting, denying, suspending and revoking a license; for licensing fees; and for operation and care.

Substance Abuse Facilities Search- Click to link.

Faith-based Registered License Exempt Directory- Click to link.

Applying for an initial substance abuse treatment facility license

The application process involves:

• Substance Abuse Facility Licensing Group staff who review the application and required documents (see checklist under Applications link) for deficiencies. Reference TAC chapter 448 - Standards of Care, as you develop policies, procedures, forms, and other documents to demonstrate compliance with the rules. Refer to the application form for mailing address and instructions. To avoid delays, submit your application for licensure of a new facility at least 60 days before the treatment program scheduled start date.
• Substance Abuse Facility Compliance Group staff who are responsible for conducting surveys and inspections of facilities for compliance with the provisions on Health and Safety Code, Chapter 264 and TAC Chapter 441 or 448, as applicable.

Helpful Phone Numbers - Click to link.

Fees

Base fee for initial license, which includes application and review fees--$1,200;
Additional fee for each outpatient or residential site located at a separate physical address--$125; and fee per bed--$35.
Application fees are not refundable.

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Texas Department of State Health Services, Health Facillity Licensing Program
1100 West 49th Street - Austin, Texas 78756 - (512) 834-6646

Last Updated April 6, 2006