Addiction Treatment Certification
FAQs
The LegitScript Addiction Treatment Certification process helps you understand and align with compliance requirements. Earning LegitScript Certification allows you to advertise on some of the world's largest online platforms so you can connect with the people who need your services.
Getting Started with Certification FAQs
Below is a link to our General Certification FAQs, where you’ll find helpful answers to common questions and useful information about the certification process across all LegitScript Certification programs.
This FAQ is intended as a general reference and does not replace our Certification Standards or Terms & Conditions for each program.
Who should apply for Addiction Treatment Certification?
Addiction Treatment Certification is intended for organizations that provide substance use disorder (SUD) treatment or recovery services and meet our Certification Standards.
If you're unsure whether Addiction Treatment Certification or Healthcare Certification is the best fit for your business, see "Should I apply for Healthcare Certification or Addiction Treatment Certification?" on the Getting Started Certification FAQ page.
What organizations are eligible for Addiction Treatment Certification?
Addiction Treatment Certification is available to organizations providing eligible substance use disorder treatment or recovery services.
Clinical substance use disorder treatment providers
Organizations that provide substance use disorder treatment in:
- Outpatient settings
- Inpatient or residential treatment facilities
- Telehealth settings
- Co-occurring or dual diagnosis treatment programs
Treatment must be provided in a clinical setting. Services provided from private residences or other non-clinical locations are generally not eligible.
Interventionists
Professionally credentialed interventionists who provide in-person intervention services.
Virtual or online intervention services are not eligible.
Mutual support groups
Organizations that facilitate non-clinical interactions among individuals recovering from substance use disorder through:
- Websites
- Mobile applications
- Online forums
Support groups intended primarily for family members or caregivers are not eligible.
Crisis hotlines
Organizations providing substance use disorder services via:
- Telephone hotlines
- Online chat services
- Call centers
- Mobile applications
These services may provide information and support but may not promote or direct individuals to specific treatment providers or facilities.
What organizations are generally not eligible?
Examples of organizations that are generally not eligible include:
Treatment providers
- Organizations providing addiction treatment services outside the United States or Canada
- Organizations exclusively treating addictions other than substance use disorder
Housing and recovery services
- Sober living homes
- Sober retreats
- Other non-clinical recovery residences
Peer support services
- Peer support programs
- Peer recovery programs
- Peer recovery coaching
- Sober coaching
- Sober transportation services
These services are generally not eligible because they do not require professional licensure.
Education and support
- DUI education classes
- DUI prevention programs
- Support groups intended exclusively for family members or friends
Referral services
- Lead generation websites
- Organizations that redirect prospective patients to treatment providers in exchange for compensation
Assessment-only services
- Organizations that provide addiction assessments or evaluations without offering treatment services
Are telehealth substance use treatment providers eligible?
Yes.
Organizations that provide substance use disorder treatment through telehealth are eligible, provided they otherwise meet our Certification Standards.
Operating a traditional brick-and-mortar treatment facility is not required to be eligible for our program.
Are sober living environments eligible?
No.
Sober living environments are generally not eligible because they:
- Do not provide clinical addiction treatment
- Operate as cooperative living environments
- Are typically residential rather than clinical facilities
- Are not part of a licensed addiction treatment program
What if my organization has more than one facility?
Most organizations can apply for Addiction Treatment Certification with multiple locations. However, organizations with 10 or more facilities likely qualify for Enterprise Addiction Treatment Certification, which offers an alternative pricing model and a more streamlined certification experience. See "What is Enterprise Addiction Treatment Certification?" below for more information.
What if I'm not sure whether my organization is eligible?
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you provide treatment for substance use disorder?
- Is treatment provided by licensed or credentialed professionals?
- Do you provide services in a clinical setting or through telehealth?
- Is your organization located in the United States or Canada?
- Does your website promote treatment services rather than simply referring patients elsewhere?
If you answered yes to these questions, your organization is likely eligible.
Still unsure?
Email [email protected] with:
- Your legal business name
- Your website URL
- A description of your services
We'll review your information and help determine whether your organization is eligible.
How much does Addiction Treatment Certification cost?
Certification fees are assessed per unique facility providing in-scope services. You can find more information about how unique facilities are determined in Getting Started > Pricing & Billing > How is pricing calculated?
Our pricing is as follows:
| Pricing Tier | Application Fee | Annual Certification Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (1–9 facilities) | $1,595 per facility | $3,095 per facility |
| Individual Practitioner Pricing* | $535 | $1,070 |
The annual certification fee is due only if your application is approved.
Organizations with 10 or more facilities may qualify for Enterprise Addiction Treatment Certification, which offers an alternative pricing model and a more streamlined certification experience. See "What is Enterprise Addiction Treatment Certification?" below for more information.
*Individual Practitioner Pricing
Individual Practitioner Pricing is automatically determined during enrollment and is not a pricing option that can be selected.
See "What is Individual Practitioner Pricing?" below for eligibility requirements.
What is Individual Practitioner Pricing?
Individual Practitioner Pricing is intended for smaller addiction treatment practices that want to obtain LegitScript Addiction Treatment Certification but for whom our standard pricing may be a barrier.
This pricing is available only to practices that meet all eligibility requirements.
To qualify, your practice must:
- Have three or fewer client-facing practitioners providing addiction treatment services.
- Operate from one physical location.
- Maintain one website containing addiction treatment content.
- Be unaffiliated with a larger addiction treatment organization.
Final eligibility is determined during the application review process.
Unfortunately, we cannot make exceptions to these eligibility requirements. This includes factors such as whether practitioners work full-time or part-time, or whether multiple locations operate on alternating schedules or only one location is open at a time.
Can I certify multiple businesses or locations?
Yes. Businesses or facilities under common ownership may be included within a single application.
Certification fees apply per eligible facility, and all associated fees are billed to a single payment method.
What is Enterprise Addiction Treatment Certification?
Enterprise Addiction Treatment Certification is designed for organizations operating 10 or more treatment facilities.
Benefits may include:
- Streamlined onboarding
- Dedicated support
- Consolidated certification management
- A more efficient certification process for large organizations
For more information see our Enterprise Addiction Treatment Certification page.
What changes do I need to report after certification?
Please notify [email protected] within 30 days if your organization experiences significant changes.
Business operations
- Changes to treatment services
- Changes to business operations
Licensure and accreditation
- Organizational licensure
- Accreditation
- Certification status
- Regulatory status
Treatment providers
- Changes affecting provider licensure
- Accreditation or certification changes
- Disciplinary actions involving treatment providers
Legal or regulatory matters
- Government investigations
- Warning letters
- Consent agreements
- Suspensions
- Probation
- Other legal or regulatory actions
Keeping us informed helps ensure your certification remains accurate and up to date.
How do I add another location?
You do not need to submit a new application.
To add another location:
- Email [email protected] with the facility address and website (if applicable).
- Complete a compliance review for the additional location.
- Pay the applicable application fee.
Additional locations share the same renewal date as your existing certification.
Renewal discount
If the additional location is approved within six months of your renewal date, its initial annual certification fee will be reduced by 50%.
What are the benefits of Addiction Treatment Certification?
Addiction Treatment Certification demonstrates that your organization meets LegitScript's Certification Standards and provides access to important advertising opportunities.
Benefits include:
- Eligibility to advertise on major platforms such as Google, Meta, and Microsoft Bing (subject to each platform's advertising policies)
- Independent verification that your organization meets recognized transparency and compliance standards
- Increased credibility with prospective patients and business partners
- Demonstration of your commitment to lawful and transparent practices
Please note: LegitScript Certification may be required to participate in certain advertising programs, but it does not guarantee advertising approval. For information about advertising policies, platform-specific advertising decisions, and examples of services that may be subject to additional advertising restrictions, see "Who can answer questions about advertising policies or advertising decisions?" on the Getting Started Certification FAQ page.