In 2018 legislation passed that require the Arizona Department of Health Services to adopt rules to establish minimum standards and requirements for the licensing of sober living home in Arizona. Accordingly, the Department released these rules, which became effective July 1, 2019.
If your sober living home meets the definition below, you need to apply for a license.
A.R.S. Title 36, Chapter 18 Article 4
“Sober living home” means any premises, place or building that provides alcohol-free or drug-free housing and that:
- Promotes independent living and life skills development.
- May provide activities that are directed primarily toward recovery from substance use disorders.
- Provides a supervised setting to a group of unrelated individuals who are recovering from substance use disorders.
- Does not provide any medical or clinical services or medication administration on-site, except for verification of abstinence.
Additionally:
“The director shall adopt rules to establish minimum standards and requirements for the licensure of sober living homes in this state necessary to ensure the public health, safety and welfare. The director may use the current standards adopted by any recognized national organization approved by the department as guidelines in prescribing the minimum standards and requirements under this subsection.”
What You Need to Do
If your sober living home is currently certified as a sober living home by a certifying organization and meets ALL of the Department licensure requirements (Title 9, Chapter 12), in lieu of an initial on-site survey, you may submit an application for a license with the Department and be issued a license. You still must operate according to the Rules, so if you do not have written policies and procedures that comply with Title 9, Chapter 12, you will need to so do.
If your sober living home IS NOT currently certified as a sober living home by a certifying organization and DOES NOT meet all of the Department licensure requirements (Title 9, Chapter 12), you will need to write policies and procedures that comply with Title 9, Chapter 12 and then submit an application for licensure with the Department.
We Can Help
Ken Chance & Associates, Inc. has written policies and procedures for sober living homes that comply with Title 9, Chapter 12 and A.R.S. Title 36, Chapter 18 Article 4. These are available February 1, 2020. For more information visit us at www.kenneth.chance.com, or email info@kennethchance.com or call 1.928.288.2004.
About the Author: Ken Chance, D. Div. is the former owner of three behavioral health agencies and a sober living home. His company offers behavioral health consulting services to individuals, families and treatment centers.
