Detox
Open a detox facility California will license — and insurers will fund.
Detox carries the strictest scrutiny of the three verticals — site, staffing, and medical protocols all under the microscope. We build it to survive that scrutiny.
The vertical
Medical detoxification, licensed and survey-ready.
Medical detox is among the most heavily regulated facility licenses in California. We handle DHCS licensure, the physical site, and the clinical program from day one.
The challenges founders face
Where this vertical usually stalls.
These are the recurring traps we see before founders reach us — and the ones we design the engagement to avoid.
DHCS licensing scrutiny
Incidental medical services and detox protocols draw close DHCS review. Small inconsistencies in your application stop it cold.
Site & zoning traps
Founders sign leases on buildings the state or city won't approve for residential treatment, then lose months and deposits.
Clinical staffing
Detox requires a qualified medical director and protocols that meet ASAM-aligned standards. Getting this wrong is a patient-safety and licensing risk.
How we approach it
Built for your model — then carried through the file.
We don't hand back a plan. We set the structure, build the program, and stay on the file until it's approved.
Site done right
We vet the location for zoning, fire clearance, and licensability before you commit to a lease.
Clinical program build
Medical detox protocols, medical director arrangement, and policies built to DHCS and ASAM-aligned standards.
License to accreditation
We sequence DHCS licensure and TJC or CARF accreditation so you can contract with payers as soon as possible.
What it requires
The standards California and the accreditors actually measure.
Completeness and consistency — not effort — are what clear review. Here's what has to be true before you open.
DHCS licensure
Residential detox is licensed by the Department of Health Care Services, with an Incidental Medical Services approval where medical detox is provided.
Compliant facility
The site must meet residential, fire, and local zoning requirements, with bed counts and layout that match your license.
Medical direction
A qualified medical director and clinical protocols are required to operate medical detox safely and lawfully.
Accreditation for payers
TJC or CARF accreditation is typically required to contract with commercial insurers.
Accreditation we'll guide you through
- The Joint Commission
- CARF
Your timeline
Five steps, sequenced so each one unlocks the next.
No dead time between licensure, accreditation, and opening — we order the work so the file keeps moving.
Site & model
Vet the location and confirm the license type and bed count.
Program build
Medical protocols, medical director, and policies to DHCS standards.
DHCS license
File, clear review, and pass the licensing survey.
Accredit & contract
Achieve TJC/CARF accreditation and pursue payer contracts.
Operate & grow
Run survey-ready operations and build referrals.
We almost signed a lease that would never have been licensable. That one conversation paid for the whole engagement.
FAQ
Questions founders ask us
How regulated is detox compared to other treatment?
It's the most regulated of the three verticals we serve. Because patients are physically dependent and medically vulnerable, DHCS scrutinizes the site, the medical direction, and the protocols closely. That's exactly why preparation matters so much.
Can I run detox and residential treatment together?
Often, yes — many operators co-locate detox with residential treatment, but each level of care carries its own requirements. We design the license structure to support what you intend to run.
What's the most common reason a detox license stalls?
A site that can't pass, a medical director arrangement that doesn't meet requirements, or protocols that don't match the license sought. We address all three before you file.
Book a consultation
Tell us what you're building. We'll tell you how to open it.
A free, specific conversation about your model, your timeline, and the exact path to licensed and accredited in California.