Service providers are required to hold a licence under the Mental Health Services Protection Act.
Overview
Residential addiction treatment service providers must meet core requirements and be licensed under the Mental Health Services Protection Act.
This regulatory framework provides provincial oversight and standardization for residential addiction treatment services in Alberta, ensuring that Albertans receive safe, quality care and consumer protections.
The framework:
- requires licensing
- ensures service providers meet core requirements such as policy and procedures for:
- consent to services
- service contracts
- incident prevention and response
- critical incident reporting
- record creation, maintenance and retention
- gives government authority to address complaints and concerns and to amend, suspend or cancel a service provider's operating licence
Licensed service providers
Find a licensed residential addiction treatment service provider in your area.
Service providers are required to post their licence in their facility where it can be easily seen by the public, and on their website, if applicable.
Providers of residential addiction treatment services must meet core requirements and be licensed by the Alberta government – contact us.
Complaints or concerns
If you have a concern about possible abuse, please contact the Provincial Abuse Line at 1-855-4HELPAB (443-5722).
All licensed residential addiction treatment service providers in the province are required to have a complaint process.
If you have concerns about the treatment or services you or someone else is receiving from a residential addiction treatment service provider, contact the service provider first.
If your concern or complaint is still unresolved, contact us if it is about:
- Mental Health Services Protection Act requirements not being followed
- an unlicensed service provider offering or providing residential addiction treatment services
Complaint resolution
When you contact us:
- a complaints officer will collect the necessary details to follow up on your concern – have as much of the following information available as possible:
- name and address (including municipality) of the facility or service provider
- a brief summary of your concern or complaint and when it occurred
- names, titles and contact numbers of people you have spoken to about your concern or complaint (for example, the manager, senior manager or board member) and their involvement in trying to resolve it
- we will assess the risks associated with your complaint, and may conduct an investigation or contact other relevant authorities, or both, as required
- you will receive a follow up letter with the outcome of your complaint
- we will make every effort to protect your identity
- Personal and health information is managed in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Health Information Act.
Apply for a licence
Service providers are required to hold a licence under the Mental Health Services Protection Act.
If you plan to open a new treatment facility, contact us to begin the licensing process.
If you disagree with a decision made by the Compliance and Monitoring branch regarding a residential addiction treatment service provider licence, you may be able to appeal it. Appeals are managed by the Appeals Secretariat, a neutral government office that operates separately from the Compliance and Monitoring branch.
Find out how to appeal.
Forms and guides
- Getting Started: Licensing for Residential Addiction Treatment Service Providers will help you understand the licensing requirements and the application process.
- Complete the Residential Addiction Treatment Service Provider Licence Application Form (PDF, 152 KB) to apply for a licence.
PDF form issues
Fillable PDF forms do not open properly on some mobile devices and web browsers. To fill in and save the form:
- Save the PDF form to your computer – click or right-click the link and download the form.
- Open the PDF form with Adobe Reader. Fill it in and save it.
If you are still having problems opening the form, contact PDF form technical support.
Incident reporting
Licensed residential addiction treatment service providers must report to Alberta Health any situation that may be injurious to the safety or health of clients. Providers must also report any situation that may jeopardize their ability to provide services.
- Use the decision process document to determine if an incident is reportable and whether it is a critical incident or a duty to notify.
- Complete the Duty to Notify, Critical Incident Report Form (PDF, 120 KB)
Albertans can share their concerns about a licensed service provider through the complaints and concerns process noted above.
Contact
Connect with the Compliance and Monitoring branch:
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-427-8740 for questions about provider licensing
Phone: 780-422-4703 to speak with a complaints officer about concerns regarding services
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]
Mailing address:
Alberta Health
Attn: Compliance and Monitoring Branch
P.O. Box 1360, Station Main
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2N3
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