Becoming a Community Service Provider

According to Alabama law, any community program providing services to people living with developmental disabilities, mental illnesses, and/or substance use disorders must be certified by the Alabama Department of Mental Health prior to providing services.

To become certified, prospective providers must go through a multi-phase orientation and application process, demonstrating compliance with standards outlined in the Alabama Administrative Code for developmental disability, mental illness, and/or substance use disorder services. Prior to attempting certification, prospective providers should read the Administrative Code standards for their respective service areas.

To learn more about ADMH Certification, please visit the Certification Administration page.

Programs unable to demonstrate the ability to meet the Alabama Administrative Code standards for service will not be certified. Because the certification process can take a considerable amount of time, some things to consider prior to beginning the process are:

• Completing the Prospective Provider Orientation does not mean your program is certified to provide services. In fact, it is only the first step in the certification process.
• Becoming certified by ADMH does not mean you will obtain referrals or clients for services.
• Becoming certified by ADMH does not mean you will receive funding from ADMH or payment for services.
• Being a licensed business in Alabama is different than being certified. Please go to the Alabama Secretary of State website to review the requirements for establishing a business.
• Not all services are in high demand across the state. Consider whether the services you would like to provide are needed in your area. Consider community partnerships with other providers and organizations who support people who may need the services you want to provide.

Prior to applying for certification, ADMH requires the completion of a two-phase orientation detailing the application process and providing the information you can use to determine whether your program has the current capacity to meet certification standards. Completing the orientation does not guarantee your program will be certified. Please use the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ link on this page for more information on becoming a certified community provider.

NEW Effective October 31, 2025, all prospective providers must submit the certification application for DD and MHSU utilizing the newly automated Certification Automation Database, ACAP (Alabama Certification Automation Program).

Prospective Community Provider – Certification Orientation (Relias Training)

The Phase 2 training webinars will no longer be offered.  Beginning January 1, 2026, Prospective Providers will need to complete all training in Relias.

1. Prospective Provider Orientation (Phase 1 and Phase 2) will only be offered online via ADMH Relias Academy.
2. Relias training courses are now available for Mental Health Substance Use Services (MHSUS) and Developmental Disability (DD). 
3. If you have already completed the Phase 1 Relias training separately (with a valid certificate of completion), you are eligible for a $25 discount on the new Relias training material. Click here to learn more.
4. All Prospective Providers will be required to complete both phases of the training within one course, at their own pace, and download their certificate of completion. This certificate is required to apply for certification.