How to Become Certified

1. Review the application (PDF).

2. Ensure your hospital can meet the criteria listed in the application for the level in which you are applying.

3. Submit your application.

Note: Your responses are saved if you need to exit the application before it's submitted. However, we highly recommend completing the application in one sitting.

If you have questions or need guidance, contact us via email.

Suggested Application Content to Meet Criteria

Emergency Department Activities

Criterion 1: Screens emergency department patients for at-risk substance use and substance use disorder (Level 3)

• Screening tool/questions

• Screening administration protocol/guideline

• Description of intervention in response to positive screen (or declined screen)

Criterion 2: Emergency department discharge protocol (Level 3)

• ED discharge protocol (as per HOPE Act)

Criterion 3: Prescribes naloxone to emergency department patients (Level 3)

• ED prescribing protocol OR description of prescribing practices

Criterion 4: Initiates treatment for emergency department patients (Level 3)

• ED initiation protocol/guideline

• Number of patients initiated for MAT within the past month

• The transition of care / facilitated referral protocol OR description of the referral process

Criterion 5: Prescribing guidelines for opioid analgesics (Level 3)

• Guidelines

• Mechanism for promulgation

Criterion 6: Provides educational materials about safe storage & disposal to patients who are prescribed opioids (Level 3)
 

• Text/image of materials

Criterion 7: Offers peer or similar support services to emergency department patients (Level 2)

• Scope of practice for support specialists 

• Protocol for offering recovery support resources for ED patients OR description of recovery support practices

• Number of patients receiving recovery support services and types of recovery support services over the past month

Criterion 11: Monitors fidelity to prescribing guidelines (Level 2)

• Mechanism for monitoring

• Description of interventions available in cases of overprescribing

• Aggregate data about provider adherence to guidelines, stratified by practice setting

Criterion 14: Dispenses naloxone to emergency department patients and admitted patients (Level 1)

• Dispensing protocol/guideline OR description of dispensing practices

• Number of kits dispensed within the past month, stratified by insurance status of patients (if available)

Inpatient Activities

Criterion 5: Prescribing guidelines for opioid analgesics    

• Guidelines

• Mechanism for promulgation

Criterion 6: Education materials about storage & disposal to patients who are prescribed opioids    

• Text/image of materials

Criterion 8: Screens directly admitted patients for at-risk substance use and SUD    

• Screening tool/questions

• Screening administration protocol/guideline

• Description of intervention in response to positive screen (or declined screen)

Criterion 9: Prescribes naloxone to admitted patients    

• Inpatient prescribing protocol OR description of prescribing practices

Criterion 10: Initiates treatment for admitted patients    

• Inpatient prescribing protocol/guideline

• The transition of care / facilitated referral protocol OR description of the referral process

Criterion 11: Monitors fidelity to prescribing guidelines    

• Mechanism for monitoring

• Description of interventions available in cases of overprescribing

• Aggregate data about provider adherence to guidelines, stratified by practice setting

Criterion 12: Initiates treatment with any of three medications  

• Inpatient prescribing protocol/guideline

• The transition of care / facilitated referral protocol OR description of the referral process

Criterion 13: Offers peer or similar support services to admitted patients    

• Scope of practice for support specialists 

• Protocol for offering recovery support resources for ED patients OR description of recovery support practices

• Number of patients receiving recovery support services and types of recovery support services over the past month

Criterion 14: Dispenses naloxone to ED patients and admitted patients    

• Dispensing protocol/guideline OR description of dispensing practices

• Number of kits dispensed within the past month, stratified by insurance status of patients (if available)

Outpatient Activities

Criterion 15: Screens outpatients for at-risk substance use and SUD    

• Screening tool/questions

• Screening administration protocol/guideline

• Description of intervention in response to positive screen (or declined screen)

Criterion 16: Offers ongoing treatment for outpatients    

• Medication protocol

• Psychosocial support services available

• Description of referral process (e.g., if a patient needs a different treatment setting)