Application for Certification

There are many Recovery Residences throughout Virginia. Many provide safe, ethical, and nurturing housing for the populations they serve. There are some, however, that do not. VARR accredited houses demonstrate adherence to a rigorous set of standards. Compliance is affirmed through submission of extensive documentation, annual onsite inspections, participation in sponsored training, and events and responsiveness to all reported concerns and/or grievances. ​National Standards can be reviewed at NARRonline.org

If you are interested in obtaining VARR accreditation of a recovery residence, please complete the application below and a member from our team will reach out to begin the accreditation process.

Changes made in the 2025 Virginia General Assembly now require recovery residences to be certified in order to remain active and legally operate in coordination with state agencies. To support independent operators in meeting this requirement, the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) has established a Conditional Certification process, allowing time to achieve full accreditation through a DBHDS-recognized certifying body. If you are going to apply for VARR accreditation and have not yet completed the DBHDS Conditional Certification, please see below.

Key Highlights:

  • Tiered Certification Structure
    • Tier 1: Initial conditional certification for 6 months
    • Tier 2: One-time 90-day extension (based on demonstrated progress)
    • Not Certified: Termination of certification due to insufficient progress
  • Progress Monitoring
    • Applicants must provide documentation, as requested, showing meaningful steps toward full accreditation through an approved body (e.g., VARR, Oxford House).
    • A 5-month check-in will assess progress and determine eligibility for continuation or extension.
  • Enforcement
    • Operating without certification may be subject to penalties, including a Class 1 misdemeanor under Virginia law.

For your convenience you can also access the application using this direct link: https://forms.office.com/g/5ub0u17xDu. The application should take about 5 minutes to complete.

Questions? If you have any questions or concerns about completing the form on time, please contact the DBHDS Recovery Residence Office immediately at rrofva@dbhds.virginia.gov

Types of Recovery Residences as defined by the National Alliance for Recovery Residences​

Level I / Type P (Peer-run) 

Are democratically run alcohol and illicit substance-free recovery homes. Oxford Houses™ are the most widely known example and researched as indicated by their inclusion in SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 2023). Level I recovery residences maintain a recovery-supportive culture and community using house rules and peer accountability. The key characteristic of a Level I is that they are democratically governed.

Level II / Type M (Monitored)

Are frequently called sober homes or sober living. They are alcohol and illicit substance-free recovery housing that utilize house rules and peer accountability to maintain safe and healthy living environments. Senior residents, appointed by the owner/operator to serve as the head of household, are typically called the House Manager. To serve higher needs/lower recovery capital populations, such as transition aged youth (e.g., youth 16-25 years of age) with opioid use disorders, some Level II’s provide recovery support services and life skills development but at a lower intensity than Level III’s.

Level III / Type S (Supervised)

Delivers weekly, structured programming including peer-based and other recovery support services (e.g. recovery and resiliency groups or person-driven recovery plans) and life skills development programming (e.g., job readiness or budgeting). Staff are supervised, trained, or credentialed and are often graduates of a recovery residence. Level III’s are designed to support populations who need more intense support in developing recovery capital than provided by Level I or Level II. Level III’s are required to be licensed in a few states, reflecting the therapeutic nature of the services provided.

Level IV / Type C (Clinical) 

Integrates the social and medical model typically using a combination of supervised peer and professional staff. In addition to peer-based recovery support, recovery support services, and life skills development, Level IV’s offer clinical addiction treatment. While all Level IV residence programs incorporate clinical treatment services, treatment programs lacking essential social model organizing principles would not qualify as Level IV recovery residences. Throughout the 1990s, many treatment programs discontinued their social model elements, a distinct departure from today’s residential community approach. An example of a Level IV is a recovery residence that implements social model care in a therapeutic community.

One size does not fit all; different tools and techniques are useful with different people with various severities of challenges. Participants in recovery residences can explore many recovery attitudes and associated pathways by having multiple peers who model a variety of recovery behaviors.

Application for Accreditation

  1. Complete VARR’s Application for Accreditation. For application questions please contact the VARR Office directly (804) 593-1360, info@varronline.org or use the contact submission on the website. **The online application is the first step of the Accreditation Process.
  2. A VARR team member will contact you to review and initiate the Accreditation Process as well as provided all necessary materials.
  3. Once your recovery residence is accredited, you will be required to pay the $750.00 Affiliate Fee plus the $10 per bed Accreditation Fee.
  4. If you do not pass  the recovery residence physical inspection, the VARR office will notify you of what is required and work with you to establish an appropriate timeline before a final inspection is scheduled.
  5. Once accreditation has been achieved, your organization will be provided with a VARR member certificate, as well as a high-res VARR logo to put on your website. Each house will be provided with an inspection certificate and VARR ID Number to display.

Application Form

(804)593-1360