Sober Living Home Certification Guide

NARR (National Alliance for Recovery Residences)

What is NARR?

The National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2011 by a group of organizations and individuals with extensive experience in recovery housing from across the country. NARR serves as the national authority on recovery housing standards and best practices.

Key Facts:

• NARR does not certify individual recovery residences directly
• Certification is handled by NARR's state affiliates
• Over 2,500 certified recovery residences exist across the United States
• 36 U.S. states utilize NARR accreditation standards
• Collectively, state affiliates support over 25,000 persons in addiction recovery living in over 3,000 certified recovery residences

Website: narronline.org

NARR Standard 3.0

NARR released Version 3.0 of its standard in November 2018. This is the current version used for certification across all state affiliates.

Key Points About Standard 3.0:

• Operationalizes the Social Model across four Domains, 10 Principles, and 31 Standards
• Does not introduce new operational rules beyond Version 2.0
• Restates requirements more logically for improved clarity
• Provides more explicit guidance to providers
• Includes metrics for evaluating peer support components

The Four Domains

The NARR Standard organizes requirements into four core domains:

The 10 Principles and 31 Standards

The standards are organized under 10 core principles:

Physical Environment Requirements (Examples):

• Minimum 50 square feet per bed per sleeping room
• Home-like entrances and exits
• Personal item storage for each resident
• Food storage space for each resident
• All appliances in safe, working condition

Four Levels of Support

NARR defines four levels of recovery housing, differentiated by staffing intensity, governance structure, and recovery support services. All levels offer alcohol and illicit substance-free living environments using a social model approach.

Level I: Peer-Run Residences

Characteristics:

• Democratically self-governed by residents
• No on-site staff (except for recovery plans, screenings, or maintenance)
• Peer-to-peer support model
• Oxford Houses are the most widely known example
• Residents typically have minimum 9 months of sobriety
• Long-term residents who self-identify as in recovery

Best For: Individuals who have completed treatment and have stable recovery

Level II: Monitored Residences

Characteristics:

• House manager or senior resident provides oversight
• More structured than Level I
• Peer accountability systems in place
• May have required house meetings

Best For: Individuals with stable recovery who want more structure and peer accountability

Level III: Supervised Residences

Characteristics:

• Trained staff providing clinical oversight
• Staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Staff has formal training
• Offers peer-support services (life skill mentoring, recovery planning, meal preparation)
• No clinical services performed at the residence
• Mix of peer leaders and professional staff

Best For: Persons requiring more structured environment during early recovery

Level IV: Service Provider Residences

Characteristics:

• Transitional housing with comprehensive services
• Offered by licensed service providers
• Residents receive intensive outpatient or higher levels of outpatient care
• Staffed 24 hours a day
• Combines outpatient licensable services with recovery residential living
• Therapeutic Communities fall into this category

Licensing Note: Level IV homes often require state licensing as residential treatment facilities. In states like Ohio and Washington, Level III and IV homes require clinical licensing/certification beyond NARR certification.

How to Become NARR-Affiliated

For Recovery Residences (Seeking Certification)

1. Identify Your State Affiliate: Visit narronline.org/affiliates to find your state's NARR affiliate
2. Review NARR Standards: Familiarize yourself with NARR Standard 3.0
3. Submit Application: Apply through your state affiliate (not NARR directly)
4. Complete On-Site Inspection: Affiliate will inspect your residence
5. Address Any Deficiencies: Submit corrective action plan if needed
6. Receive Certification: Valid for 1 year, renewable annually

No State Affiliate? Contact NARR directly for guidance on establishing a new affiliate in your state.

For Organizations (Starting a State Affiliate)

1. Contact NARR: Express interest in establishing a state affiliate
2. Undergo Rigorous Review: NARR reviews the organization's qualifications
3. Receive Charter: Become a designated state affiliate
4. Begin Certifying: Certify recovery residences in your state using NARR standards

FARR (Florida Association of Recovery Residences)

What is FARR?

The Florida Association of Recovery Residences (FARR) is a nonprofit organization and the official NARR state affiliate for Florida. Founded in 2011, FARR is designated under Florida Statute 397.487 as the state's credentialing entity for recovery residences.

Key Facts:

• Official NARR affiliate for Florida
• Operates in partnership with Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF)
• Certification backed by state statute (F.S. 397.487)
• Certifies non-clinical recovery residences (Levels I-III)

Contact Information:

• Website: farronline.org
• Email: Info@farronline.org
• Phone: 561.299.0405

FARR Certification Process Step-by-Step

Step 1: Prepare Your Organization

Before applying, ensure you have:

• Legal business structure established
• Policies and procedures documented
• Staff with required credentials
• Physical location meeting NARR standards

Step 2: Obtain CRRA Credential

Requirement: At least one Certified Recovery Residence Administrator (CRRA) per 50 clients (effective July 1, 2022)

The CRRA credential is obtained through the Florida Certification Board (FCB):

CRRA Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED
• 1,000 hours of behavioral health related work experience
• 10 hours of on-the-job supervision
• 100 hours of continuing education
• Pass the CRRA examination
• Background screening (Level II)

CRRA Costs:

• Application fee: $100
• Annual renewal fee: $100
• Background screening fees (paid separately)

Staff Ratios:

• Standard: 1 CRRA per 50 residents
• With FARR-approved policy: 1 CRRA per 100 residents
• Level IV (with treatment provider): Up to 150 residents with 1:8 personnel-to-patients and 1:10 personnel-to-residents ratios

Step 3: Submit Application

Required Documents:

• Completed application form
• Proof of satisfactory fire inspection
• Proof of satisfactory safety inspection
• Proof of satisfactory health inspection
• Level II Background Clearance for all owners, directors, and CFOs (per FS.397.487)
• Organizational information (legal structure, locations, key contacts)
• Agreement to FARR Certification and Compliance Agreement
• Acknowledgment of NARR Codes of Ethics

Step 4: Pay Application Fee

• Payment due within 10 days of invoice
• Paid through FARR's online payment system

Step 5: On-Site Assessment

FARR staff will:

• Review consents, logs, records, and protocols
• Tour your location
• Verify compliance with NARR standards
• Confirm operations align with documented policies

Step 6: Corrective Action (If Needed)

If deficiencies are found:

• FARR submits report outlining areas needing attention
• Provider must submit Corrective Action Plan within 30 days
• FARR reviews and verifies corrections

Step 7: Receive Certification

Once all compliance measures are met, provider receives annual certification.

FARR Costs and Fees

Annual Renewal Process

1. FARR initiates renewal 90 days prior to expiration
2. Provider confirms organization information
3. Pay renewal fees
4. Schedule next on-site assessment
5. Complete assessment
6. Receive renewed certification

Complaint and Grievance Handling

Filing a Grievance:

• Timeline: File within 30 days of when violation became known or suspected
• Format: Must use FARR Formal Grievance Form (verbal grievances not accepted)
• Submission: Submit to FARR Executive Director or FARR Ethics Committee Chairman

Possible Sanctions:

• Written Reprimand with Corrective Action request
• Summary Suspension with Corrective Action request
• Revocation of certification
• Denial of application for membership

2025-2026 Legislative Updates

• Local governments cannot enact ordinances regulating duration/frequency of resident stays in certified recovery residences in multifamily zoning districts (sunsets July 1, 2026)
• Operators certified before July 1, 2025 have additional protections from local government restrictions

State-by-State Certification Bodies

NARR State Affiliates Directory

The following states have official NARR affiliates that certify recovery residences:

States Without NARR Affiliates (as of 2026): Arkansas, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming

For states without affiliates, contact NARR directly at narronline.org for guidance.

Mandatory vs. Voluntary Certification by State

States with Mandatory Licensing

Note: Oxford House model (self-run) homes may have exceptions in some states.

States with Voluntary Certification Programs

These states have established voluntary certification programs but do not mandate licensing:

• Florida (FARR certification backed by state statute)
• Massachusetts (MASH certification; state agencies can only refer to certified homes)
• Missouri
• Rhode Island
• Pennsylvania
• Illinois
• California (CCAPP certification required to receive public funds)
• New York (OASAS and NYSARR certifications both voluntary)

Special State Considerations

Arizona:

• Mandatory ADHS License: Required to operate legally
• Voluntary AzRHA Certification: Quality seal, may expedite ADHS licensing process
• House Manager Requirements: Must live on-site, be 21+, have 1+ year sobriety, current CPR and Narcan certification
• AzRHA Membership: $400/year per organization
• AzRHA Inspection: $100 per house

California:

• CCAPP Certification: Required to receive state contracts or public funds
• DHCS License: Required only if providing substance use disorder treatment
• Level II sober homes (peer support only): No DHCS license required

Massachusetts:

• MASH Certification: Since September 1, 2016, state agencies and vendors can only refer to certified homes
• Access to Recovery (ATR) Program: Financial assistance available only for MASH-certified sober houses

New York: Two parallel voluntary certification options:

OASAS Funding: Up to $75,000 per site (Opioid Settlement Funding), max 3 sites per provider

Benefits of Certification

Access to Referrals

Certification significantly increases referrals from:

State Requirement Example: In Massachusetts, state agencies and their vendors can ONLY refer clients to certified alcohol and drug-free housing (since September 1, 2016).

Grant Funding Eligibility

Certification is increasingly becoming a prerequisite for funding opportunities:

Federal Grant Sources

2025 SAMHSA Award Range: $500,000 (minimum) to $2,961,809 (maximum) per state

Essential Requirements for 2026 Grant Success

• Property secured (owned or leased with documentation)
• 501(c)(3) nonprofit status (for most federal and foundation grants)
• Complete business plan and budget
• Outcomes tracking system (increasingly critical)
• NARR certification or state equivalent (increasingly required)

Finding Grants

• Grants.gov: Filter by "Housing," "Substance Abuse," or "Justice"
• Sign up for alerts from SAMHSA and Bureau of Justice Assistance
• State behavioral health agencies: Often offer grants using federal block grant funds
• Opioid settlement funds: Many states allocating for recovery housing

Insurance and Reimbursement Considerations

What Insurance Typically Covers

Why Housing Isn't Covered: Sober living homes are classified as transitional housing, not formal medical or clinical care settings. They do not provide clinical treatment services.

Revenue Opportunities for Certified Homes

• Resident fees (average: $1,500-$2,000/month)
• Contracts with treatment programs (fee-for-service)
• County/state subsidies for bed reservations
• Partnership contracts with criminal justice systems
• Hospital discharge planning contracts

Credibility and Trust

Certification provides:

• Professional seal of approval demonstrating compliance with national standards
• Enhanced credibility with families, neighbors, and zoning officials
• Trust from residents seeking safe recovery environments
• Competitive advantage over non-certified homes
• Protection in legal/regulatory matters
• Listing in official directories (state and national)

Partnership Opportunities

Certified homes are preferred partners for:

• Local treatment centers (steady referral relationships)
• Continuum of Care organizations
• Workforce development agencies
• Probation and parole departments
• Peer recovery organizations
• Hospital systems (aftercare housing)