Does an addiction medicine or MAT clinic in District of Columbia need a medical director?

Q: Does an addiction medicine or MAT clinic in District of Columbia need a medical director?

Yes. The rule calls the role Medical Director. Physician — 42 CFR § 8.12(b)(1) requires the program to 'formally designate a program sponsor and medical director.'

💊 Addiction Medicine / MAT Clinic · District of Columbia

District of Columbia: medical director and delegated services for an addiction medicine or MAT clinic

Whether District of Columbia requires a physician medical director for an addiction medicine or MAT clinic, the qualifications, duties, and what the state says about the staff who deliver protocol-driven services.

Medical directorMedical director required

Research date2026-09-03

Qualifications

Physician — 42 CFR § 8.12(b)(1) requires the program to 'formally designate a program sponsor and medical director.'

Duties the rule assigns

Assume responsibility for all medical and behavioral health services performed by the OTP (§8.12(b)(2))
Ensure the OTP complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations (§8.12(b)(2))
Make/approve take-home medication eligibility determinations (§8.12(i)(2))

Notes

Federal requirement (42 CFR Part 8, SAMHSA) for any certified opioid treatment program (methadone or OTP clinic) regardless of jurisdiction, including DC. DC's own DBH-administered OTP certification rules are expected to echo it.

Sources (1)

42 CFR § 8.12(b) — Opioid treatment program certification standards, medical director designation and dutiessecondary

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