Does an addiction medicine or MAT clinic in Georgia need a medical director?

Q: Does an addiction medicine or MAT clinic in Georgia 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'; the rule itself does not specify additional degree/board-certification criteria beyond physician licensure.

💊 Addiction Medicine / MAT Clinic · Georgia

Georgia: medical director and delegated services for an addiction medicine or MAT clinic

Whether Georgia 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 date2026-08-14

Qualifications

Physician — 42 CFR § 8.12(b)(1) requires the program to 'formally designate a program sponsor and medical director'; the rule itself does not specify additional degree/board-certification criteria beyond physician licensure.

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))
Review initial medical examinations and approve treatment commencement

Notes

Federal requirement (42 CFR Part 8, SAMHSA) for any certified opioid treatment program (methadone or OTP clinic) regardless of state; Georgia's own DBHDD licensing rules for OTPs are expected to echo it. Applies to OTP and methadone settings, not office-based buprenorphine prescribing.

Sources (1)

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

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