Maryland Department of Health
Newsroom

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February 6, 2025

Media Contact:
Chase Cook, Director, Office of Communications, 410-767-8649 

Maryland Department of Health implements new behavioral health licensing process 
New application required for all community behavioral health providers

Baltimore, MD – The Maryland Department of Health today announced a new online application for all behavioral health licenses, effective February 10, 2025. The new system will replace the paper-based application process, making it easier for providers to apply and stay in compliance.

This step is one of many concrete, system-wide changes the Department is implementing to modernize, digitize and centralize the process for behavioral healthcare professionals — as well as to reduce fraud and waste — as part of the State’s overall effort to improve mental health and substance use disorder care for Marylanders. 

“The new online application process is part of a series of advancements we are making to enhance mental health, substance use, and other behavioral health care,” said Maryland Secretary of Health Dr. Laura Herrera Scott. “We are committed to evaluating every aspect of our systems to hold providers to high-quality health standards to protect Marylanders.”

The Department developed the new process in response to feedback from providers and a review of the previous paper-based licensing system. As part of that review, the Department:

  • Analyzed the volume and quality of applications submitted to identify challenges in the process.
  • Compared licensing practices with those of other administrations that license healthcare providers in Maryland.
  • Implemented change management strategies to enhance the application process, which included developing new workflows, providing staff training, and gathering feedback from the provider community and local behavioral health authorities.
  • Reviewed the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) to create a streamlined application process that improves compliance in provider application submissions.
“We are committed to implementing system-wide changes that focus on quality and outcomes,” said Deputy Secretary for Behavioral Health Alyssa Lord. “The new online submission process will improve the quality of applications submitted to be licensed as community behavioral health providers.”

The Behavioral Health Administration is hosting a series of demos to help ensure a smooth transition. Providers, as well as other interested stakeholders, are encouraged to join:

  • February 7, 2025, 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
    • Video Call or call: (‪US‬) ‪+1 470-310-0933‬ | PIN: ‪524 437 212#
  • February 11, 2025, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
    • Video Call or call: (US) + 1 337 359 2877 | PIN: 760 106 351#
  • February 18, 2025, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
    • Video Call or call: (US) + 1 786-618-2253 | PIN: 537 755 505#‬‬
  • February 20, 2025, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 
    • Video Call or call: (‪US‬)‪+1 818-806-8047‬ PIN: ‪656 212 041#‬
  • February 21, 2025, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. 
    • Video Call or call: (‪US‬) ‪+1 980-999-2706‬ PIN: ‪377 818 061#‬
  • February 24, 2025, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. 
    • Video Call or call: (‪US‬) ‪+1 413-728-2633‬ PIN: ‪972 204 339#‬
  • February 28, 2025, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
    • Video Call or call: (‪US‬) ‪+1 650-667-3832‬ PIN: ‪948 968 991#‬

For questions about the new online application process and training opportunities, please email bha.licensingcompliance@maryland.gov. 

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The Maryland Department of Health is dedicated to protecting and improving the health and safety of all Marylanders through disease prevention, access to care, quality management, and community engagement. 

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