A preferred provider is an organization that has attained a certificate from the Department of Health and has an existing contract or grant from the Department to provide treatment for substance use disorder.
Substance Use Disorder Treatment Certification Rule

Seeking Public Comment: DSU has revised the Substance Use Preferred Provider Treatment Standards, related to the Substance Use Disorder Treatment Certification Rule.
Public comment closes on May 16, 2025. Final materials will be posted once the Standards have been updated based on the comments received.
Comments can be directed to: AHS.VDHSUDClinicalTeam@vermont.gov
The Substance Use Disorder Treatment Certification Rule provides certification and operational requirements for Vermont Department of Health approved and preferred providers.
Preferred Providers - Substance Use Disorder Treatment Standards are the procedural guidelines of practice for all DSU-funded substance use disorder treatment services in Vermont.
The Compliance Assessment Tool (CAT) is used during site visits to determine a Preferred Provider’s level of certification compliance by:
- Providing transparency about the Preferred Provider's compliance status;
- Highlighting areas that require action or emphasis; and
- Evaluating the level and type of technical assistance needs.