How to Certify a Sober Living Home in Texas with TROHN: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide 

Why Certification Matters in Texas

Before diving into the process, it’s important to understand why sober house certification is so valuable:

• Required for state-funded programs: As of 2023, any sober home receiving state funding or referrals must be certified by TROHN or Oxford House.
• Preferred by referral sources: Treatment centers, probation programs, and healthcare providers increasingly require certification when referring residents.
• Liability protection: Certification helps demonstrate adherence to best practices and protects operators from legal risk.
• Enhanced credibility: Certification reassures families, residents, funders, and partners that the home meets rigorous safety, ethical, and operational standards.

Who Certifies Sober Living Homes in Texas?

Texas recognizes two certifying organizations for recovery housing:

1. Texas Recovery Oriented Housing Network (TROHN) — the Texas affiliate of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR), certifying Level 1–4 homes.
2. Oxford House, Inc. — certifying Oxford House peer-run recovery homes through its internal charter process.

This guide focuses on TROHN certification, which applies to the vast majority of non-Oxford sober living homes in Texas.

Overview of the TROHN Certification Process

Certification through TROHN involves 7 key steps:

1️⃣ Prepare Your Home and Documentation

Before you apply, ensure your home is fully operational and that your policies, procedures, and safety standards meet NARR requirements.

You’ll need to gather:

• Resident handbook and house rules
• Intake and discharge procedures
• Emergency plans and fire safety protocols
• Staff qualifications (if applicable)
• Proof of insurance coverage
• Good Neighbor policies
• Grievance policies
• Drug and alcohol testing protocols
• Compliance with Fair Housing and ADA rules

💡 Tip: TROHN provides a self-assessment checklist to help you prepare your documentation.

2️⃣ Submit an Online Sober House Certification Application

Applications are submitted through TROHN’s online certification portal at trohn.org.

The application will require you to:

• Enter business and property information
• Upload all policies and supporting documents
• Complete legal attestations about your operations, ethics, and compliance
• Specify your intended NARR Level (Level 1–4)

You can save your progress and return to the application as needed.

3️⃣ Pay the Sober Living Certification Fee

As of the current fee schedule:

• Base fee: $500
• Plus: $10 per bed

For example, an 8-bed home would pay $500 + $80 = $580.

Fees cover document review, interviews, the site visit, and a 2-year certification period.

4️⃣ Document Review by TROHN

After submitting your application, TROHN’s certification team will carefully review your documentation to ensure you meet the NARR standards.

During this phase, TROHN may:

• Request clarification or additional documentation
• Ask follow-up questions about policies or procedures
• Offer technical assistance to help you correct minor deficiencies

5️⃣ Virtual Recovery Housing Operator Interview

TROHN will schedule a virtual interview with the operator and key staff (if applicable). This interview assesses:

• The home’s recovery culture
• Daily operations and resident engagement
• House governance and accountability systems
• Compliance with recovery residence best practices

The interview also helps TROHN verify the correct NARR Level for your home.

6️⃣ Recovery Residence Certification Inspection

TROHN will conduct a comprehensive on-site review to verify that the home’s physical environment aligns with certification standards.

During the visit, TROHN will check for:

• Clean, safe, and well-maintained living spaces
• Fire safety equipment (smoke detectors, fire extinguishers)
• Emergency evacuation plans
• Occupancy compliance (proper space per resident)
• Evidence of peer support (chore charts, house meetings, posted rules)
• Documentation files (resident agreements, emergency contacts, meeting logs)

Inspectors may speak with residents (with permission) to confirm the recovery-supportive atmosphere.

7️⃣ Sober House Certification Decision by TROHN

Following the site visit, TROHN will:

• Approve full certification (usually valid for 2 years), or
• Issue provisional certification pending minor corrections, or
• Request additional compliance steps if deficiencies are identified

Once certified, your home will be listed in TROHN’s directory of certified recovery residences — a valuable tool for referrals, partnerships, and funding eligibility.

NARR Certification Levels Explained

During the application, you’ll specify which level your program operates under:

NARR Level	Type of Support	Typical Staffing
Level 1	Peer-run home	No staff; self-managed
Level 2	Monitored residence	House manager (live-in or on-call)
Level 3	Supervised residence	Staff-supervised with structured programming
Level 4	Service-provider model	Licensed treatment program

Most non-clinical sober living homes fall into Level 2 or Level 3.

👉 For a full explanation of each NARR level, see our article: NARR Certification Levels Explained.

Sober House Certification Timeline

• Document preparation: 2–4 weeks
• Application submission and review: 2–4 weeks
• Virtual interview scheduling: 1–2 weeks
• On-site inspection scheduling: 2–4 weeks (subject to TROHN availability)
• Final decision: 1–2 weeks after inspection

Total estimated timeframe: 6 to 12 weeks depending on readiness and scheduling.

💡 Pro Tip: Begin certification well in advance of any grant application or funding deadlines.

Maintaining Recovery Residence Certification

Certification requires ongoing compliance:

• Certification is valid for 2 years
• Renewal includes updated documentation, possible site re-inspection, and renewal fees
• TROHN may conduct periodic spot checks or respond to grievances
• Operators must notify TROHN of significant changes (location, capacity, ownership)

What If My Sober Home Doesn’t Pass?

TROHN works collaboratively with applicants. If deficiencies are identified:

• TROHN will issue specific correction requests
• You may receive provisional approval pending compliance
• Outright denial is rare unless major, unresolved issues exist

Benefits of Sober House Certification in Texas

Certified recovery residences in Texas gain:

• Access to HHSC funding programs (Be Well Texas, Project HOMES, TTOR)
• Priority referrals from treatment centers, courts, and state agencies
• Enhanced liability protection
• Increased visibility in public directories
• Higher occupancy rates through increased public trust
• Eligibility for private grants and contracts

Conclusion

Certification through the Texas Recovery Oriented Housing Network (TROHN) is more than just a credential — it’s a commitment to excellence in recovery housing. While the process requires careful preparation, the long-term benefits for both operators and residents are significant.

If you’re ready to pursue TROHN certification, contact us today for expert assistance navigating the process. Our team can help you prepare your documentation, policies, and home to meet NARR standards with confidence.