Alabama certificate of need
Alabama has a certificate of need program, run by Alabama State Health Planning and Development Agency (SHPDA); applications decided by the Certificate of Need Review Board. It covers 12 kinds of services, listed below.
- CON program
- Yes
- Services covered
- 12
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Alabama CON program
Alabama has a certificate of need program, run by Alabama State Health Planning and Development Agency (SHPDA); applications decided by the Certificate of Need Review Board. It covers 12 kinds of services, listed below.
- CON program
- Yes
- Program
- Certificate of Need
- Application fee
- Nonrefundable filing fee of 1% of the estimated project cost, minimum $3,500 and maximum $12,000 (indexed). Lower schedules apply to applicants with 50%+ Medicaid census (0.75%, $3,000–$8,000) and qualifying rural hospitals (0.75%, $1,500–$6,000). Letter of intent processing fee $300; reviewability determination request fee $1,200.
- Review timeline
- Agency has 15 days to decide whether an application is complete; the project review period is 90 days from the date the application is deemed complete, unless extended.
- Recent changes
- No repeal found. Rule 410-1-7-.21 (temporary fee surcharge) was repealed effective 9/14/2023; chapter 410-1-7 was last revised 12/15/2025.
- Statute
- Code of Ala. 1975, §22-21-260 et seq.; Ala. Admin. Code ch. 410-1
Services that need a certificate of need
- hospitals (general, specialized, psychiatric, long-term care)
- skilled nursing facilities
- intermediate care facilities
- rehabilitation centers
- ambulatory surgery facilities
- kidney disease treatment / freestanding dialysis
- community mental health centers
- alcohol and drug abuse facilities
- facilities for the developmentally disabled
- hospice
- home health agencies
- health maintenance organizations
Frequently asked questions
Does Alabama have a certificate of need law?
Alabama has a certificate of need program, run by Alabama State Health Planning and Development Agency (SHPDA); applications decided by the Certificate of Need Review Board. It covers 12 kinds of services, listed below.
How long does a Alabama CON review take?
Agency has 15 days to decide whether an application is complete; the project review period is 90 days from the date the application is deemed complete, unless extended.
How much is a Alabama CON application?
Nonrefundable filing fee of 1% of the estimated project cost, minimum $3,500 and maximum $12,000 (indexed). Lower schedules apply to applicants with 50%+ Medicaid census (0.75%, $3,000–$8,000) and qualifying rural hospitals (0.75%, $1,500–$6,000). Letter of intent processing fee $300; reviewability determination request fee $1,200.