240 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Q: What is the primary purpose of Florida Statute 397.4871?
ANSWER To regulate recovery residences to ensure they provide safe,
supportive environments for individuals in recovery from substance use
disorders.
2. Q: Who is required to obtain CRRA certification in Florida?
ANSWER Any individual who serves as an administrator or manager of a
recovery residence that operates in Florida.
3. Q: What is the minimum age requirement for CRRA certification?
ANSWER 21 years of age.
4. Q: How many hours of initial training are required for CRRA
certification?
ANSWER 40 hours of initial training from an approved provider.
5. Q: What is the continuing education requirement for CRRA renewal?
ANSWER 20 hours of continuing education every two years.
6. Q: What constitutes a recovery residence under Florida law?
ANSWER A residential dwelling unit or facility that provides a alcohol and
drug-free living environment for persons recovering from substance abuse.
7. Q: What is the maximum occupancy allowed in a recovery residence?
ANSWER Generally 10 residents, though this may vary based on local zoning
and building codes.
8. Q: Are recovery residences required to be licensed in Florida?
ANSWER No, recovery residences are not required to be licensed, but
administrators must be certified.
,9. Q: What is the definition of "administrator" under Florida statute?
ANSWER A person who has operational control and management
responsibility for the recovery residence.
10. Q: Can a CRRA operate multiple recovery residences?
ANSWER Yes, but each residence must have proper oversight and the CRRA
must ensure compliance at all locations.
11. Q: What background screening is required for CRRA certification?
ANSWER Level 2 background screening including fingerprinting and
criminal history check.
12. Q: What disqualifies someone from CRRA certification?
ANSWER Certain felony convictions, especially those related to fraud, theft,
violence, or substance abuse within specified timeframes.
13. Q: What is the penalty for operating a recovery residence without
proper CRRA certification?
ANSWER First-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and
$1,000 fine.
14. Q: Who oversees CRRA certification in Florida?
ANSWER The Florida Certification Board (FCB).
15. Q: What is required for CRRA certification renewal?
ANSWER Completion of continuing education hours and payment of renewal
fees every two years.
16. Q: Can CRRA certification be revoked?
ANSWER Yes, for violations of statutes, rules, or ethical standards.
17. Q: What is the appeals process for CRRA certification denial or
revocation?
ANSWER Administrative hearing process through the Florida Division of
Administrative Hearings.
18. Q: Are recovery residences subject to local zoning laws?
ANSWER Yes, but they are generally treated as single-family residential use
under fair housing protections.
19. Q: What reporting requirements exist for recovery residences?
ANSWER Annual reporting to the Department of Children and Families
including resident statistics and outcomes.
20. Q: Can recovery residences charge fees to residents?
ANSWER Yes, reasonable fees for housing, food, and services are permitted.
, 21. Q: What is the Fair Housing Act's application to recovery residences?
ANSWER Recovery residences are protected as housing for individuals with
disabilities (substance use disorders).
22. Q: What constitutes discrimination against a recovery residence?
ANSWER Denying housing, different terms/conditions, or harassment based
on disability status of residents.
23. Q: Are there restrictions on where recovery residences can be located?
ANSWER Generally no, beyond standard residential zoning, but some local
ordinances may apply.
24. Q: What is required for resident admission to a recovery residence?
ANSWER Assessment of appropriateness for residence level of care and
commitment to recovery goals.
25. Q: Can recovery residences provide clinical services?
ANSWER Only if properly licensed to do so; most provide supportive
services only.
26. Q: What is the difference between a recovery residence and a treatment
facility?
ANSWER Recovery residences provide housing and peer support; treatment
facilities provide clinical services.
27. Q: Are there staffing requirements for recovery residences?
ANSWER Must have qualified administrator (CRRA) and appropriate
supervision based on residence level.
28. Q: What is required for medication management in recovery
residences?
ANSWER Residents self-administer medications; staff cannot distribute
prescription medications.
29. Q: Can recovery residences exclude certain types of substance use
disorders?
ANSWER Generally no, if they accept federal funding or are subject to fair
housing laws.
30. Q: What documentation must be maintained for residents?
ANSWER Admission records, service plans, incident reports, and discharge
summaries.
1. Q: What is the primary purpose of Florida Statute 397.4871?
ANSWER To regulate recovery residences to ensure they provide safe,
supportive environments for individuals in recovery from substance use
disorders.
2. Q: Who is required to obtain CRRA certification in Florida?
ANSWER Any individual who serves as an administrator or manager of a
recovery residence that operates in Florida.
3. Q: What is the minimum age requirement for CRRA certification?
ANSWER 21 years of age.
4. Q: How many hours of initial training are required for CRRA
certification?
ANSWER 40 hours of initial training from an approved provider.
5. Q: What is the continuing education requirement for CRRA renewal?
ANSWER 20 hours of continuing education every two years.
6. Q: What constitutes a recovery residence under Florida law?
ANSWER A residential dwelling unit or facility that provides a alcohol and
drug-free living environment for persons recovering from substance abuse.
7. Q: What is the maximum occupancy allowed in a recovery residence?
ANSWER Generally 10 residents, though this may vary based on local zoning
and building codes.
8. Q: Are recovery residences required to be licensed in Florida?
ANSWER No, recovery residences are not required to be licensed, but
administrators must be certified.
,9. Q: What is the definition of "administrator" under Florida statute?
ANSWER A person who has operational control and management
responsibility for the recovery residence.
10. Q: Can a CRRA operate multiple recovery residences?
ANSWER Yes, but each residence must have proper oversight and the CRRA
must ensure compliance at all locations.
11. Q: What background screening is required for CRRA certification?
ANSWER Level 2 background screening including fingerprinting and
criminal history check.
12. Q: What disqualifies someone from CRRA certification?
ANSWER Certain felony convictions, especially those related to fraud, theft,
violence, or substance abuse within specified timeframes.
13. Q: What is the penalty for operating a recovery residence without
proper CRRA certification?
ANSWER First-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and
$1,000 fine.
14. Q: Who oversees CRRA certification in Florida?
ANSWER The Florida Certification Board (FCB).
15. Q: What is required for CRRA certification renewal?
ANSWER Completion of continuing education hours and payment of renewal
fees every two years.
16. Q: Can CRRA certification be revoked?
ANSWER Yes, for violations of statutes, rules, or ethical standards.
17. Q: What is the appeals process for CRRA certification denial or
revocation?
ANSWER Administrative hearing process through the Florida Division of
Administrative Hearings.
18. Q: Are recovery residences subject to local zoning laws?
ANSWER Yes, but they are generally treated as single-family residential use
under fair housing protections.
19. Q: What reporting requirements exist for recovery residences?
ANSWER Annual reporting to the Department of Children and Families
including resident statistics and outcomes.
20. Q: Can recovery residences charge fees to residents?
ANSWER Yes, reasonable fees for housing, food, and services are permitted.
, 21. Q: What is the Fair Housing Act's application to recovery residences?
ANSWER Recovery residences are protected as housing for individuals with
disabilities (substance use disorders).
22. Q: What constitutes discrimination against a recovery residence?
ANSWER Denying housing, different terms/conditions, or harassment based
on disability status of residents.
23. Q: Are there restrictions on where recovery residences can be located?
ANSWER Generally no, beyond standard residential zoning, but some local
ordinances may apply.
24. Q: What is required for resident admission to a recovery residence?
ANSWER Assessment of appropriateness for residence level of care and
commitment to recovery goals.
25. Q: Can recovery residences provide clinical services?
ANSWER Only if properly licensed to do so; most provide supportive
services only.
26. Q: What is the difference between a recovery residence and a treatment
facility?
ANSWER Recovery residences provide housing and peer support; treatment
facilities provide clinical services.
27. Q: Are there staffing requirements for recovery residences?
ANSWER Must have qualified administrator (CRRA) and appropriate
supervision based on residence level.
28. Q: What is required for medication management in recovery
residences?
ANSWER Residents self-administer medications; staff cannot distribute
prescription medications.
29. Q: Can recovery residences exclude certain types of substance use
disorders?
ANSWER Generally no, if they accept federal funding or are subject to fair
housing laws.
30. Q: What documentation must be maintained for residents?
ANSWER Admission records, service plans, incident reports, and discharge
summaries.
