Residential Psychiatric Treatment Centers (RPTCs)
Licensing, oversight, and monitoring of Alaska RPTCs / PRTFs
Overview
A Residential Psychiatric Treatment Center (RPTC) is defined as a secure or semi-secure facility, or an inpatient program in another facility, that provides, under the direction of a physician, psychiatric diagnostic, evaluation, and treatment services on a 24-hour-a-day basis to children with severe emotional or behavioral disorders.
Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTFs) are RPTCs that also meet additional requirements described in federal regulations.
Who qualifies?
- RPTCs are required to be licensed in the State of Alaska.
- RPTCs that meet federal requirements (see Resources, below) may also be eligible for certification as a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF).
How to sign up
For questions about RPTC and PRTF licensing, oversight and certification prior to April 1, 2025, please contact the Residential Licensing Unit in Health Care Services.
Resources
Statutes and regulations
The following statutes and regulations apply to licensed Residential Psychiatric Treatment Centers (RPTCs) in Alaska.
- AS 47.32 Centralized Licensing and Related Administrative Procedures
- AS 47.05 Administration of Welfare, Social Services, and Institutions
- 7 AAC 50 Community Care Licensing
- 7 AAC 10 Licensing, Certification, and Approvals
In order to participate in Medicare, an RPTC must meet federal requirements and be separately certified and approved as a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF). Federal requirements for PRTFs are outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). More information on certification can be found at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Certification and Compliance page for PRTF providers:
PRTF Certification & Compliance