To satisfy a Georgia court order, your alcohol and drug evaluation must be conducted by a certified clinical evaluator approved by the Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH). While the provider may be a private practitioner, their certification must be state-approved to be legally binding under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391.

If a judge has ordered you to get an alcohol and drug evaluation for a DUI, reckless driving, or possession charge, the terminology can be confusing. You hear the phrase “state-approved” and may immediately think of a large government building. At the same time, your online search reveals hundreds of private counseling centers.

This creates a common and valid concern: Do I have to go to a government office, or can a private counselor handle this?

The answer is crucial. Understanding the difference between a standard therapist and a state-certified professional is the key to avoiding costly delays and legal headaches.

Clearing the Confusion: What “State-Approved” Actually Means

A common misunderstanding is that “state-approved” means you must visit a specific government facility to complete your evaluation. This is incorrect.

In Georgia, the state does not directly employ the professionals who conduct these assessments. Instead, the Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) manages a strict credentialing system and maintains a list known as the Clinical Evaluator Registry.

“State-Approved” refers to the individual professional’s certification, not the building they work in.

A private therapist or counselor can absolutely be a “state-approved” evaluator. However, they must hold this specific designation from the GDPH.

This distinction is vital. You could be a patient of the most respected therapist in Atlanta, but if they are not on the official GDPH Registry, they cannot perform a legally valid alcohol and drug evaluation marietta for your court case. General therapy and court-ordered forensic evaluations are separate disciplines.

The Risks of Non-Certified Private Evaluations

What happens when you present an evaluation from a non-certified provider?

Imagine this scenario: you find an inexpensive online evaluation, complete it, and receive a professional-looking certificate. You bring this document to your court date, feeling prepared.

The prosecutor then checks the GDPH Registry and finds your evaluator’s name is not on it.

This leads to several negative consequences:

• Immediate Rejection: The judge will not accept your paperwork. In the eyes of the court, it is legally invalid.
• Wasted Money: You lose the money you paid for the useless evaluation and must now pay for a second, legitimate one.
• Case Delays: The court will likely postpone your case, forcing you to take more time off work to resolve the issue.
• Probation Violations: If the court gave you a strict deadline, you might now be in violation of your bond or probation terms.

Using a non-certified provider is the same as not completing the evaluation at all.

What Makes an Evaluation “Certified”?

How can you confirm that a private provider is qualified to perform a valid alcohol and drug evaluation?

Legitimate professionals, like those at AACS Atlanta, follow clear state guidelines. When vetting an evaluator, you must confirm they meet three specific requirements.

1. The DUI Intervention Program Registry

The evaluator must have an active certification on the Georgia DUI Intervention Program registry, which is managed by the GDPH.

To get on this registry, professionals need a relevant master’s degree, a state license (like LPC or LCSW), and specialized training in addiction and traffic safety.

Always ask a potential provider: “Are you on the GDPH Clinical Evaluator Registry? “ If they hesitate or give a vague answer, it is a major red flag.

2. State-Mandated Assessment Tools

A certified evaluation is a formal clinical process, not just a casual conversation.

State rules require the use of standardized screening tests. These instruments help objectively identify substance use disorders, even when a person tries to downplay their habits.

Commonly used tools include:

• SASSI-4 (Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory)
• MAST (Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test)
• DAST (Drug Abuse Screening Test)

If an evaluator only asks a few questions and writes a letter, they are not following the required clinical standards.

3. Compliance with ASAM Criteria

If the evaluation recommends treatment, that plan must align with the ASAM Criteria (American Society of Addiction Medicine).

This is the national standard for placing patients in the appropriate level of care. A certified evaluator cannot just invent a treatment plan; they must use clinical data to justify why a certain level of care is necessary. This ensures you receive appropriate recommendations.

Cost Transparency: The $150 Rule

• One of the easiest ways to identify a fraudulent or unapproved provider is by the price.
• The state of Georgia regulates the fee for these evaluations to ensure fairness and prevent scams.
• The state-mandated minimum fee for a clinical evaluation is $150.
• This fee is established by the GDPH.

If you see an offer for a “$50 DUI Evaluation” or a “Free Assessment,” you should be very skeptical. A provider advertising a price below the state minimum is signaling that they are operating outside the legal framework.

Paying the standard $150 fee is an initial sign that you are dealing with a compliant and ethical professional.

Telehealth vs. In-Person: The Modern Standard

In the past, completing a “state-approved” evaluation almost always meant an in-person visit. Today, that has changed.

The GDPH now permits certified private evaluators to conduct sessions via telehealth. This is a significant benefit for people who may have transportation challenges after a license suspension.

However, the same rules apply to virtual appointments.

• HIPAA Compliance: The session must occur on a secure, encrypted video platform, not a standard app like FaceTime.
• Video is Required: The evaluator must see you to properly conduct the assessment. A phone call is not sufficient.
• In-State Licensing: The evaluator must be licensed and located in Georgia, even for a virtual meeting.

You can legally choose a private, certified evaluator who offers virtual appointments. This option provides the convenience of a private practice with the full authority required by the court.

The Right Choice for Your Case

Ultimately, the choice is not between a “state-approved” or “private” provider. It is between a certified clinical evaluator and an uncertified one.

You can and likely will use a private practice for your court-ordered assessment. Your responsibility is to ensure that the professional you choose holds the correct state certification.

Do not risk your legal future by cutting corners. Confirm that your evaluator is on the registry, uses the correct assessment tools, and charges the mandated fee. This diligence ensures your paperwork will be accepted without any issues.

Ready to get this done right the first time? Schedule your state-approved alcohol and drug evaluation with AACS Atlanta today to ensure 100% court acceptance.