Most Georgia clinics offering psychedelic-assisted treatment don't realize they have less than three years to secure a new state license—or face felony penalties.
If your Georgia health services clinic offers ketamine infusions, psilocybin-assisted therapy, or other psychedelic-assisted treatments, a provision in HB717 likely hasn't reached your inbox yet. But it should have. Starting July 1, 2027, every clinic providing these services must hold a board-issued license—and the state is still writing the rules.
Under Section 1, subsection (d)(1) of HB717, the Medical Practice Act now covers the "regulation of the administration of psychedelic-assisted treatment and therapy." This means clinics cannot legally operate these services without obtaining a license from the state medical board.
The license requirement takes effect July 1, 2027. Before that date, the board must establish the full regulatory framework—application standards, fees, and compliance rules—no later than December 31, 2026. That gives the board one month to publish final regulations before licenses become mandatory.
This applies to any health services business in Georgia administering psychedelic-assisted treatment, including ketamine infusion clinics, psychiatric practices offering psilocybin therapy, and wellness centers providing related services. If you have multiple physical locations, each one needs its own separate, nontransferable license. This multiplies both the application burden and the renewal costs for multi-site operators.
Licenses must be renewed biennially (every two years), creating an ongoing compliance cycle.
Operating without a license after July 1, 2027 is a felony. Penalties include 1 to 5 years imprisonment and/or a fine of at least $1,000. This is not a civil violation or a warning-level offense—it's a criminal charge.
Timeline: You have until July 1, 2027 to obtain your license. The board's final rules will be published by December 31, 2026, giving you roughly six months to prepare your application before the deadline.
Next steps: Monitor the Georgia Medical Board's website for the proposed regulations, expected by late 2026. These will detail application fees, documentation requirements, facility standards, and any training or credential prerequisites. If you operate multiple locations, budget for separate license applications and renewal fees for each site.
Multi-site operators: Begin planning now. The nontransferable nature of each license means you cannot consolidate or transfer them between locations, so factor in separate compliance timelines and costs for each clinic.
This provision represents a significant shift in how Georgia regulates psychedelic-assisted medicine. Early clarity on your obligations—and the board's expectations—will help you meet the deadline without disruption.
Source: Georgia HB717, Section 1, subsection (d)(1), Medical Practice Act.