Community-based mental health care providers (CBMHCPs) are increasingly contacted by external researchers for research study recruitment. Unfortunately, many CBMHCPs do not possess the resources or personnel with the skills required to successfully evaluate research proposals for risk. Providing access to clients and client health information can result in harmful personal and legal consequences if the proper safeguards do not exist. This article discusses the legal requirements and practical implications for CBMHCPs as gatekeepers for providing access to clients as subjects in external research studies. A case study from a large CBMHCP is presented to describe the steps CBMHCPs can take to protect clients and avoid risk. Additional recommendations for establishing protective safeguards and research evaluation protocols in CBMHCPs are discussed.