In a coating/developing apparatus, a process section includes
post-exposure baking units each having a waiting position and configured
to perform a baking process on a substrate. An interface section transfer
mechanism includes a first transfer mechanism configured to transfer the
substrate to and from the process section and to load the substrate into
the post-exposure baking units, and a second transfer mechanism
configured to transfer the substrate to and from the light exposure
apparatus. An interface section includes a relay position configured to
place thereon the substrate transferred by the second transfer mechanism,
and to allow the first transfer mechanism to receive the substrate
therefrom. A control section is arranged to set the substrate on standby
at the relay position and the waiting position, to make a time period
constant among substrates from an end of the light exposure process to a
start of a post-exposure baking process.