Out-of-State Occupational Licenses of Military Spouses
Texas Health and Human Services recognizes out-of-state occupational licenses for certain military spouses. Read More.
Child Care Licensing
Texas Health and Human Services permits and monitors all child-care operations and child-placing agencies for compliance with state licensing standards, rules and laws.
Employability Checks
HHS-regulated facilities and agencies must check an applicant's criminal history and the applicant's Nurse Aide Registry (NAR), Medication Aide Registry (MAR), and/or Employee Misconduct Registry (EMR) status via the Employability Status Check Search upon hiring and on an annual basis to determine if an individual is unemployable, as applicable.
With the implementation of FBI-based fingerprinting in 2021, Long-term Care Regulation (LTCR) also implemented Occupations Code (OC), Chapter 53, related to the consequences of a criminal conviction -- specifically the 2019 legislative update to OC §53.023 concerning additional factors for licensing authorities to consider after determining a conviction directly relates to the occupation. With this implementation, it is possible for an individual to receive a license, permit, or certification even if the individual is not employable in one or more types of long-term care settings under Health and Safety Code §250.006.
The purpose of criminal background checks is to ensure that HHS verifies and accurately interprets information for those participating in long-term care programs. Questions can be directed to 512-438-2585.
- Employee Misconduct Registry – The EMR contains the names of unlicensed personnel who have committed reportable conduct to include acts of abuse, neglect, exploitation, misappropriation or misconduct against residents and consumers to ensure they are denied employment in HHS-regulated facilities and by HHS-regulated agencies.
- Nurse Aide Registry – All nurse aides and nurse aide candidates are required to register in the Prometric system.
- Medication Aide Registry – All medication aides and medication aide candidates are entered into the Prometric system.
- Employability Status Check Search – This search returns results from the Nurse Aide Registry, Medication Aide Registry, and Employee Misconduct Registry. It is used when checking on the employability of nurse aides and medication aides.
- Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Record Service – This system administers programs that include those used in pre-employment searches on people who work with people who are elderly or who have disabilities.
Long-term Care Credentialing
- Nurse Aide Registry – All nurse aides and nurse aide candidates are required to register in the Prometric system. This includes registration through the Employability Status Check Search.
- Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program – HHS reviews and approves or disapproves nurse aide training and competency evaluation programs and nurse aide competency evaluation programs.
- Nursing Facility Administrator Licensing and Enforcement – HHS licenses nursing facility administrators and enforces professional standards. Licensing functions are completed through TULIP.
- Medication Aide Program – HHS conducts issues and renews permits as well as imposing and monitoring sanctions on medication aides.
Long-term Care Licensing
The following long-term care providers must be licensed to operate in Texas:
- Assisted Living Facilities
- Day Activity and Health Services Facilities
- Home and community support services agencies, which includes home health agencies and hospice
- Nursing facilities and skilled nursing facilities
- Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Centers
- Publicly and privately operated Home and Community-based Services waiver providers
- Publicly and privately operated intermediate care facilities (ICFs/IID), including ICFs/IID operating as state supported living centers
- Publicly and privately operated Texas Home Living (TxHmL) waiver providers
Medicaid
Medicaid Provider Enrollment – All providers that want to participate in state health-care programs must enroll in Texas Medicaid.