Health Care Facilities Regulation

HHSC is required to regulate certain types of health care facilities to protect consumer and patient health and safety by ensuring compliance with state laws and rules. Regulatory activities include surveying facilities, reviewing complaints, investigating possible violations, evaluating evidence, reviewing plans of correction, and determining administrative penalties. Working collaboratively with stakeholders, HHSC establishes rules and standards for facilities’ general operations, patient services, and physical plants, as well as procedural rules regarding license applications and issuance, complaints, violations, and enforcement.

Texas law requires certain types of health care facilities to be licensed in order to provide services. The licensing procedure varies according to facility type and may include application review, fees, architectural and life safety code approval, and initial on-site surveys.

You can verify a facility license by searching the online licensing system.

Guidance Letters

Case-sensitive. Use commas to separate multiple entries.
Note: These files are in PDF format unless otherwise noted.
Number Title Date Published
GL 21-2008-A-3 Required Disclosure of Prices for Certain Items and Services (SB 1137-87R) [Amended]
Applies to: Health Care Facilities Regulation

Note: Replaces GL 21-2008-A-2 - Sept. 22, 2022
GL 23-2000 End Stage Renal Disease Facility Emergency Preparedness Planning and Contingency Operations Planning Requirements (SB 1876–87R)
Applies to: Health Care Facilities Regulation, ESRD
GL 23-1001 Emergency Rule for Hospitals Participating in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Acute Hospital Care at Home Program During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Applies to: Health Care Facilities Regulation, Hospital, Special Hospital

Note: Replaces GL 22-1004-A.
GL 23-1000 Emergency Rule for Limited Services Rural Hospitals
Applies to: Health Care Facilities Regulation, Hospital, Special Hospital
GL 21-2006-A Abortion Complication Reporting and Regulation of Drug-Induced Abortion Procedures, Providers, and Facilities (SB 4-87-2) [Amended]
Applies to: Abortion Facilities, ASC, Hospital, Special Hospital

Note: Replaces GL 21-2006 issued on November 12, 2021
GL 21-2001-A Updated Abortion Procedure Documentation and Abortion and Sonogram Election Form Requirements (SB 8-87R) [Amended]
Applies to: Abortion Facilities, ASC, Hospital

Note: GL 21-2001-A replaces GL 21-2001 issued September 14, 2021.
GL 21-2009 Prices and Fees Charged by Certain Freestanding Emergency Medical Care Facilities (SB 2038-87R) [Amended]
Applies to: FEMC, Hospital, Special Hospital

Note: Original issued date 2/3/2022.
GL 21-2004-A In-Person Religious Counselor Visitation During a Public Health Emergency (SB 572-87R)
Applies to: Hospital, SCF, Special Hospital

Note: Revised September 30, 2022. Originally issued September 15, 2021.
GL 21-2003-A In-Person Hospital Visitation During Certain Periods of Disaster (HB 2211-87R)
Applies to: Hospital, Special Hospital

Note: Revised September 30, 2022. Originally issued September 15, 2021.
GL 22-0002 Amended Requirements for Emergency Services and Care Provided to Sexual Assault Survivors (HB 2706-87R)
Applies to: FEMC, Hospital, Special Hospital, Health Care Facilities Regulation