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 24-0001 Updated Freestanding Emergency Medical Care Facility Rules
Applies to: FEMC
GL 23-0001-A Preparing for Hurricane Season
Applies to: Abortion Facilities, ASC, Birthing Centers, CDTF, CMHC, CORF, Psych Hospital & CSU, ESRD, FEMC, Hospital, Special Hospital, CLIA, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors, NTP, Port-X, RHC, SCF

Note: Revised 06-19-2024
GL 22-3004-A Preparing for Emergencies or Disasters
Applies to: NTP

Note: Revised 06-19-2024
GL 24-2000 Workplace Violence Prevention (SB 240-88R)
Applies to: ASC, FEMC, Hospital, Special Hospital, LSRH, Psych Hospital & CSU

Note: Revised May 30, 2024
GL 24-3002 Facility and Client Consent Requirements for Chemical Dependency Treatment Facilities Providing Outpatient Services by Electronic Means
Applies to: CDTF
GL 21-3004-A2 Outpatient Chemical Dependency Treatment Service Provision Through Electronic Means (HB 4-87R) [Amended]
Applies to: CDTF

Note: Replaces GL 21-3004A, revised 5/20/2024.
GL 24-3000 Dangers of Substance Misuse Educational Program (HB 5183-88R)
Applies to: CDTF
GL 24-2001 Prohibited Discharge of a Patient to Certain Group-Centered Facilities (SB 186-88R)
Applies to: Hospital, Special Hospital, Psych Hospital & CSU, LSRH
GL 23-1003-A Hospitals Participating in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Acute Hospital Care at Home Program (HB 1890-88R) [Amended]
Applies to: Hospital, Special Hospital

Note: Replaces GL 23-1003. Previously replaced by GL 23-1001-A.
GL 23-2005 New and Amended Survivors of Sexual Assault Response and Treatment Requirements (SB 1401-88R, SB 1402-88R)
Applies to: FEMC, Hospital, Special Hospital