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As defined by Texas Health and Safety Code Section 244.002, a birthing center is a place, facility, or institution where a woman is scheduled to give birth following a normal, uncomplicated pregnancy. A birthing center does not include a hospital or the residence of the woman giving birth.
Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 244 establishes the state licensing requirements for birthing centers. Under state law, HHSC is responsible for the licensing and regulation of birthing centers in Texas, and the Regulatory Services Division within HHSC carries out these duties.
HHSC adopts rules for birthing centers including establishing standards for:
- Licensing procedures and fees
- License denial, probation, suspension, and revocation
- Qualifications for and supervision of professional and nonprofessional facility personnel
- Treatment and service provision and coordination
- Facility organizational structure requirements, including the lines of authority and the delegation of responsibility
- Clinical record keeping requirements
- Inspection, investigation, and enforcement procedures
Birthing centers are not certified to participate in the federal Medicare Program.
Release of Placenta from a Hospital or Birthing Center for Personal Use
Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 172 as added by House Bill 1670 (84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015) sets requirements for the release of placenta to a patient. Refer to the Texas Department of State Health Service's Consent to Release Placenta (PDF) document for the educational information and consent form required under this law.
Laws and Rules
Texas Laws
Rules
Find or Verify a License
- Verify a facility license by searching the Online Licensing System
- View the accessible version of the Directory of Birthing Centers (Excel)
Licensing
An applicant seeking a birthing facility license must submit a completed application, license fee, and other applicable documents to HHSC. The Health Facility Licensing Unit will not process an application until after HHSC Accounts Receivable receives and posts the license fee.
Refer to the application or instructions linked in this section for specific requirements.
HHSC must review and approve all required application materials received before issuing a license to an applicant.
Initial Licensure Application
Change of Ownership Application
Renewal Application
Complaint and Incident Submission Information
- Incidents Submission Portal for Health Care Regulation Providers
- File a Complaint for a Health Facility
Inspection Components
HHSC conducts health compliance on-site inspections to determine compliance with the provisions of the Health and Safety Code and associated rules listed in the Laws and Rules section of this page. During the inspection, HHSC staff generally perform the following activities:
- Conduct an entrance and an exit conference with applicable facility personnel
- Explain the inspection process and answer questions
- Review clinical records
- Review facility and personnel records
- Review facility policies and procedures
- Review quality assurance activities
- Interview staff
- Assess the facility’s compliance with applicable statutes and rules
- Discuss final inspection findings with applicable facility personnel
Enforcement Actions
Human Trafficking Resources
Contact Information
Health Care Regulation
For Health Care Regulation contact information, visit our Contact Us page.
Health Care Facility Enforcement
Phone: 512-438-5439
Fax: 512-438-3697
Email: Health.Facilities.Enforcement@hhsc.state.tx.us
Mailing Address:
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Regulatory Services Division
Health Care Facility Enforcement, MC 1866
P.O. Box 149347
Austin, TX 78714-9347
Open Records Requests
Texas Health and Human Services is committed to providing full access to public information. For information on how to submit an open records request, read the Open Records Policy and Procedures.