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 20-2018-A Rights and Treatment of Adult Sexual Assault Survivors Under Guardianship (HB 4531-86R) [Amended]
Applies to: FEMC, Hospital, Special Hospital

Note: Original issued date July 6, 2020

GL 22-3003 Co-location of Chemical Dependency Treatment Facilities or Narcotic Treatment Programs with Other Programs and Services
Applies to: CDTF, NTP
GL 22-3004 Preparing for Emergencies or Disasters
Applies to: NTP, Health Care Facilities Regulation
GL 21-3004-A Outpatient Chemical Dependency Treatment Service Provision Through Electronic Means (HB 4-87R) [Amended]
Applies to: CDTF
GL 19-1000-A Chemical Dependency Treatment Facility Outpatient Satellite Site Exemption (HB 4298-86R)
Applies to: CDTF
GL 22-0001 Implementation of House Bill (HB) 525, 87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021
Applies to: Health Care Facilities Regulation, Abortion Facilities, ASC, Birthing Centers, CDTF, ESRD, FEMC, Hospital, NTP, Psych Hospital & CSU, SCF, Special Hospital
GL 20-0002-A Regulatory Compliance During the COVID-19 Disaster [Amended]
Applies to: Abortion Facilities, ASC, Birthing Centers, CDTF, CLIA, CMHC, CORF, ESRD, FEMC, Hospital, NTP, Port-X, Psych Hospital & CSU, RHC, SCF, Special Hospital, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors
GL 21-2007 Information for Reporting Suspicious Activity Required on Human Trafficking Signs (HB 3721-87R)
Applies to: Abortion Facilities, ASC, Hospital, Special Hospital
GL 21-0001 Organ Transplant Recipient Discrimination Based on an Individual’s Disability Prohibited (HB 119-87R)
Applies to: Abortion Facilities, ASC, Birthing Centers, CDTF, ESRD, Hospital, NTP, Psych Hospital & CSU, SCF, Special Hospital, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors
GL 19-2004-A 86th Regular Session, Senate Bill (SB) 1264 Guidance Letter [Amended]
Applies to: Abortion Facilities, ASC, Birthing Centers, CDTF, ESRD, FEMC, Hospital, NTP, Psych Hospital & CSU