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 21-2007 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
GL 19-1001-A Expired Medical Error Reporting Requirements (HB 1614-78R) [Amended]
Applies to: ASC, Hospital, Psych Hospital & CSU, Special Hospital
GL 20-2003 Provision of Informational Materials and Certain Other Information to a Pregnant Woman Before an Abortion (SB 24-86R)
Applies to: Abortion Facilities, ASC, Hospital
GL 20-1014 Certificate of Public Advantage (HB 3301-86R)
Applies to: Hospital, Special Hospital
GL 20-2005 Sexual Assault Examinations and Reimbursement (HB 616-86R)
Applies to: Hospital, Special Hospital
GL 20-2004-A Telemedicine in Rural Trauma Facilities (HB 871-86R) [Amended]
Applies to: Hospital
GL 20-2014 Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Records & Evidence (HB 8-86R)
Applies to: FEMC, Hospital, Special Hospital
GL 20-2001 Controlled Substances Disposal (HB 2088-86R)
Applies to: ASC, FEMC, Hospital, Special Hospital