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The Texas Birthing Center Licensing Act was first enacted in 1985 by the 69th Legislature. A birthing center is an alternative means for a pregnant woman to deliver in a setting other than at home or in a hospital.
HHSC develops rules that establish minimum standards for Birthing Center licensing procedures; for granting, denying, suspending, and revoking a license; for licensing fees; for operation; and for clinical standards. Birthing Centers are not Medicare certified.
Find or Verify a Licensee
- View the Directory of Birthing Centers here: PDF / Excel
- Verify a facility license by searching the Online Licensing System
Licensing
The staff of the Facility Licensing Group is responsible for licensing Birthing Centers. Contact information for the zone offices is available by finding your zone and then locating the contact info for zone offices. The list also contains phone numbers, fax numbers and email addresses.
The following documents, fees, and actions shall be completed and approved before a license will be issued:
Initial Application
- A license application form (PDF) submitted no earlier than 90 calendar days prior to the projected opening date of the center.
- A license fee of $2,000.00 shall be submitted. License fees are not refundable.
- The applicant or the applicant's representative shall attend a pre-survey conference at the zone office designated by the department. Please contact the designated zone office to schedule the pre-survey conference.
Renewal Application
Change of Ownership Application
- A license application form (PDF) to be submitted at least 60 calendar days before the date of the change of ownership.
- A license fee of $2,000.00 shall be submitted. License fees are not refundable.
- The applicant or the applicant's representative shall attend a pre-survey conference at the zone office designated by the department. The designated zone office may waive the pre-survey conference requirement for a change of ownership. Please contact the designated zone office to schedule the pre-survey conference or to request a waiver.
- The applicant shall include evidence (bill of sale, lease agreement, or legal court document) of the change of ownership. This document can be submitted separately from the license application.
License Applications
Supporting Forms and Documents
Survey Components
During the initial licensing period, department zone office staff will conduct an on-site survey to ascertain compliance with the provisions of the Health and Safety Code and associated rules listed below. An entrance conference will be held with key facility personnel. Zone office staff will explain the survey process and answer questions. During the survey, zone office staff will:
- Review clinical records
- Review facility policies and procedures
- Review quality assurance activities
- Review personnel records
- Interview staff
- Conduct an exit conference with key facility personnel
- Discuss survey findings
Laws and Rules
Texas Laws
Rules & Regulations
Enforcement Actions
Birthing Centers Enforcement Actions, June 2018 – June 2019
Contact Information
The Facility Licensing Group is dedicated to assist you through this process and is available to answer your questions. If you have any questions, please contact the Facility Licensing Group.
Phone: 512-834-6648
Fax: 512-834-4514
Email: infohflc@hhsc.state.tx.us
Mailing Address for Applications with Fees:
Facility Licensing Group
Texas Health and Human Services
P.O. Box 149347 (MC 2835)
Austin, TX 78714-9347
Enforcement Unit
Toll Free: 888-973-0022
Phone: 512-834-6634
Fax: 512-834-6623
Email: enforcement@hhsc.state.tx.us
Mailing Address:
Texas Health and Human Services
Regulatory Services Division, Enforcement Unit
P.O. Box 149347
Austin, TX 78714-9347