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 21-2009 Prices and Fees Charged by Certain Freestanding Emergency Medical Care Facilities (SB 2038-87R) [Amended]
Applies to: FEMC, Hospital, Special Hospital

Note: Original issued date 2/3/2022.

GL 21-2004-A In-Person Religious Counselor Visitation During a Public Health Emergency (SB 572-87R)
Applies to: Hospital, SCF, Special Hospital

Note: Revised September 30, 2022. Originally issued September 15, 2021.

GL 21-2003-A In-Person Hospital Visitation During Certain Periods of Disaster (HB 2211-87R)
Applies to: Hospital, Special Hospital

Note: Revised September 30, 2022. Originally issued September 15, 2021.

GL 22-0002 Amended Requirements for Emergency Services and Care Provided to Sexual Assault Survivors (HB 2706-87R)
Applies to: FEMC, Hospital, Special Hospital, Health Care Facilities Regulation
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: Abortion Facilities, ASC, Birthing Centers, CDTF, ESRD, FEMC, Hospital, NTP, Psych Hospital & CSU, SCF, Special Hospital