PROCESSING CENTER Hours:
The Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA) Processing Center is open to the public Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9 am – 1 pm, and Wednesday, 9 am - 3:30 pm (except holidays).

COVID-19 Guidances and Best Practices:
For the most up to date information on the District's response to COVID-19, including information on best practices, licensure waivers, and recommended guidelines, go to coronavirus.dc.gov.
Individuals may also call the Processing Center at 1 (877) 672-2174 to get an update on their pending application. 

The DC Department of Health has a number of programs to ensure a coordinated system of health care for DC residents. Below please find links to health care facilites and DOH programs that establish and maintain health care facilities in DC.

• Find a Health Facility
• DC Federally Qualified Health Centers [PDF]
• Primary Care Health Centers [PDF]
• List of Hospitals 
• STD Clinic
• TB Clinic

Health Facilities Licensing and Regulation

• Provider Alerts
• Certificate of Need
• Enforcement Actions
• File a Complaint
• Health Care Facility Directories
• Health Care Facility Licensing
• Heath Care Facility Inspection Reports
• Health Care Facility Regulations
• Pharmaceutical Control
• Radiation Protection

Provider Recruitment and Retention

• DC Health Professional Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP)
• DC 30/J1 Waiver Program
• National Health Services Corps

Long-Term Care Study

In 2018, the Council of the District of Columbia passed the Study of Long-Term Care Facilities and Long-Term Care Services Act of 2018. This Act directed DC Health to collaborate with other District agencies and community partners to assess the availability of affordable long-term care facilities and long-term care services in the District. This report would also discuss any changes in future needs for those services and supports for District residents. In accordance with this law, the Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA), the administration responsible for regulatory oversight of healthcare facilities and professionals under DC Health, published the following report: Long-Term Care Study 2021.

Model Discharge Plan

This Model Resident Transfer and Discharge Plan explains how nursing homes, community residence facilities, and assisted living residences should safely move or discharge a resident. Its goal is to protect each resident's health, safety, and rights during any transfer or discharge.

This plan gives facilities a simple guide to follow so they understand what they must do when a resident is moved, discharged, or relocated, whether the move is voluntary or not. Each facility must still make sure every transfer, or discharge plan is centered on the resident and meets their individual needs. 

• Model Discharge Plan

Programs that Provide Capital and Operational Support to Health Facilities

• School-Based Health Centers 

The District of Columbia Department of Health licenses and certifies health care facilities for compliance with state and federal health and safety standards. Facilities include nursing homes, hospitals, home health agencies, dialysis centers, ambulatory surgical centers, intermediate care facilities for persons with intellectual disabilities, and laboratories. The Health Care Facilities Division and Intermediate Care Facilities Division conduct regular on-site surveys to ensure health, safety, sanitation, fire, and quality of care requirements. HCFD identifies deficiencies that may affect state licensure or eligibility for federal reimbursements under the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

For further information on nursing homes, visit the Medicare website and search by keyword "Nursing Homes."

• Intermediate Care Facilities Division (Group Homes, Community Residence Facilities, Assisted Living Residencies, Child Placing Agencies, Home Care Agencies)
• Ambulatory Surgical Centers
• Ambulatory Care Centers (ACC) and former Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) Clinics
• Hospitals
• Laboratories
• Maternity Centers
• Nursing Homes
• Nurse Staffing Agencies
• Enforcement Actions
• File a Complaint
• Health Care Facility Directories