Health Care Facilities Licensing

NOTICE OF DELIVERY SERVICE DELAYS

DC Health is experiencing delays in mail availability due to the impact of COVID-19 on the US postal service.

We appreciate your patience as we continue to process all mail in as timely a manner as possible.

COMING SOON ... Digital Licensing Portal

We are happy to announce that the Office of Healthcare Facilities’ digital licensing portal is only a few weeks away. As we transition to our digital application process, our new portal will provide a paper-free, automated and user-oriented experience for all involved. Please note that the process for initial applications will be fully digitized by February 13, 2023. Beginning on that date, all applicants seeking initial licensure should utilize this portal.

Any initial paper-based applications received after February 13, 2023, will be returned to the applicant, along with any attached payment. The link to the portal, as well as detailed navigation instructions, will be provided through this website on February 13, 2023.

As for renewal applications and requests for license modifications (changes), the process from paper to digital will take place in mid-March. Current licensees will be notified of this via email.

Please address any questions about this new implementation to [email protected] or [email protected].

***COVID 19 UPDATES***

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.

Walk In Services

UPDATED: The Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA) Processing Center will be open to the public by appointment only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays starting on May 20, 2021, from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm. The online appointment scheduler is http://appts.dcvsims.com

Professional Board meetings are currently held virtually. Please check each board's respective website for information on when the next meeting will take place.If you are already in contact with a Health Licensing Specialist (HLS), please forward any documents to said HLS via email.

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 more information, due to COVID-19, please contact the Health Regulation and Licensing Administration via our Call Center at 1 (877) 672-2174.

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