How to Start a Nursing Home in Texas

Opening a nursing home is a great investment, considering how many baby boomers are nearing retirement. With the rise of individuals turning to retirement and nursing home care, it is important to know what types of regulations are needed to be licensed to operate a nursing home. Texas requires numerous steps to licensure, including numerous documents and even a computer-based course.

Things You'll Need

• Facility
• Fire code certificates
• Pre-licensing course completion certificate

Show More

Instructions

Facility

• 1

  Obtain a facility that is adequate for housing four or more individuals, who are not related to you, and the maintenance of their continuous personal care, food and shelter. This will be your primary nursing home facility, subject to inspection from the Texas attorney general's office.

• 2

  Update the facility to meet with local fire building codes and have it approved by the fire department. You will want to make sure there are no potential hazards in your facility.

• 3

  Contact your local department of aging and disability services (DADS) to have it inspect the facility. DADS will not only perform a visual inspection, but the agency will also want to observe a resident under your care.

• 4

  Submit a copy of your floor plan and an evacuation plan for the facility to DADS.

Application Process

• 5

  Request an application from DADS to become a nursing home provider. Applications are available online or by requesting an application via mail.

  Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services

  P.O. Box 149030

  Austin, TX 78714-9030

  dads.state.tx.us

• 6

  Include a written approval from the fire department, stating that your facility meets fire safety codes, to your application.

• 7

  Complete a pre-licensure training class from DADS. The training course is only available online and takes an estimated one to two hours to complete. The course aims to prepare individuals for licensure before applying.

  All applicants must complete the training, except for those licensed by the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 247, who are statutorily exempt.

• 8

  Print the certificate of completion for the pre-licensure training course and sign. Attach this certificate to your license application.

• 9

  Notarize your signature on the application and submit all of the documents to DADS. Be sure to include the license fee. Any missing document will cause a delay in the issuance of the license. Incomplete applications are closed after 120 days.

• 10

  Wait for a response from the DADS office. Licenses are typically issued within 30 of submission. If no response is given after 30 days, request a reimbursement of your fee.

• 11

  Submit a written request to withdraw your application, should you decide not to open your nursing home facility after all. DADS, however, will not refund your licensing fee.

• 12

  Send a written notice to your local DADS office after being accepted to indicate your readiness for a Life Safety Code (LSC) inspection. This notice must be sent within 120 days after you have submitted your license application.