Survey and Licensing

Health care facilities in California are licensed, regulated, inspected, and/or certified by a number of public and private agencies at the state and federal levels, including the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Licensing and Certification Program (L&C) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). These agencies have separate — yet sometimes overlapping — jurisdictions. L&C is responsible for ensuring health care facilities comply with state laws and regulations. In addition, L&C cooperates with CMS to ensure that facilities accepting Medicare and Medi-Cal (in California, Medicaid is referred to as Medi-Cal) payments meet federal requirements. L&C also oversees the certification of nurse assistants, home health aides, hemodialysis technicians, and the licensing of nursing home administrators.