12VAC5-371-40. Licensing process.
A. Upon request, the OLC will provide consultation to any person seeking information about obtaining a license. The purpose of such consultation is to:
1. Explain the standards and the licensing process;
2. Provide assistance in locating other sources of information;
3. Review the potential applicant's proposed program plans, forms, and other documents, as they relate to standards; and
4. Alert the potential applicant regarding the need to meet other state and local ordinances, such as fire and building codes and environmental health standards, where applicable.
B. Licensees and applicants shall obtain licensure applications from the OLC.
C. The OLC shall consider the application complete when all requested information and the application fee is submitted with the form required. If the OLC finds the application incomplete, the applicant will be notified of receipt of the incomplete application.
D. The applicant shall complete and submit the initial application to the OLC at least 30 days prior to a planned opening date to allow the OLC time to act on the application. An application for a license may be withdrawn at any time.
E. A nursing facility may not be licensed without first complying with the requirements for a Certificate of Public Need as required by Article 1.1. (§ 32.1-102.1 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 32.1 of the Code of Virginia.
1. Application for initial license of a nursing facility shall include a statement of any agreement made with the commissioner as a condition for Certificate of Public Need approval to provide a level of care at a reduced rate to indigents or accept patients requiring specialized care.
2. Any initial license issued to any nursing facility that made such agreement as a condition of its Certificate of Public Need approval shall not be renewed without demonstrating prior to or at the time of applying for renewal that it is substantially complying with its agreement.
F. The renewal of a nursing facility license shall be conditioned upon the up-to-date payment of any civil penalties owed as a result of willful refusal, failure, or neglect to honor certain conditions established in their award of a Certificate of Public Need pursuant to § 32.1-102.4 B of the Code of Virginia.
G. Nursing facilities shall be exempt, for a period of no more than 30 days, from the requirement to obtain a license to add temporary beds when the commissioner has determined that a natural or man-made disaster has caused the evacuation of a hospital or nursing home and that a public health emergency exists due to a shortage of hospital or nursing home beds.
H. The licensee shall submit the completed renewal application form along with any required attachments and the application fee by the date indicated in the cover letter.
I. It is the licensee's responsibility to complete and return the application to assure timely processing. Should a current license expire before a new license is issued, the current license shall remain in effect provided the complete and accurate application was filed on time.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-127 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1997; amended, Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 10, eff. February 28, 2002; Volume 23, Issue 10, eff. March 1, 2007; Volume 35, Issue 24, eff. August 23, 2019; Volume 37, Issue 17, eff. May 27, 2021.