The California Department of Public Health, Licensing and Certification (L&C) Program, is notifying all home health agencies, that L&C's district offices (DO) will no longer review and approve initial and/or change of ownership (CHOW) application packages.

The function will be taken over by L&C's Centralized Applications Unit (CAU). CAU will review all initial and/or CHOW application packages. Once the application has been approved, the application will be forwarded to the appropriate DO for the licensing and certification initial survey. The DOs will continue to process other changes (i.e., name change, change of officers, and change of location). The DO will assist you on which forms to submit for these types of changes.

September 1, 2009 is the effective date that CAU will be responsible for processing initial and CHOW applications.

To download the forms, L&C's health facilities forms website address is:

http://www.cdph.ca.gov/pubsforms/forms/Pages/HealthFacilities.aspx

The website includes the fee required, a facility application request letter and instructional checklist to assist you in preparing your application package and the required forms.

If you have an application pending in the DO, those applications will continue to be processed by the DO. You should continue to communicate directly with the DO for these applications. Applications submitted after September 1, 2009 should be sent to: