Licensing and Certification
Hospital

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has transitioned all credentialing activities to a new eLicensing system that makes it easier for providers to submit applications, manage, update, renew, and print their license information.

We are excited to announce that the license to operate a hospital application process is now available in the new system. More information is available on the Minnesota Department of Health Licensing System Help Page.

I’m licensed to operate a hospital – what do I need to do?

For current licensed hospital operators, MDH has transferred existing licensed information to the new electronic system. License holders will receive an email at the hospital’s current email address on file for from MDH@public.govdelivery.com with instructions for creating their login.

Hospitals are encouraged to set up their login as soon as possible to receive renewal reminders when their license is due. After creating an account, the online system will send renewal notices at least 90, 60, and 30 days prior to the expiration date, as well as on the day of expiration. If your correspondence from MDH is sent to a shared email inbox, please check the spam folder or contact the staff person who monitors the shared inbox for instructions. We encourage the administrator or the person in charge of completing the renewal application to create the account and login information.

The Minnesota Department of Health sponsored a statewide call related to infection control topics for nursing homes and hospitals on Aug. 13. All nursing home and hospital infection control practitioners were encouraged to attend. 

This webinar provided an overview of health regulations related to infection control for both nursing homes and hospitals and an update on healthcare associated infections in both nursing homes and hospitals. 

Topics 

• Regulations related to infection control for nursing homes.
• Regulations related to infection control for hospitals.
• Overview of novel and targeted MDROs.
• MDH’s containment response process.
• Questions and answers. 

 Presentation: Infection control updates for both nursing homes and hospitals (PDF)

As of August 1, 2022, providers holding a valid license from a health-related licensing board (HLB) who have also undergone a background check under Minn. Statutes 214.075, shall not have a background study completed by the commissioner of human services (a NETStudy 2.0 background study).

MDH has created a document to address questions from providers and organizations about these changes, which you can find here: Background Studies for HLB-Licensed Providers FAQ (PDF)

Application for a License to Operate a Hospital (PDF): Complete and submit this form with payment to renew an existing license.

The completed application and supporting documents can be mailed to:

Minnesota Department of Health
Health Regulation Division
P.O. Box 64900
St. Paul, MN 55164-0900

• Complete, upload document(s) and submit the hospital action plan on the Minnesota Department of Health Licensing System, Hospital Action Plan.
• More information can be found at the Minnesota Department of Health Licensing System Help Page.
• If you need assistance or have questions, please contact the Federal LCR team at Health.HRD-FEDLCR@state.mn.us. 

Federal Fiscal Year 25 Violence Against Health Care Workers Report (PDF)

The Minnesota Department of Health sponsored a statewide Minnesota hospital webinar on May 28.

The webinar provided hospital regulation guidelines and updates.

Topics

• Frequent IJ and conditions cited 
• Update on overdue backlog 
• QSO memos 
• Discharges to nursing homes

Presentation

• 2026-05-28 — Hospital regulatory updates (PDF)

2025-08-13 — HRD and IDEPC updates on infection control (PDF)

2024-08-07 — Hospital closure and change in services (PDF)

2024-06-20 — Violence against health care workers (PDF)

2024-05-15 — Hospital Complaints/Public Hearings/Violence Against Health Care Workers (PDF)

CMS resources

• Code of Federal Regulations: 42 CFR Part 482: Conditions of Participation for Hospitals
• Code of Federal Regulations: 42 CFR Part 485: Conditions of Participation: Specialized Providers
• CMS: Quality, Safety & Oversight - General Information
• Medicare State Operations Manual

Per Minnesota Statutes, section 295.50, providers who receive payments for providing health care services may be subject to the MinnesotaCare Provider Tax (Minnesota Department of Revenue).

• Minnesota Statutes, section 144.122 - License, Permit, and Survey Fees
• Minnesota Statutes, section 144.50 - Hospitals, Licenses, Definitions
• Minnesota Statutes, section 144.51 - License Applications
• Minnesota Statutes, section 144.52 - Application
• Minnesota Statutes, section 144.53 - Fees
• Minnesota Statutes, section 144.54 - Inspections
• Minnesota Statutes, section 144.55 - Licenses; Issuance; Suspension and Revocation
• Minnesota Statutes, section 144.551 - Hospital Constructions Moratorium
• Minnesota Statutes, section 144.555 - Facility or Campus Closing, Relocating Services, or Ceasing to Offer Certain Services; Patient Relocations
• Minnesota Statutes, section 144.56 - Standards
• Minnesota Statutes, section 144.561 - Description of Certain Medical Facilities
• Minnesota Statutes, section 144.562 - Swing Bed Approval; Issuance of License Conditions
• Minnesota Statutes, section 144.563 - Nursing Services Provided in a Hospital; Prohibited Practices
• Minnesota Statutes, section 144.564 - Monitoring of Subacute or Transitional Care Services
• Minnesota Statutes, section 144.572 - Institutions Excepted
• Minnesota Statutes, section 144.573 - Pets in Certain Institutions
• Minnesota Statutes, section 144.58 - Information, Confidential
• Minnesota Statutes, section 626.557 - Reporting of Maltreatment of Vulnerable Adults
• Minnesota Rules, chapter 4640 - Hospital Licensing and Operation
• Minnesota Rules, chapter 4645 - Hospital Construction and Equipment