1. (a) A license expires three years after the date it is issued, except as provided in subsections (b)(1) and (c)(1) of this section. HHSC does not automatically renew a license. For a license to remain in effect after its expiration date, a license holder must apply to renew the license in accordance with this section.

2. (b) If HHSC renews a license that expires after December 31, 2018, and before January 1, 2020, HHSC:

   1. (1) issues a license that is valid for two years, if the license is for a facility with a facility identification number that ends in 0-3 or 7-9; and
   2. (2) issues a license that is valid for three years, if the license is for a facility with a facility identification number that ends in 4-6.

3. (c) If HHSC renews a license that expires after December 31, 2019, and before January 1, 2021, HHSC:

   1. (1) issues a license that is valid for two years, if the license is for a facility with a facility identification number that ends in 4-6; and
   2. (2) issues a license that is valid for three years, if the license is for a facility with a facility identification number that ends in 0-3 or 7-9.

4. (d) To renew a license, a license holder must submit to HHSC a timely and sufficient application to renew the license. A license holder has submitted a timely and sufficient application to renew a license if:

   1. (1) the license holder submits the following to HHSC so HHSC receives it no later than the 45th day before the license expires:

      1. (A) the fee required by §90.19(a)(1) of this subchapter; and

      2. (B) one of the following:

         1. (i) a complete application; or
         2. (ii) an incomplete application with a letter explaining the circumstances that prevent the license holder from including the missing information; or

   2. (2) the license holder submits the following to HHSC so HHSC receives it during the 45-day period ending on the date the license expires:

      1. (A) the fee and documentation described in paragraph (1)(A) and (B) of this subsection; and
      2. (B) the late renewal fee described in §90.19(a)(4) of this subchapter (relating to License Fees).

5. (e) If HHSC receives an application that is postmarked before the submission deadline, the application is timely if:

   1. (1) HHSC's Long-term Care Regulatory Licensing and Credentialing Section receives the application within 15 days after the postmark; or
   2. (2) HHSC's Long-term Care Regulatory Licensing and Credentialing Section receives the application within 30 days after the postmark and the license holder proves to HHSC that the delay was the fault of the United States Postal Service.
6. (f) It is the responsibility of a license holder to ensure that its application is timely received by HHSC.

Source Note:The provisions of this §551.15 adopted to be effective October 29, 2018, 43 TexReg 7196; transferred effective May 1, 2019, as published in the Texas Register April 12, 2019, 44 TexReg 1883.