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Community and Health Systems

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Community and Health Systems

About the Bureau of Community and Health Systems

The Bureau of Community and Health Systems (BCHS) performs regulatory duties as required by state and federal laws. The bureau programs are designed to protect the health, safety, and welfare of individuals receiving care and services through various covered licensed, permitted, and certified facilities, agencies, programs, and individuals. The bureau oversees adult foster care facilities, adult foster care and children camps, freestanding surgical outpatient facilities, homes for the aged, hospice agencies and residences, hospitals, nursing homes, substance used disorder programs as well as certified nurse aides, nurse aide trainers, nurse aide training programs, and qualified interpreters.

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ALERT

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is set to end the federal Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 on May 11, 2023.

At that time, the special privileges and exemptions extended to out-of-state licensees during the pandemic will be discontinued. Therefore, beginning on May 12, 2023, all health care providers and health facilities operating in Michigan must have the appropriate license(s) and permit(s) required under Michigan and federal law.

The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) is the principal department that oversees professional licensing, including health facilities and providers. The requirements for licensure vary by profession and provider type. Please see the details below for more information on how to apply:

For Individuals: LARA's Bureau of Professional Licensing (BPL) issues state licenses for health professionals.

  • Information needed to apply for a State of Michigan health professional license can be found by visiting michigan.gov/bpl, selecting “Health Licensing,” and then selecting your profession from the list provided. 
  • For questions about health professional licensure, please contact the BPL at BPLHelp@michigan.gov or 517-241-0199.

For Facilities: LARA's Bureau of Community and Health Systems (BCHS) issues state licenses for various health facilities, agencies, and programs.

  • Information needed to apply for a State of Michigan health facility license or permit can be found by visiting michigan.gov/bchs and selecting the provider type or area.
  • For questions about heath facility licensure, please contact the BCHS at BCHS-Help@michigan.gov or 517-335-1980. 

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