District of Columbia Code
Chapter 4 - Health Services Planning
§ 44–411. Duration, modification, sale, or transfer of a certificate of need

*NOTE: This section includes amendments by temporary legislation that will expire on May 4, 2023. To view the text of this section after the expiration of all emergency and temporary legislation, click this link: Permanent Version.*
(a) A certificate of need shall be effective for the period that the applicant states is necessary to complete the project for which the certificate of need is granted; except that no certificate of need shall be effective for more than 3 years from the original date of issuance. If the applicant is making good faith efforts to meet the schedule, the SHPDA shall extend the certificate of need for an additional period or periods as necessary for the applicant to complete the project. The SHPDA shall adopt rules to define the schedule of performance, including reporting, criteria for evaluating compliance or noncompliance with the schedule, and criteria for determining and reviewing major modifications after a certificate of need has been issued. Any review of major modifications shall be limited to the modifications and shall not affect the underlying certificate of need granted by the SHPDA.
(b) A certificate of need obtained prior to April 9, 1997 shall continue to be valid for the period specified in granting the certificate of need and may be renewed in accordance with subsection (a) of this section.
(c) A current certificate of need may not be sold or transferred. The transfer of effective control over a project for which a current certificate of need has been granted shall cause the certificate of need to be subject to review and approval by the SHPDA. For the purposes of this subsection, the term “effective control” means the ability of any person, by reason of a direct or indirect ownership interest, whether of record or beneficial, in a corporation, partnership, or other entity which holds a certificate of need, to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of that corporation, partnership or other entity, and the term “current certificate of need” means a certificate of need granted or deemed to have been granted by the SHPDA.
(d) Any transfer, assignment, or other disposition of 10% of the stock or voting rights thereunder of a corporation or other entity which is the operator of a HCF, or any transfer, assignment, or other disposition of the stock or voting rights thereunder of the corporation which results in the ownership or control of more than 10% of the stock or voting rights thereunder of the corporation, by any person, when that corporation or entity holds a current certificate of need, shall cause the certificate of need to be subject to review and approval by the SHPDA.
(e) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, a certificate of need that expired after March 15, 2022, shall remain effective and valid until 120 days after the end of the Mayor's declaration of a public emergency pursuant to § 7-2304; provided that:
(1) The healthcare provider is currently providing services to at least 5 patients under the certificate of need; and
(2) The healthcare provider applies for an initial license to operate within 30 days of the effective date of this subsection.
(f) The Department shall have 120 days to approve or deny an application for initial licensure made under subsection (e)(2) of this section.
(Apr. 9, 1997, D.C. Law 11-191, § 12, 43 DCR 4535; Sept. 21, 2022, D.C. Law 24-188, § 2, 69 DCR 009944.)
1981 Ed., § 32-361.
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2 of Continuing Care for Healthcare Providers Emergency Amendment Act of 2022 (D.C. Act 24-510, July 25, 2022, 69 DCR 009375).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 2 of Good Faith Waiver of Certificates of Need for Health Care Providers Emergency Amendment Act of 2021 (D.C. Act 24-116, July 21, 2021, 68 DCR 007319).
For temporary (225 days) amendment of this section, see § 2 of Continuing Care for Healthcare Providers Temporary Amendment Act of 2022 (D.C. Law 24-188, Sept. 21, 2022, 69 DCR 009944).
For temporary (225 days) amendment of this section, see § 2 of Good Faith Waiver of Certificates of Need for Health Care Providers Temporary Amendment Act of 2021 (D.C. Law 24-30, Sept. 22, 2021, 68 DCR 007979).