Hawaii hospitals can use CMS-approved accreditation for state inspections

Department rules must allow hospitals to use accreditation or certification from an organization approved by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to show they meet state inspection requirements. This applies to hospitals using accreditation or certification to show compliance with all state licensing inspection requirements. This law took effect when the governor approved it on July 9, 2026.

Department rules may exempt a hospital from state licensing inspections during its accreditation or certification term. This applies to hospitals seeking an ongoing exemption from state licensing inspections. The hospital must give the department a certified copy of its official accreditation or certification report. It must keep full accreditation or certification, provide a certified report, and hold a current, valid state license. An exemption may last only during the accreditation or certification term.

The department may inspect or investigate hospitals that are exempt from licensing inspections over complaints, adverse accreditation or certification findings, or periodic validation surveys. This applies to hospitals exempt from licensing inspections.

Reports of surveys and official accreditation or certification letters used to determine compliance with licensing requirements are public information. This covers reports and letters from organizations approved by CMS when they are used to determine compliance with licensing requirements.