HCAI Seismic Certification — OSP, OPM & Project Anchorage
Full HCAI seismic certification services — formerly OSHPD seismic certification before the 2021 agency rename. We handle OSP pre-approval, OPM listings, and project-specific anchorage letters for California hospitals under the 2025 CBC and ASCE 7-22.
What is HCAI seismic certification?
HCAI seismic certification (formerly OSHPD) is California's required proof that nonstructural equipment installed in a hospital or skilled nursing facility will remain anchored and operational after a design earthquake. Panache Engineering delivers OSP and OPM preapprovals plus project-specific PE/SE stamped anchorage packages.
- Paths: OSP preapproval, OPM listing, PCS, or project-specific certification
- Governing codes: 2025 CBC, ASCE 7-22 Chapter 13, ACI 318-19 Chapter 17
- Typical stamped package turnaround: 1-3 weeks; written quote in 48 hours
- Ip = 1.5 components generally require shake-table (AC156) or analysis-based certification
Source: PANACHE ENGINEERING INC, Arcadia, CA · (626) 698-0784 · support@panacheg.com
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OSHPD & HCAI: same agency, two names
On July 1, 2021, the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) was reorganized into the new Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), and OSHPD continues as the office within HCAI that regulates healthcare facility design and construction. The preapproval programs — OSP, OPM, PCS — and project submittals continue to be administered under HCAI, with program requirements set by the code edition and HCAI guidance in effect at the time of application. OSHPD seismic certification and HCAI seismic certification refer to the same body of work. Existing listings remain valid through their stated expiration; new submittals use the HCAI name.
See our dedicated HCAI OSP certification page for the OSP-specific program, or browse our active OSP / OPM database of prior approvals. For prefabricated structural assemblies (bathroom pods, moment frames, composite strengthening), see the HCAI PCS preapproval program and our free PCS database.
HCAI seismic certification programs
HCAI runs several seismic certification pathways depending on the equipment and project. We deliver all of them under one PE/SE roof.
HCAI OSP Preapproval
OSHPD Special Seismic Certification Preapproval — voluntary preapproval addressing Special Seismic Certification of nonstructural components.
Learn more about HCAI OSP PreapprovalHCAI OPM Listing
OSHPD Preapproval of Manufacturer's Certification — preapproved seismic design of supports and attachments (not a product certification).
Learn more about HCAI OPM ListingHCAI PCS Preapproval
Preapproved Prefabricated Components and Systems — modular pods, moment frames, and structural assemblies for CA hospitals.
Learn more about HCAI PCS PreapprovalHCAI PCS Database
Search preapproved prefabricated components and systems (PPCS) by manufacturer and status — free tool.
Learn more about HCAI PCS DatabaseOSP vs OPM — Which One?
Plain-English comparison of the two HCAI pre-approval programs with a 30-second decision rule.
Learn more about OSP vs OPM — Which One?HCAI Certification Cost (2026)
Real price ranges for OSP, OPM, AC156 testing, and project-specific anchorage calculations and documentation.
Learn more about HCAI Certification Cost (2026)HCAI Certification Timeline
Week-by-week schedule from kickoff to OSP / OPM number issued.
Learn more about HCAI Certification TimelineProject Anchorage Letters
Project-specific PE/SE stamped seismic anchorage letters for HCAI plan-check.
Learn more about Project Anchorage LettersAC156 Shake Table Testing
Witness testing and PE/SE certificate of compliance for active equipment.
Learn more about AC156 Shake Table TestingIBC Seismic Certification
Special seismic certification for projects outside California — the governing ASCE 7 section and IBC Chapter 17 requirements depend on the adopted code edition.
Learn more about IBC Seismic CertificationEquipment Anchorage Design
Stamped anchorage design for HCAI hospital equipment under ASCE 7-22.
Learn more about Equipment Anchorage DesignOSHPD Chiller Seismic Certification
OSP, OPM, and AC156 paths for air-cooled and water-cooled hospital chillers.
Learn more about OSHPD Chiller Seismic CertificationOSHPD Generator Seismic Certification
Iₚ = 1.5 emergency genset OSP, AC156 testing, and isolator/snubber design.
Learn more about OSHPD Generator Seismic CertificationWhy HCAI seismic certification matters
- California hospitals must remain operational during and after a design earthquake
- Pre-approved equipment eliminates deferred-approval delays on hospital projects
- Saves OEMs hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost project schedule
- Required by the 2025 CBC, ASCE 7-22 Ch.13, and HCAI PIN bulletins
Start your HCAI certification today
One PE/SE team, one project manager, full HCAI submittal handled end-to-end.
HCAI seismic certification FAQ
- Is HCAI the same as OSHPD?
- HCAI is the California Department of Health Care Access and Information. The Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development (OSHPD) is within HCAI, and legacy OSHPD terminology remains in program names such as OSP and OPM. The programs carried over, but requirements continue to evolve with HCAI policy bulletins and California code cycles, so always check the current guidance for your project's code cycle.
- What is the difference between OSP, OPM and PCS?
- OSP — OSHPD Special Seismic Certification Preapproval — is HCAI's voluntary preapproval addressing Special Seismic Certification of a nonstructural component. OPM — OSHPD Preapproval of Manufacturer's Certification — addresses the preapproved seismic design of supports and attachments; an OPM is not a product certification and is not a substitute for Special Seismic Certification. An OPM covers the supports and attachments themselves, not the adequacy of the receiving structure, which remains project-specific design. PCS — OSHPD Preapproved Prefabricated Components and Systems — is HCAI's voluntary multidisciplinary preapproval program for prefabricated components and systems used in healthcare construction.
- How long does HCAI seismic certification take?
- Typical OSP projects run about 3 to 6 months including shake table testing or analysis, documentation, and HCAI review cycles. Timelines depend on test lab availability and back-check rounds.
- Which equipment needs HCAI seismic certification?
- Nonstructural components with importance factor Ip = 1.5 in California hospital buildings — life-safety, hazardous-content, and operationally critical equipment under ASCE 7-22 Chapter 13 and the 2025 CBC.
- Can I use an existing OSP number for my project?
- Yes, if the installed configuration matches the approved OSP scope — same model, mounting, support, and anchor type. Any deviation invalidates the preapproval and requires project-specific calculations.
Program policy changes often arrive as Policy Intent Notices — see our HCAI PIN bulletins hub (PIN 55, 62, 68) and the seismic calculation services overview to scope the calculations a submittal needs.
HCAI certification deep dives
Program bulletins, preapproval paths, and exemption rules explained by our HCAI team.
HCAI PCS Preapproval Explained: PCS vs OSP vs OPM
PCS, OSP, and OPM are three different HCAI preapproval programs and picking the wrong one costs weeks. Here's exactly what a OSHPD Preapproved Prefabricated Components and Systems covers and when to use it.
Read articleHCAI PIN 68 Explained: Seismic Anchorage & Restraint for Fixed, Movable, Mobile, Countertop, Other, Interim & Temporary Equipment in California Hospitals
The complete engineer's guide to HCAI/OSHPD PIN 68 — equipment classifications, the 400 lb / 4 ft / patient care vicinity / egress triggers, the equipment schedule template, and what must be shown on construction documents.
Read articleCalifornia Healthcare Seismic Anchorage Exemptions (HCAI/CBC): The Complete Checklist of What's Exempt vs What Requires Anchorage
What is — and isn't — exempt from seismic anchorage in California hospitals. Side-by-side checklists of ASCE 7-22 §13.1.4 exemptions, the CBC §1617A.1.18 California amendments, and HCAI PIN 68 triggers (400 lb / 4 ft / patient care vicinity / egress).
Read articleCan You Swap Vibration Isolators on Equipment with IBC Seismic Certification?
Swapping vibration isolators does not automatically void IBC seismic certification, but approval requires proof of equivalent stiffness, tested capacity, and matching installation locations.
Read articleRelated guides in this topic hub
Continue through the connected code, certification, and design references.