What does OSHPD stand for?

OSHPD stood for the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, a California state department that regulated the design, construction, and seismic safety of hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. In July 2021 it was renamed HCAI — the Department of Health Care Access and Information.

Is OSHPD still called OSHPD?

No. OSHPD was renamed HCAI (Department of Health Care Access and Information) in July 2021. The agency, programs, and requirements are the same — only the name changed. Most engineers and contractors still use 'OSHPD' interchangeably with HCAI.

OSHPD (now HCAI) reviews and approves the structural, mechanical, electrical, and seismic design of California hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. It administers the OSP (Special Seismic Pre-approval), OPM (Pre-approval of Manufacturer), and project-specific plan-check process under the California Building Code.

What's the difference between OSHPD and HCAI?

There is no functional difference. OSHPD is the legacy name (used 1978–2021); HCAI is the current name (July 2021–present). The OSP and OPM programs, the PIN bulletins, the plan-check process, and the seismic requirements are all the same.

Does OSHPD only apply in California?

Yes. OSHPD/HCAI is a California state agency. It only regulates hospitals and skilled nursing facilities within California. Other states use IBC §1705.13 / ASCE 7-22 §13.2.2 for nonstructural seismic certification, but there is no equivalent OSP listing program.

What Does OSHPD Mean?

OSHPD stood for the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development — the California state agency that regulated the design, construction, and seismic safety of every hospital and skilled nursing facility in the state. In July 2021 it was renamed HCAI (Department of Health Care Access and Information). The acronym OSHPD is still used informally across the industry, but the agency, its programs, and its requirements are unchanged.

OSHPD vs HCAI — what changed?

Nothing functional. The renaming was an administrative reorganization. Everything an engineer, contractor, or equipment manufacturer needs to know is identical:

Same seismic certification programs — OSP and OPM
Same PIN bulletins (PIN 55, PIN 62, PIN 68, etc.)
Same plan-check and inspection process
Same California Building Code requirements (2025 CBC / ASCE 7-22)

What does OSHPD/HCAI actually do?

HCAI's Facilities Development Division reviews and approves all new construction, additions, and major equipment installations in California hospitals. For seismic engineers, this means three certification pathways:

OSP — Special Seismic Pre-approval — a pre-issued certification for a specific piece of equipment, valid across all CA hospital projects. Requires AC156 shake-table testing.
OPM — Pre-approval of Manufacturer — listing of a manufacturer's components for project use.
PCS — Preapproved Prefabricated Components & Systems — pre-approval for modular assemblies (bathroom pods, moment frames, composite strengthening). Browse the free PCS database.
Project-specific seismic certification — done on a per-project basis under IBC §1705.13 / ASCE 7-22 §13.2.2 when no OSP exists.

Quick history

1978 — OSHPD created after the 1971 San Fernando earthquake.
2003 — OSP / OPM seismic pre-approval programs formalized.
July 2021 — OSHPD renamed HCAI.
2025 — 2025 CBC + PIN 55 revision in effect.

Does OSHPD apply outside California?

No. HCAI/OSHPD is California-only. Outside California, nonstructural seismic certification is governed by IBC §1705.13 and ASCE 7-22 §13.2.2. Many states accept an HCAI OSP as evidence of compliance, but there is no equivalent listing program.

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Frequently asked questions

What does OSHPD stand for?: OSHPD stood for the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, a California state department that regulated the design, construction, and seismic safety of hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. In July 2021 it was renamed HCAI — the Department of Health Care Access and Information.
Is OSHPD still called OSHPD?: No. OSHPD was renamed HCAI (Department of Health Care Access and Information) in July 2021. The agency, programs, and requirements are the same — only the name changed. Most engineers and contractors still use 'OSHPD' interchangeably with HCAI.
What does OSHPD do?: OSHPD (now HCAI) reviews and approves the structural, mechanical, electrical, and seismic design of California hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. It administers the OSP (Special Seismic Pre-approval), OPM (Pre-approval of Manufacturer), and project-specific plan-check process under the California Building Code.
What's the difference between OSHPD and HCAI?: There is no functional difference. OSHPD is the legacy name (used 1978–2021); HCAI is the current name (July 2021–present). The OSP and OPM programs, the PIN bulletins, the plan-check process, and the seismic requirements are all the same.
Does OSHPD only apply in California?: Yes. OSHPD/HCAI is a California state agency. It only regulates hospitals and skilled nursing facilities within California. Other states use IBC §1705.13 / ASCE 7-22 §13.2.2 for nonstructural seismic certification, but there is no equivalent OSP listing program.