The Habitability Certificate for Health-Care Establishments (Certificado de Habitabilidad) is the official document that Guatemala’s MSPAS issues — through DRACES — after physically inspecting a health-care facility to verify it meets the minimum requirements for infrastructure, equipment, drinking water, ventilation, waste handling and biosecurity defined in the Regulation of Health-Care Establishments. It is a key step before (or alongside) the Sanitary License.
Quick summary: In-person filing at MSPAS / DRACES with mandatory physical inspection. Variable cost per the official fee schedule. Time: 30-60 business days. Not available online. Applies to clinics, hospitals, sanatoria, clinical labs and other health-care facilities.
Data verified against the official Catalogo Unico de Tramites del Estado, tramites.gob.gt — Service 1755.
Habitability Certificate vs Sanitary License
| Aspect | Habitability Certificate | Sanitary License |
|---|---|---|
| What it validates | Physical infrastructure of the facility | Authorization for the establishment to operate |
| Requires physical inspection? | Yes, always | Yes, on openings |
| Validity | Until structural changes occur | 5 years |
| When applied for | Part of the Sanitary License file, or after remodels | Opening, renewal, transfer, modification, replacement |
| Issuing authority | DRACES (MSPAS) | DRACES (MSPAS) |
In most cases, the Habitability Certificate is processed as part of the Sanitary License file. However, MSPAS lists it as an independent service in the state procedure catalog (Service 1755).
Who Needs the Certificate
Every entity operating or planning to operate as a health-care establishment:
- Medical, dental, dermatology and physiotherapy clinics
- Private hospitals and sanatoria
- Clinical labs, imaging, ultrasound and X-ray centers
- Dialysis, oncology and radiotherapy centers
- Medical and dental offices
- Geriatric and palliative-care facilities
- Rehabilitation and physiotherapy centers
- Maternity homes, group homes with on-site medical services
Requirements
- Application letter to MSPAS / DRACES, signed by the legal representative
- Valid DPI of owner or legal representative
- Trade or company patent (if a juridical person)
- Establishment NIT (CUI-NIT lookup)
- Architectural plan of the facility, signed by a registered architect
- Descriptive memorandum of the establishment (areas, dimensions, patient flow)
- Drinking-water system certification (bacteriological analysis)
- Electrical system certification (plans / diagram)
- Hospital waste-management plan (bioinfectious, chemical, common)
- Contract with an authorized hospital-waste management company
- Biosecurity manual
- Inventory of medical equipment and furniture
- Staff biosecurity training certificates
- Official payment receipt (MSPAS schedule, Acuerdo Gubernativo 712-99)
- Additional documents per facility category
Steps
- Assemble the file. Architectural plan, descriptive memorandum, biosecurity manuals, waste contract, water and electrical certifications.
- Pay the fee at an authorized bank per the MSPAS schedule. Keep the original receipt.
- Submit the file at DRACES, MSPAS zone 11.
- Receive the intake receipt with file number.
- Physical inspection. MSPAS schedules a site visit. Inspectors verify infrastructure, ventilation, sinks, clean and dirty areas, drug storage, waste handling and overall biosecurity.
- Address findings if any. The inspection may leave a record with items to correct (signage, ventilation upgrades, sink installation, etc.).
- Re-inspection (if necessary) to validate corrections.
- Pick up the certificate signed and sealed by DRACES.
Cost and Time
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official cost | Variable per MSPAS fee schedule (Acuerdo Gubernativo 712-99) and facility category |
| Estimated time | 30-60 business days (longer if corrections are needed) |
| Validity | Until relevant structural changes occur |
| Modality | In-person, with mandatory physical inspection |
Before requesting inspection, hire an architect with experience in health-care establishments. Plans and the descriptive memorandum are the documents most frequently flagged for corrections.
How to Apply
The procedure is not available online. You must submit the physical file at:
- DRACES — Department of Regulation, Accreditation and Control of Health Establishments
- MSPAS headquarters, zone 11, Guatemala City
- MSPAS main switchboard: 2444-7474
Official portal entry: tramites.gob.gt/servicio/1755.
What the Inspection Verifies
MSPAS inspectors review, among other items:
- Differentiated areas (waiting, attention, procedures, sterilization, storage)
- Natural and mechanical ventilation per facility category
- Adequate lighting in clinical areas
- Sinks in correct number and location
- Floors and walls washable, crack-free, in critical areas
- Drug storage with temperature control where applicable
- Waste handling (containers, labeling, evacuation route)
- Safety signage and evacuation routes
- Emergency equipment (extinguishers, first-aid kit, oxygen if applicable)
- Biosecurity (procedures, personal protective equipment, training)
Common Mistakes
- Architectural plan without an active registered architect — the plan must be signed by a current colegiado.
- Failing to differentiate clean and dirty areas — a critical inspection point.
- No hospital-waste contract — mandatory before inspection.
- Incomplete descriptive memorandum — must describe patient flow, dimensions and services.
- Untrained staff in biosecurity — MSPAS asks for training records.
Related Procedures
- Sanitary License for Health Establishments
- Sanitary Registration Certificate Replacement
- Health Card (food handlers)
- Register a Business in Guatemala
- Guatemala government procedures hub