The Certificate of Need Improvement Amendment Act of 2025 revises the Health Services Planning Program Re-establishment Act of 1996 by exempting specific healthcare providers, such as digital-only telehealth platforms, federally qualified health centers, and outpatient behavioral health services, from the certificate of need process. The bill introduces new definitions for "group practice" and "nonpatient care project," eliminates the three-year maximum on certificate of need applications for active projects, and raises capital expenditure thresholds. It also requires the State Health Planning and Development Agency (SHPDA) to update these thresholds biennially and modifies the criteria for adding or removing beds at healthcare facilities that necessitate a certificate of need.

Additionally, the bill establishes a streamlined registration process for certain healthcare entities, mandating the Department of Health to review applications within a median of 10 business days and capping registration fees at $100 per year. It allows existing entities a two-year grace period for registration and requires separate registration for each physical location. The bill also updates various sections of the D.C. Official Code to reflect changes in terminology regarding healthcare practices and modifies the licensing process for social workers to include alternative pathways for licensure renewal. The provisions will take effect once their fiscal impact is accounted for in an approved budget and will become law following the Mayor's approval or a Council override of a potential veto, along with a 30-day congressional review period.