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California RCFE licensing and inspections

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In California, assisted living communities and board and care homes are licensed as Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFEs) by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), which describes them as housing for people 60 and over where 24-hour non-medical care and supervision is provided.[1] Since January 1, 2019, CDSS must inspect every RCFE at least once a year without notice, and inspection reports are public.[2]

Who licenses what in California

SettingLicensing agency
Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (assisted living, board and care, most memory care)CDSS Community Care Licensing Division, Senior Care Licensing Program[3]
Continuing Care Retirement CommunityCDSS Senior Care Licensing Program[3]
Home Care Organization (non-medical home care)CDSS Home Care Services Branch[4]
Skilled nursing facility, home health agency, hospiceCalifornia Department of Public Health, Licensing and Certification Program[5]

California Health and Safety Code section 1569.2 defines the terms used in RCFE licensing:[6]

Residential care facility for the elderly
A housing arrangement chosen voluntarily by persons 60 or over, or their authorized representative, where varying levels and intensities of care and supervision, protective supervision or personal care are provided based on their needs.
Care and supervision
Ongoing assistance with activities of daily living without which the resident’s health, safety or welfare would be endangered, including help with medications, money management or personal care.
Personal activities of daily living
Dressing, feeding, toileting, bathing, grooming, and mobility and associated tasks.
Protective supervision
Observing and assisting confused residents, including persons with dementia, to safeguard them against injury.

Inspections

Health and Safety Code section 1569.33 phased in annual inspections:[2]

PeriodInspection requirement
2017Annual unannounced inspections of at least 30% of RCFEs (random sample); every facility at least once every three years
2018At least 20% annually; every facility at least once every two years
Since January 1, 2019Annual unannounced inspections of all RCFEs

CDSS must notify a facility in writing of deficiencies, which must generally be corrected within 10 days unless the plan of correction says otherwise. Inspection reports, consultation reports, lists of deficiencies and plans of correction are open to public inspection.[2]

Dementia care requirements

All RCFE direct care staff must complete 12 hours of dementia care training (6 before working independently, 6 within four weeks) and 8 hours of dementia in-service training per year.[7] Facilities that advertise special dementia care must describe those features in their plan of operation and share the description with the public on request.[8]

How to look up a facility

  1. Open the CDSS Care Facility Search.[9]
  2. Choose the Elderly Assisted Living group, then the Assisted Living facility type (or the continuing care type for CCRCs).[9]
  3. Search by facility name, city, ZIP code or county, then open the facility record.
  4. Review the license status, capacity, visit dates, and the inspection and complaint reports.
  5. For the full file, including substantiated complaints, contact the CDSS regional office.[1]

Home care agencies are searched under the Home Care Organization group, and individual aides in the Home Care Aide Registry.[9][10]

Complaints and advocacy

Frequently asked questions

What is an RCFE in California?

An RCFE, or Residential Care Facility for the Elderly, is a housing arrangement for people 60 and over where 24-hour non-medical care and supervision is provided; RCFEs are often called assisted living facilities or board and care homes.[1]

Who licenses assisted living in California?

The California Department of Social Services, through the Community Care Licensing Division's Senior Care Licensing Program.[3]

Are California RCFE inspection reports public?

Yes. State law makes inspection reports, deficiency lists and plans of correction open to public inspection, and CDSS posts reports in its Care Facility Search.[2][9]

References

Web pages accessed September 28, 2026 unless noted. See sources and methodology.

  1. ^ "Resources for Residents and Families (Senior Care Licensing)". California Department of Social Services.
  2. ^ "California Health and Safety Code §1569.33 (inspections of RCFEs)". California Legislative Information.
  3. ^ "Senior Care Licensing Program". California Department of Social Services.
  4. ^ "Home Care Services". California Department of Social Services.
  5. ^ "Licensing and Certification Program". California Department of Public Health.
  6. ^ "California Health and Safety Code §1569.2 (definitions, residential care facilities for the elderly)". California Legislative Information.
  7. ^ "California Health and Safety Code §1569.627 (dementia training for direct care staff)". California Legislative Information.
  8. ^ "California Health and Safety Code §1569.626 (dementia care disclosures)". California Legislative Information.
  9. ^ "Care Facility Search". California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division. Search tool.
  10. ^ "California Home Care Aide Registry". California Department of Social Services. Search tool.
  11. ^ "Long-Term Care Ombudsman". California Department of Aging.
Categories: Senior living in California