Arkansas

Residential assisted living licensing rules and official state resources

Licensure term: Assisted Living Facility Level 1
Resident capacity: No max, staff ratios requirements apply
Staff ratios: 1 day staff, 1 night staff for 16 or fewer beds.
Cost of licensing: $5/bed
Bedroom square footage: New construction: 20 sq ft of living room space per licensed bed AND 20 sq ft of dining room space per licensed bed.
Memory care: Alzheimer's Special Care Units (ASCU) are specialized units of long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes or assisted-living facilities, that offer services specifically for individuals with Alzheimer's Disease or related dementia.

Full requirements

Regulatory Agency: Arkansas Department of Human Services - Division of Medical Services
Contact Phone Number: Jennifer Garrison - 501-320-6196
Licensure Term(s): Assisted Living Facility Level 1
Census Requirements: No max, staff ratios requirements apply
Qualifications for Managers: A full-time administrator must be designated by each assisted living facility. A second administrator must be employed either part-time or full-time, depending on how many beds are in the facility. For Level I facilities, an appropriate number of staff must be available to meet the needs of residents and to meet the staffing ratios explained in regulation. Level II facilities are required to employ or contract with at least one RN, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants (CNAs), and personal care aides. At minimum, the RN must be available by phone or pager. The facility must have maintain a ratio of one staff person per 15 residents from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and one staff person per 25 residents from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. One CAN must be on the premises per shift. The administrator must be at least 21 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, have successfully completed a state criminal background check, and be a certified Assisted Living Facility Administrator through a state-approved certification program. All staff must complete six hours of ongoing education and training each year. Every staff member, including contracted personnel, must complete orientation and training on the following within seven days of hire: building safety and emergency measures; required response to emergencies; abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation and reporting requirements; incident reporting; sanitation and food safety; resident health and related problems; overview of the job's requirements; philosophy and principles of independent living in an assisted living residence; and Residents' Bill of Rights. Within 30 days of hire staff must receive training in medication assistance or monitoring; communicable diseases; and dementia and cognitive impairment; and within 180 calendar days from date of hire: communication skills; review of the aging process, and disability sensitivity training.
Qualifications for Caregivers: • Core Caregiver Certification Program (16 hours) • Personal Care Aide CEUs (12 hours) • Certified Nursing Aides CEUs (12 hours)
Staff Ratios: 1 day staff, 1 night staff for 16 or fewer beds. For small facilities (16 or fewer beds), each staff person on duty may be counted as direct care staff even if they are currently involved in administrative, housekeeping, or dietary activities; and the night staff person may be asleep in the facility.
Cost of Licensing: $5/bed
Square Footage Requirements: New construction: 20 sq ft of living room space per licensed bed AND 20 sq ft of dining room space per licensed bed. Existing homes: 20 sq ft of living and dining room space per licensed bed. A single occupancy bedroom shall contain 100 sq ft exclusive of entranceway and closet space. A shared bedroom must have at least 80 sq ft per resident. No more than 2 residents per room.
Bathrooms Required: One (1) toilet and sink for every six (6) residents, one (1) shower for every ten (10) residents