California

Residential assisted living licensing rules and official state resources

Licensure term: Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE)
Resident capacity: 6 unless you install fire suppression
Staff ratios: Sufficient staff must be employed to deliver services required by residents. Requirements for awake staff vary by facility size: for 16 or fewer residents, staff must be available in the facility; 16-100 residents, at least one awake staff; 101200 residents, one on call and one awake, with an additional awake staff for each additional 100 residents.
Cost of licensing: $495 http://www.ccld.ca.gov/res/pdf/annualfees2015.pdf
Bedroom square footage: Bedrooms shall be large enough to provide easy passage between and comfortable usage of beds and other required items. No more than 2 residents per bedroom.
Memory care: Dementia Care Staff -

Full requirements

Regulatory Agency: California Department of Social Services - Senior Care Licensing Program
Contact Phone Number: 916-657-2592
Licensure Term(s): Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE)
Census Requirements: 6 unless you install fire suppression
Qualifications for Managers: Administrators must complete 40 hours of continuing education units every 2 years, which must include 8 hours training on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. With prior approval, 20 of the 40 hours may be completed through online training. Licensed nursing home administrators are required to complete only 20 hours of continuing education.
Qualifications for Caregivers: All staff who assist residents with ADLs must receive at least 10 hours of initial training within the first 4 weeks of employment and at least 4 additional hours annually. Training topics include: first-aid; the aging process; the importance and techniques of personal care services and universal precautions (at least 3 of the 10 hours); residents’ rights; medication policies and procedures (at least 2 of the 10 hours); psychosocial aspects of aging; and recognizing signs and symptoms of dementia.
Staff Ratios: Sufficient staff must be employed to deliver services required by residents. Requirements for awake staff vary by facility size: for 16 or fewer residents, staff must be available in the facility; 16-100 residents, at least one awake staff; 101200 residents, one on call and one awake, with an additional awake staff for each additional 100 residents.
Square Footage Requirements: Bedrooms shall be large enough to provide easy passage between and comfortable usage of beds and other required items. No more than 2 residents per bedroom.
Bathrooms Required: At least one toilet and sink for every (6) people which includes residents and staff. At least one bathtub or shower for every ten (10) people, including residents and staff.