Texas

Residential assisted living licensing rules and official state resources

Licensure term: Assisted Living Facility Type B
Resident capacity: 16 Max (varies by municipality)
Staff ratios: No mandatory minimums. A facility must develop and implement staffing policies, which require staffing ratios based upon the needs of the residents, as identified in their service plans.
Cost of licensing: Initial License Fee of $200, plus $10 for each bed for which a license is sought, with a maximum of $1,500. Renewal Fee for a one-year license is $100, plus $5 for each bed for which a license is sought, with a maximum of $750. The fee must be paid with each initial application and with each renewal application.
Bedroom square footage: Bedroom usable floor space for Type B facilities must be not less than 100 square feet per bed for a single-bed room and not less than 80 square feet per bed for a multiple-bedroom. A bedroom for a person with a physical disability or mobility impairment must meet accessibility standards for access around the bed or beds, which is a minimum of 3'-0" clear width for access aisles. A bedroom must not be less than ten feet in the smallest dimension unless specifically approved by DADS.
Memory care: Additional $200 fee, additional training requirements for managers and staff. Additional building requirements (see regulations for details.)

Full requirements

License Application: To apply for a license, you must first complete online training and get certification
Regulatory Agency: Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)
Contact Phone Number: 512-424-6500
Licensure Term(s): Assisted Living Facility Type B
Census Requirements: 16 Max (varies by municipality)
Qualifications for Managers: Minimum high school graduate. 24-hour training in Management of Assisted Living Facilities course. 12 hours minimum of Continuing Education courses per year. Manager's responsibilities: The manager must be on duty 40 hours per week and may manage only one facility.
Qualifications for Caregivers: All staff members must complete four hours of orientation before assuming any job responsibilities. Training must cover, at a minimum, the following topics: (i) reporting of abuse and neglect; (ii) confidentiality of resident information; (iii) universal precautions; (iv) conditions about which they should notify the facility manager; (v) residents' rights; and (vi) emergency and evacuation procedures. 16 hours on-the-job training with supervision within the first 16 hours of employment following orientation. (See Regs for more details.) Direct care staff must complete six documented hours of education annually, based on each employee's hire date. Staff must complete one hour of annual training in fall prevention and one hour of training in behavior management, for example, prevention of aggressive behavior and de-escalation techniques, practices to decrease the frequency of the use of restraint, and alternatives to restraints. Training for these subjects must be competency-based. Subject matter must address the unique needs of the facility.
Staff Ratios: No mandatory minimums. A facility must develop and implement staffing policies, which require staffing ratios based upon the needs of the residents, as identified in their service plans. Type B facility: Night shift staff must be immediately available and awake, regardless of the number of licensed beds.
Cost of Licensing: Initial License Fee of $200, plus $10 for each bed for which a license is sought, with a maximum of $1,500. Renewal Fee for a one-year license is $100, plus $5 for each bed for which a license is sought, with a maximum of $750. The fee must be paid with each initial application and with each renewal application.
Square Footage Requirements: Bedroom usable floor space for Type B facilities must be not less than 100 square feet per bed for a single-bed room and not less than 80 square feet per bed for a multiple-bedroom. A bedroom for a person with a physical disability or mobility impairment must meet accessibility standards for access around the bed or beds, which is a minimum of 3'-0" clear width for access aisles. A bedroom must not be less than ten feet in the smallest dimension unless specifically approved by DADS. Each bedroom must have at least one operable window with outside exposure. In facilities that have living units consisting of separate living spaces, dining spaces, and bedrooms, 10% of the required bedroom square footage may be included as part of the living and dining space.
Bathrooms Required: One water closet and one lavatory for each six occupants or fraction thereof including a portion less than six is required. One tub or shower for each ten occupants or fraction thereof is required.
Memory Care Requirements: Additional $200 fee, additional training requirements for managers and staff. Additional building requirements (see regulations for details.)