West Virginia

Residential assisted living licensing rules and official state resources

Licensure term: Small Assisted Living Residence
Resident capacity: 4-16 Adults
Staff ratios: A minimum of one direct care staff person twenty-four (24) hours per day, who can read and write, and shall have a sufficient number of qualified employees on duty to provide the residents with all of the care and services they require. (Class I)
Cost of licensing: 65.0
Bedroom square footage: In an existing small assisted living residence, semi-private bedrooms shall contain at least sixty (60) square feet of floor area per resident and private rooms shall contain eighty (80) square feet. (Class III)
Memory care: 5.5.c. The licensee shall provide training to all new employees within fifteen (15) days of employment and annually thereafter on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The licensee shall maintain an employee training record. The training shall be a minimum of two (2) hours in duration and shall include all the following: basic understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias; communication approaches and techniques for use when interacting with persons with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia; prevention and management of problem behaviors; and activities and programming appropriate for these individuals. (Class II)

Full requirements

Regulatory Agency: West Virginia Department of Health & Human Resources Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification
Contact Phone Number: (304) 558-0050
Licensure Term(s): Small Assisted Living Residence
Census Requirements: 4-16 Adults
Qualifications for Managers: A small residence shall have an administrator who is at least twenty-one (21) years of age and has completed high school or a general education development (GED) certificate. (Class III) 5.3.b. The administrator shall have a personal history that is free of evidence of abuse, fraud, or substantial and repeated violations of applicable laws and rules in the operation of any health or social care facility or service organization, or in the care of dependent persons; or conviction of crimes related to the care to a dependent persons as evidenced by a criminal investigative background check by the West Virginia state police through the central abuse registry. (Class II) 5.3.c. The administrator shall participate in eight (8) hours of training related to the operation of a residence annually and a record of this training shall be available for review. (Class III) 5.3.d. The administrator shall know the requirements of this rule, develop and execute all policies and procedures required by this rule, ensure compliance with all applicable laws, and ensure the adequacy and appropriateness of services delivered to the residents. (Class II) 5.3.e. The administrator or a responsible employee, designated in writing, shall be present and in charge of the residence at all times. (Class II)
Qualifications for Caregivers: One employee who has current first aid training and current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training, as applicable, shall be on duty at all times. A record of this training shall be available for review. (Class I) 5.4.d. The licensee shall have awake staff present in the residence during normal resident sleeping hours when residents require sleep time supervision. (Class I)
Staff Ratios: A minimum of one direct care staff person twenty-four (24) hours per day, who can read and write, and shall have a sufficient number of qualified employees on duty to provide the residents with all of the care and services they require. (Class I)
Cost of Licensing: 65.0
Square Footage Requirements: In an existing small assisted living residence, semi-private bedrooms shall contain at least sixty (60) square feet of floor area per resident and private rooms shall contain eighty (80) square feet. (Class III) 11.2.c. In a newly constructed or renovated residence no more than two (2) persons shall occupy a bedroom. In an existing residence no bedroom shall be occupied by more residents than the bed capacity approved by the commissioner on the effective date of this rule. (Class III)
Bathrooms Required: A bathroom containing a flushing toilet and hand washing sink, with a mirror over the sink, at a ratio of one (1) toilet and lavatory for every six (6) residents; and 11.3.a.2. A minimum of one (1) bathing facility per floor, with a bathtub or shower, equipped with non-slip surfaces, a flushing toilet and a hand washing sink; at a ratio of one (1) per ten (10) residents. (Class III) A minimum of 2 bathrooms with a toilet and sink.
Memory Care Requirements: 5.5.c. The licensee shall provide training to all new employees within fifteen (15) days of employment and annually thereafter on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The licensee shall maintain an employee training record. The training shall be a minimum of two (2) hours in duration and shall include all the following: basic understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias; communication approaches and techniques for use when interacting with persons with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia; prevention and management of problem behaviors; and activities and programming appropriate for these individuals. (Class II) 7.5.c. Staff shall monitor and document the resident's condition at least once every eight (8) hours for a period of twenty-four (24) hours following the accident or the onset of the illness, more frequently if specified by the licensed health care professional or at least every four (4) hours if the resident suffers from Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia and cannot communicate his or her condition or needs. (Class II) 8.2.b. Provide a minimum of seven (7) hours per week, one hour per day, unless the residents request more, of various types of scheduled activities, including activities appropriate for residents with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia;