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Assisted Living:

I would like to get information about opening an independent living facility or assisted living facility (ALF). Do I need license? How many people can live there?

Do I need to get zoning department approval to open an assisted living facility?

I am interested in starting my own ALF with less than 10 residents initially. What are the rules, regulations, and sites that I will need to be aware of?

I am opening a small Assisted Living Facility (ALF) and know that the facility must be inspected by the local county health department (CHD) before AHCA will accept my application. Who do I contact regarding a food hygiene inspection and a physical plant inspection?

Who do I contact regarding a fire inspection to open up an assisted living facility?

I am taking my Assisted Living director classes in another state. If I move to Florida do I need to take the classes’ again?

Is there a central location where complaints are filed against Assisted Living Facilities (ALF) registered or licensed in the state of Florida? If there is, what is the phone number and web address? How do I check the history of these facilities?

I need to know if an Assisted Living Facility (ALF) has been approved by the state. Where would I go to get that information?

Where can I find the names of licensed group homes within my city limits?

I would like to get information about opening an independent living facility or assisted living facility (ALF). Do I need license? How many people can live there?

The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) is responsible for licensing ALFs. For licensing information and required forms, you can visit their website at:

** All links on this page to a www.fdch.state.fl.us site open in a new window **

http://www.fdhc.state.fl.us/MCHQ/Long_Term_Care/Assisted_living/index.shtml and

http://www.fdhc.state.fl.us/MCHQ/Long_Term_Care/Assisted_living/alf.shtml

To speak with an AHCA licensing specialist you can call 850-487-2515.

The Department of Health (DOH) is responsible for physical plant inspections specific to environmental health and permitting/inspecting food service at the facility. For information regarding food hygiene permitting, you can contact the local county health department in the county the facility will be located. Also, you can find related information on the department's website at:

http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/community/food/index.html and

http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/community/group/alf.htm

Do I need to get zoning department approval to open an assisted living facility?

For information related to zoning and related requirements, contact the local county or city government office related to zoning and building inspections.

I am interested in starting my own ALF with less than 10 residents initially. What are the rules, regulations, and sites that I will need to be aware of?

The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) is responsible for licensing assisted living facilities (ALF). For licensing information and required forms, you can visit their website at:

http://www.fdhc.state.fl.us/MCHQ/Long_Term_Care/Assisted_living/index.shtml and

http://www.fdhc.state.fl.us/MCHQ/Long_Term_Care/Assisted_living/alf.shtml

To speak with an AHCA licensing specialist, you can call 850-487-2515.

The Department of Health (DOH) is responsible for physical plant inspections specific to environmental health and permitting/inspecting food service at the facility. For information regarding food hygiene permitting, you can contact the local county health department in the county the facility will be located. Also, you can find related information on the department's website at:

http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/community/food/index.html and

http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/community/group/alf.htm

I am opening a small Assisted Living Facility (ALF) and know that the facility must be inspected by the local county health department (CHD) before AHCA will accept my application. Who do I contact regarding a food hygiene inspection and a physical plant inspection?

The Department of Health (DOH) is responsible for physical plant inspections specific to environmental health and permitting/inspecting food service at the facility. For information regarding food hygiene permitting and physical plant inspections, you can contact the County Health Department (CHD) environmental health section. Also, you can find related information on the department's website at:

http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/community/food/index.html and

http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/community/group/alf.htm

Who do I contact regarding a fire inspection to open up an assisted living facility?

For information related to fire safety and inspection requirements for fire safety, contact the local fire department.

I am taking my Assisted Living director classes in another state. If I move to Florida do I need to take the classes’ again?

The agency responsible for those credentials in Florida is the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA).

Indications are only classes and tests administered specifically for Florida are accepted in the state of Florida. Therefore, if the class you are taking is not s specifically for Florida, you will have to re-take classes and tests to work in Florida. To speak with an AHCA licensing specialist, you can call 850-487-2515.

Is there a central location where complaints are filed against Assisted Living Facilities (ALF) registered or licensed in the state of Florida? If there is, what is the phone number and web address? How do I check the history of these facilities?

The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) licenses assisted living facilities (ALF) in Florida. To file a complaint with AHCA you can call their call center hotline at 1-888-419-3456 or visit their web site at:

http://www.fdhc.state.fl.us/Contact/call_center.shtml

The Department of Health (DOH) regulates food hygiene and group care/physical plant inspections at ALF's. If you have a complaint regarding food safety or a group care/physical plant issue, you can contact the local county health department (CHD) environmental health section and make a complaint. Information regarding facility history may be obtained by contacting the AHCA Bureau of Long Term Care Services, ALF Licensing Unit:

http://www.fdhc.state.fl.us/MCHQ/Long_Term_Care/Assisted_living/index.shtml

Additionally, food and group care/physical plant inspections may be reviewed by contacting the local county health department, environmental health section, and ask to review the facility files.

I need to know if an Assisted Living Facility (ALF) has been approved by the state. Where would I go to get that information?

The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) is responsible for licensing ALFs. For licensing information and required forms, you can visit their website at:

http://www.fdhc.state.fl.us/MCHQ/Long_Term_Care/Assisted_living/index.shtml and

http://www.fdhc.state.fl.us/MCHQ/Long_Term_Care/Assisted_living/alf.shtml

To speak with an AHCA licensing specialist you can call 850-487-2515.

Where can I find the names of licensed group homes within my city limits?

Assisted living facilities and nursing home facilities are licensed by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). The following AHCA website contains a list of licensed facilities that are regulated by AHCA. Once at the website, you may search by facility type and by county for a list of placement options:

http://facilitylocator.floridahealthstat.com/proximity/facloc.shtml (opens in new window)