Boarding home rules, state by state.
License types, the agency in charge, the controlling laws and the complaint line — for all 50 states and DC.
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Or search by state, license type or agency.
Alabama
ALAssisted living facility (group, congregate; family grandfathered)
Alaska
AKAssisted living home
Arizona
AZAssisted living home (10 or fewer residents)
Arkansas
ARResidential care facility
California
CAResidential care facility for the elderly (RCFE)
Colorado
COAssisted living residence (ALR)
Connecticut
CTResidential care home (rest home)
Delaware
DEAssisted living facility
District of Columbia
DCAssisted living residence (ALR)
Florida
FLAssisted living facility (standard; specialty licenses: ECC, LNS, LMH)
Georgia
GAPersonal care home
Hawaii
HIAdult residential care home (ARCH) Type I / Type II
Idaho
IDResidential assisted living facility (RALF)
Illinois
ILAssisted living establishment
Indiana
INResidential care facility
Iowa
IAResidential care facility (RCF)
Kansas
KSBoarding care home
Kentucky
KYPersonal care home
Louisiana
LAAdult residential care provider (ARCP) Levels 1-4
Maine
MEResidential care facility
Maryland
MDAssisted living program (Level 1 low / Level 2 moderate / Level 3 high care)
Massachusetts
MAAssisted living residence (ALR), certified
Michigan
MIAdult foster care (AFC) home: family home (3–6), small group home (3–12), large group home (13–20), congregate facility (20+)
Minnesota
MNAssisted living facility
Mississippi
MSPersonal care home – residential living
Missouri
MOResidential care facility (RCF)
Montana
MTAssisted living facility (Categories A, B, C, D)
Nebraska
NEAssisted-living facility
Nevada
NVResidential facility for groups (Category 1 / Category 2 residents; endorsements incl. assisted living, Alzheimer's)
New Hampshire
NHAssisted living residence – residential care (ALR-RC)
New Jersey
NJRooming and boarding houses (Class A, B, C, D, E, F licenses)
New Mexico
NMBoarding homes
New York
NYAdult homes
North Carolina
NCFamily care homes (2-6 residents)
North Dakota
NDBasic care facilities
Ohio
OHResidential facility Class 2 (formerly adult care facilities: adult family homes / adult group homes)
Oklahoma
OKResidential care homes
Oregon
ORAdult foster homes (up to 5 residents)
Pennsylvania
PAPersonal care homes
Rhode Island
RIAssisted living residences
South Carolina
SCCommunity Residential Care Facility (CRCF)
South Dakota
SDAssisted Living Center
Tennessee
TNAssisted-Care Living Facility (ACLF)
Texas
TXAssisted Living Facility – Type A
Utah
UTAssisted Living Facility – Type I
Vermont
VTResidential Care Home – Level III
Virginia
VAAssisted Living Facility – Residential Living Care
Washington
WAAdult Family Home
West Virginia
WVAssisted Living Residence (small and large)
Wisconsin
WICommunity-Based Residential Facility (CBRF)
Wyoming
WYBoarding Home
No states match that search.
Most states regulate through health agencies.
New Jersey is the only state where boarding homes are licensed by its Department of Community Affairs — a housing agency.
Who licenses boarding homes?
Primary licensing agency type, 50 states + DC
Source: NBHA state regulatory guide, reviewed September 2026. Hover a bar for states.
View as table
| Agency type | Jurisdictions |
|---|---|
| Health or health & human services department | 40 |
| Human services department | 5 |
| Aging & disability agency | 3 |
| Office of Inspector General | 1 |
| Behavioral health department | 1 |
| Community affairs (housing) | 1 |
Six federal rules that apply everywhere.
States write the details; these set the floor.
01The Keys Amendment
Social Security Act §1616(e)
Every state must designate an authority that sets and enforces standards for group living arrangements where a significant number of SSI recipients live — covering admission policies, safety, sanitation and civil rights. States must publish a summary of those standards annually and certify compliance to Social Security.
Official source02Medicaid HCBS settings rule
42 CFR 441.301(c)(4)
Homes that serve residents whose care is paid through Medicaid home and community-based services must be integrated in the community and protect privacy, dignity, choice and autonomy. Provider-controlled homes need legally enforceable residency agreements, lockable bedroom doors, visitor access and freedom over schedules and food.
Official source03Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services rule
CMS-2442-F (2024)
Adds HCBS requirements for states, including incident-management systems and grievance processes. In February 2026, CMS gave states until December 31, 2027 to meet the fee-for-service grievance-system requirements.
Official source04Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
Older Americans Act
Every state has an ombudsman program that advocates for residents of nursing homes, board-and-care and assisted living homes. Ombudsmen visit homes, resolve complaints and educate residents about their rights.
Official source05Life Safety Code: residential board and care
NFPA 101, Chapters 32 & 33
The national model fire and life-safety code has dedicated chapters for new and existing residential board-and-care occupancies, based on how quickly residents can evacuate. Many states adopt or reference it in their licensing or fire codes.
Official source06Disability rights in housing
Fair Housing Act · ADA · Section 504
Federal law prohibits housing discrimination because of disability and requires reasonable accommodations. The Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision requires public services to be provided in the most integrated setting appropriate.
Official source