District of Columbia
An assisted living residence combines housing, health and personalized assistance, under individual service plans, for people unrelated to the owner or operator, and it must hold a DC Health license. DC Health also licenses community residence facilities (22-B DCMR Chapter 34) for elderly and physically disabled adults. The Department of Behavioral Health licenses mental health community residence facilities for adults with a principal diagnosis of mental illness, generally up to 8 residents, in three levels: supported, supported rehabilitative and intensive residence. ALR regulations were rewritten in 2020 (22-B DCMR Ch. 101), and assisted living administrator licensing rules took effect February 18, 2022.
License categories
Assisted living residence (ALR)Community residence facilityMental health community residence facility (MHCRF)
Key laws
D.C. Code ยง 44-101.01 et seq.
Assisted Living Residence Regulatory Act of 2000 — official text
22-B DCMR Chapter 101
Assisted Living Residence Regulations (final rule, 67 DCR 3717, April 3, 2020) — official text
22-A DCMR Chapter 38
Mental Health Community Residence Facilities — official text
Key requirements
- ALR must be run by an administrator licensed by the DC Board of Long-Term Care Administration (NAB RC/AL exam; 40 CE hours per 2-year renewal)
- A separate license is required for each ALR
- Background checks: DC Health may check ALR applicants' criminal records; MHCRF staff must complete background checks within 45 days before starting work
- MHCRFs are capped at 8 residents (up to 25 for facilities licensed before December 23, 1991)
Sources
- https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/assisted-living-residences
- https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/44-102.01
- https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/titles/44/chapters/1
- https://dchealth.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/doh/publication/attachments/ALR%20Final%20Regulations%20-%2022B%20DCMR%2010100%20(2).pdf
- https://dchealth.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/doh/service_content/attachments/Assisted%20Living%20Administrator%20Regulation_17%20DCMR%20Ch.%20113_0.pdf
- https://dchealth.dc.gov/publication/community-residential-facilities-elderly-and-physically-disabled
- https://dbh.dc.gov/page/department-behavioral-health-dbh-rules
- https://dbh.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dmh/publication/attachments/Final%20Rulemaking%2022A%20DCMR%20Chapter%2038.doc.pdf