Idaho
A residential assisted living facility provides supervision, personal care, meals and lodging to three or more unrelated adults and must be licensed by IDHW. Its administrator must hold a license under the Residential Care Administrators Act (Idaho Code Title 54, Ch. 42). Smaller settings in a private home can be certified as certified family homes: two residents without a variance, and IDHW describes up to four. IDAPA 16.03.22 was substantially revised with a July 1, 2026 effective date, including new definitions and changes to criminal-history, staffing and admission provisions.
License categories
Residential assisted living facility (RALF)Certified family home (CFH)
Key laws
Idaho Code Title 39, Chapter 33
Idaho Residential Care or Assisted Living Act — official text
IDAPA 16.03.22
Residential Assisted Living Facilities — official text
IDAPA 16.03.19
Certified Family Homes — official text
Key requirements
- RALF staff must be up, awake and immediately available during residents' sleeping hours, with at least one direct care staff member certified in first aid and CPR on site at all times
- RALF staff need at least 16 hours of job-related orientation before working unsupervised and 8 hours of continuing training per year
- Staff who assist with medications must complete a medication assistance course from an Idaho community college or a Department-approved curriculum
- A CFH may admit or retain at most two residents without a Department variance
- CFH providers need at least 8 hours of relevant training per year
Sources
- https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/services-programs/residential-assisted-living-facilities-ralf
- https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/services-programs/assisted-care-and-facilities/certified-family-homes
- https://files.dfm.idaho.gov/dfm-admin-website/rules/current/16/160322.pdf
- https://files.dfm.idaho.gov/dfm-admin-website/rules/current/16/160319.pdf
- https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title39/T39CH33/