Regulations / KentuckyReviewed September 2026

Kentucky

Kentucky has three tiers relevant to board-and-care operators. OIG licenses personal care homes (supervision, basic health, personal care and residential services) and family care homes (24-hour supervision and personal care for no more than 3 unrelated residents). Separately, any establishment offering room and board on a 24-hour basis to three or more unrelated adults must register annually with the Department for Public Health as a boarding home. All three regulations have been updated recently: the PCH rule in July 2024, the boarding home rule recertified in October 2025, and the family care home rule in February 2026.

License categories

Personal care homeFamily care homeBoarding home (registered)Assisted living community

Key laws

902 KAR 20:036

Operation and services; personal care homes — official text

902 KAR 20:041

Operation and services; family care homes — official text

902 KAR 20:350 (KRS 216B.300-216B.320)

Boarding homes — official text

Key requirements

Personal care homes: at least one staff member awake and on site at all times; administrator must be at least 21 with a long-term care administrator license or a high school diploma/GED
Specialized PCHs serving residents with mental illness or intellectual disability: the administrator and at least one other direct care staff member must complete the state training workshop within 6 months of hire and every 2 years
Family care homes: no more than 3 unrelated residents; the operator must be at least 18 and attend annual Cabinet-approved training
Boarding homes (3+ unrelated adults, room and board): annual registration ($100 fee), inspection before registration and unannounced inspections, and criminal background checks for staff and volunteers

Kentucky

License categories

Key laws

Key requirements

Sources