Regulations / MichiganReviewed September 2026

Michigan

An AFC license is required to provide personal care, supervision and protection, plus room and board, to 3 to 20 unrelated adults 24 hours a day, 5 or more days a week, for 2 or more consecutive weeks, for pay. License types depend on capacity: family homes (3–6 residents; the licensee must live in the home), small group homes (up to 12), large group homes (13–20) and congregate facilities (over 20). Homes for the aged serve 21 or more unrelated people aged 55+. Michigan does not license 'assisted living' as such; an AFC or HFA license may be required depending on the care given.

License categories

Adult foster care (AFC) home: family home (3–6), small group home (3–12), large group home (13–20), congregate facility (20+)Home for the aged (HFA)

Key laws

Adult Foster Care Facility Licensing Act, 1979 PA 218 (MCL 400.701–400.737)

Adult Foster Care Facility Licensing Act — official text

Mich. Admin. Code R 400.14101 et seq.

Licensing Rules for Adult Foster Care Small Group Homes (12 or less) — official text

Mich. Admin. Code R 400.15101 et seq.

Licensing Rules for Adult Foster Care Large Group Homes (13-20) — official text

Key requirements

Small group homes: at least 1 direct care staff per 12 residents (R 400.14206); large group homes: 1:15 while residents are awake, 1:20 while they sleep (R 400.15206)
Licensees and administrators need 16 hours of department-approved training a year, or 6 college credit hours (R 400.14203 / R 400.15203)
Large group home administrators need at least 1 year of experience with people who are aged, mentally ill, developmentally disabled or physically handicapped (R 400.15202)
Direct care staff must be competent in first aid, CPR, personal care, resident rights, fire safety and communicable disease prevention (R 400.15204)
AFC family home licensee must live in the home

Michigan

License categories

Key laws

Key requirements

Sources