California

California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division, Adult and Senior Care Program

License: Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE)

• 1

  Administrator Qualifications: Must be 21 years old; high school diploma (15 beds or less); 15 college credits (16-49 beds); 2 years college or 3 years experience (50+ beds); 80-hour certification program and state exam; 40 hours continuing education every two years.

• 2

  Staff Qualifications: Must be 18 years old; pass criminal background check; 40 hours training within first year (20 hours before working independently, 20 hours within first four weeks); 20 hours training annually thereafter; dementia care training required for all staff; additional training for medication assistance.

• 3

  Staffing Ratios: No specific staff-to-resident ratio; sufficient personnel to meet resident needs; one administrator or qualified substitute on premises 24/7; one staff trained in CPR/first aid on duty at all times; one staff trained in CPR and first aid on duty and on the premises at all times.

• 4

  Night Supervision: For 15 or fewer residents, one qualified person on call and on premises; for 16-100 residents, one awake on premises, one on call within 10 minutes.

• 5

  Dementia Care: Special services for persons with dementia require meeting specific licensing requirements (CCR 87705-87707).

• 6

  Physical/Building Requirements: Prior to construction or alterations, all facilities shall obtain a building permit (87686). Licensing agency may require local building inspection if suspected hazard to health and safety exists (87686). Administrative offices for facilities with 16+ persons must include space for business, administration, admission, reception, and restrooms. Appropriate equipment, including a telephone, must be available. A private office for the administrator or other professional staff is required (87690). General storage space for equipment and supplies must be maintained and not used for other regulatory requirements (87690). Facility must be clean, safe, sanitary, and in good repair at all times (87691). Floor surfaces in bath, laundry, and kitchen areas must be clean, sanitary, and odorless (87691). Comfortable temperature must be maintained: minimum 68°F (20°C) for heating, and between 78°F (26°C) and 85°F (30°C) for cooling, or 30°F less than outside temperature in extreme heat (87691). All window screens must be clean and in good repair (87691). Lamps or appropriate lighting must be sufficient for comfort and safety in each room (87691). Water supplies and plumbing fixtures must be maintained. Private water sources require initial and periodic bacteriological analysis. Hot water for personal care must be between 105°F (41°C) and 120°F (49°C). Taps delivering water at 125°F (52°C) or above must have warning signs. Grab bars are required for each toilet, bathtub, and shower used by residents. Non-skid mats or strips must be used in all bathtubs and showers. Toilet, handwashing, and bathing facilities must be in operating condition (87691). Solid waste must be stored and disposed of to prevent communicable disease, odors, nuisances, or breeding places for insects/rodents (87691). Emergency lighting (flashlights or battery-powered) must be readily available (87691). Signal systems are required for facilities licensed for 16 or more residents, or those with separate floors or buildings (87691).

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  Fire Safety: All facilities shall be maintained in conformity with the regulations adopted by the State Fire Marshal for the protection of life and property against fire and panic (87689).

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