Last updated 2026-07-24
TL;DR
California's Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD), part of the Department of Social Services, runs the public database for verifying any Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE) license. Search by facility name, license number, or county at the CDSS Care Facility Search tool to see license status, capacity, citations, and complaint history before you move in, invest, or apply for your own license.[1]
What is an RCFE license lookup in California and why does it matter
An RCFE license lookup is a search of California's public licensing database to confirm whether a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly is currently licensed, what its capacity is, and whether it has open citations or substantiated complaints. The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) publishes this data through its Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD). This matters for three different groups of people, and they use the lookup for different reasons. Families checking on a facility for a parent want to see complaint history and citations. Real estate investors and prospective operators buying an existing RCFE want to confirm the license is active and transferable, since RCFE licenses in California are not transferable between owners; a change of ownership requires a new application. [1] And current operators use it to confirm their own record is accurate, because a wrong capacity number or stale address on the public record can trigger questions during an inspection. The lookup itself is free and does not require an account. You do not need a case number or a referral from an ombudsman to search it. That is different from some states, where you have to file a public records request to see inspection history.
How do I look up an RCFE license in California step by step
Go to the CDSS Care Facility Search page and choose 'Adult and Senior Care' as the facility type, then narrow to Residential Care Facility for the Elderly. You can search by facility name, license number, city, county, or zip code. If you only have a partial name, use a wildcard search with just a few letters; the database is not case sensitive. Once you find the facility, the record shows the license number, licensee name, capacity, license status (current, pending, revoked, or closed), and administrator of record. Click through to see the facility's citation and visit history, which includes the inspection type (annual, complaint, or post-citation follow-up) and the outcome. A second and often faster route for pulling a full inspection history PDF is the CDSS Public Records public portal, which hosts scanned facility evaluation reports going back several years for many facilities. [2] These reports are the same documents a surveyor leaves behind after a visit, so they show specific deficiencies cited under Title 22 regulations, more than a pass/fail summary. If you are researching a facility to buy or a competitor in your market, pull both records: the current status page and the historical facility evaluation reports. The current page tells you where things stand today. The historical PDFs tell you whether problems are one-off or a pattern.
What is assisted living
Assisted living is a category of licensed residential care for adults who need help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, medication reminders, and meals, but who do not need the 24-hour skilled nursing care a nursing home provides. In California this category is licensed as the Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE), regulated under California Health and Safety Code Section 1569 and Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations. [1] [3] RCFEs range enormously in size and style. Some are small, six-bed homes in a converted single-family house, run under what California calls the Residential Care Facility for the Elderly license with a small facility designation. Others are 100-plus bed campuses with dedicated memory care wings, dining rooms, and activity staff. What they have in common under California law is that they provide 'care, supervision, and assistance' but are prohibited from providing continuous skilled nursing care. [3]
What is a group home
A group home, in the strict regulatory sense, is a licensed residential facility that houses a small number of unrelated people who need support, supervision, or treatment, most often children and youth in California's child welfare and mental health systems. This is a different license category from RCFEs. In everyday conversation, though, 'group home' gets used loosely to mean any small residential care setting, including adult residential facilities, RCFEs, and homes for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. If you are researching licensing requirements, the label matters a lot, because 'group home' in California statute now largely refers to Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs and related youth placements, while adult and senior residential care runs through separate RCFE and Adult Residential Facility (ARF) license categories under CDSS. [4] Confirm with your state licensing agency which category actually applies to the population you plan to serve before you file anything.
What is an assisted living facility (and what is assisted living facility, exactly)
An assisted living facility is the physical building and program combined: the licensed location where staff provide personal care, meals, housekeeping, medication support, and activities for older adults or adults with disabilities who live there. In California this is the RCFE, and the license attaches to both the physical location and the specific licensee (the person or entity approved to operate it), which is why you cannot simply buy a building and inherit the previous owner's license. [1] Every RCFE license lists a rated capacity, meaning the maximum number of residents CDSS has approved for that specific building based on room sizes, exits, and life-safety features. Operating above rated capacity is a licensing violation you will see cited in facility evaluation reports pulled from the lookup tool. If you're researching what a facility assisted living license actually requires before you apply, start with Title 22, Division 6, Chapter 8 of the California Code of Regulations, which lays out staffing, physical plant, and admission agreement requirements in detail. [3]
What is assisted living vs nursing home, and what is the difference between assisted living and nursing home care
| Licensing agency | CDSS Community Care Licensing | CA Dept of Public Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical model | Non-medical, social model | 24-hour skilled nursing | |
| Typical staffing | Caregivers, admin, care staff | RNs, LVNs, CNAs required around the clock | |
| Medicare coverage | Not covered as room and board | Covers short-term post-hospital stays [6] | |
| Medi-Cal coverage | Assisted Living Waiver in limited counties [7] | Covered for eligible long-term residents | The practical upshot for families: if a person needs IV medications, wound care, or ventilator support, that is a nursing home level of need, not assisted living. RCFEs can serve residents with significant care needs, including some hospice and dementia care, but they are not licensed or staffed for ongoing skilled nursing. |
The core difference is the level of medical care and the licensing agency. Assisted living (RCFE in California) is a non-medical, social model of care licensed by CDSS. Skilled nursing facilities provide 24-hour licensed nursing care, are certified by the California Department of Public Health, and are certified for Medicare and Medicaid (Medi-Cal) reimbursement under federal nursing home regulations at 42 CFR Part 483. [5] Here's a side by side comparison of the two: | Feature | RCFE (Assisted Living) | Skilled Nursing Facility |
What does assisted living provide day to day
Under California's RCFE regulations, licensees must provide (at minimum) room and board, supervision, assistance with activities of daily living, social and recreational activities, and arrangement for medical care when needed. [3] Medication management is common but has specific rules: unlicensed staff can assist with self-administration of medication, but only licensed staff (or residents themselves) can administer medications in most circumstances, per California Health and Safety Code Section 1569.69. [8] Beyond the regulatory minimum, actual day-to-day service varies a lot by facility size and price point. A small six-bed home might offer home-cooked meals and one-on-one caregiver attention. A larger community might have a full activities calendar, a dining room with menu choices, transportation to appointments, and dedicated memory care programming. None of this variation shows up in the license lookup itself; that only tells you the facility is authorized to operate and its compliance history, not the quality of its food or its activities program.
Does Medicare cover assisted living facilities
No. Medicare does not pay for room and board at an RCFE or any other assisted living setting, and it does not pay for long-term custodial care in general. [6] Medicare Part A covers short-term skilled nursing facility stays after a qualifying hospital stay, and Part B covers medically necessary services and some home health visits, but neither pays the monthly rent equivalent that assisted living communities charge. Medi-Cal (California's Medicaid program) can help in limited ways. The Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) is a Medi-Cal home and community-based services waiver that pays for certain RCFE and public subsidized housing services for eligible low-income seniors and people with disabilities in specific counties, as an alternative to nursing home placement. [7] It does not cover room and board directly in most cases; it pays for the care and supervision component. Coverage areas and enrollment are limited, so confirm current county participation and eligibility rules directly with the California Department of Health Care Services before assuming a facility or resident qualifies.
How to start a group home (or RCFE) in California
Starting any licensed residential care operation in California runs through CDSS Community Care Licensing, and the process is largely the same skeleton whether you are pursuing an RCFE, an Adult Residential Facility, or another CCLD-licensed category, though forms and requirements differ by program. The general path: 1. Decide which population and license category actually fits your business. This determines which statute and regulations apply and which CDSS regional office handles your file. 2. Complete the Licensee Applicant Orientation, which CDSS requires before you can submit an application for most adult and senior care license types. [1] 3. Secure and prepare your physical site so it meets Title 22 physical plant standards, fire clearance, and local zoning before you apply, since inspectors will check the building against code. 4. Submit the license application package, including fingerprinting (Live Scan) for all owners, administrators, and staff with resident contact, a fire clearance from the local fire authority, a facility sketch, and required fees. Fee amounts vary by capacity and change periodically, so confirm the current fee schedule with your state licensing agency before budgeting. 5. Pass the pre-licensing inspection. 6. Hire and train staff to meet minimum staffing ratios and required training hours specified in Title 22. [3] This is also where founders often underestimate the paperwork load. Between the application itself, the admission agreement templates, the required policies and procedures manual, disaster and mode plans, and personnel files, you are assembling dozens of documents before your first resident ever moves in. That's the specific gap our $299 State Group Home Licensing Kit is built to close: state-specific application checklists and policy manual templates so you are not drafting every document from a blank page. It's a paperwork accelerator, not a shortcut around CDSS's actual review and inspection process, and it does not guarantee approval.
How do I start a group home if I'm targeting a different population (not seniors)
If your target population is adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities, adults with mental health needs, or youth, you are looking at a different CCLD license category than RCFE, such as Adult Residential Facility, Group Home / Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program, or a specialized certification tied to the Department of Developmental Services regional center system. The application skeleton (orientation, Live Scan, fire clearance, physical plant approval, pre-licensing inspection) is similar across categories, but staffing ratios, training hour requirements, and even zoning treatment differ meaningfully by population. A home for six seniors and a home for six adults with serious mental illness are not interchangeable licenses, even if the building looks the same from the street. Confirm with CDSS which program option matches your intended population before you sign a lease or start renovations, because retrofitting for the wrong license category gets expensive fast.
What should I check before buying or investing in an existing RCFE
Pull the full facility evaluation report history, more than the current status. Look specifically for repeat citations in the same category (medication management, staffing ratios, physical plant) across multiple visits, since a pattern is a much bigger red flag than a single isolated citation years ago. [2] Confirm the license is in good standing and not under a pending revocation, suspension, or a Special Care Provision restriction. Check whether the facility has had a change of administrator recently, since administrator turnover often correlates with operational instability. And remember that because RCFE licenses do not transfer with a sale, your purchase almost certainly requires filing a brand new license application with CDSS under the new ownership entity, with its own orientation, Live Scan, and inspection timeline. Do not assume you can close on a property and keep operating under the seller's license number for even a single day past the ownership transfer; operating without your own valid license is a serious violation.
Frequently asked questions
How do I look up an RCFE license number in California?
Use the CDSS Care Facility Search tool, select Adult and Senior Care, then RCFE, and search by facility name, city, or zip code.[1] The results show the license number, capacity, licensee name, and current status, plus a link to citation and inspection history.
Is the California RCFE license lookup free to use?
Yes. CDSS's Care Facility Search database is free and public, with no account or login required.[1] You can also request scanned facility evaluation reports through the CDSS public records portal for older inspection history.[3]
What is assisted living in simple terms?
Assisted living is licensed, non-medical residential care for adults who need help with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, and medications but do not need 24-hour nursing care. California licenses these as Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFEs) under Health and Safety Code Section 1569.[2]
What is a group home?
Strictly speaking, a group home is a licensed residential facility for a small number of unrelated people needing support, most commonly used in California for youth in Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs. People also use the term loosely for any small licensed residential care home, including adult and senior facilities.[5]
What is an assisted living facility?
It's the licensed building and program together, where staff provide supervision, personal care, meals, and activities to residents who live there. In California this is the RCFE, licensed by CDSS with a set rated capacity that cannot legally be exceeded.[2][4]
What is the difference between assisted living and a nursing home?
Assisted living (RCFE) is a non-medical, social model licensed by CDSS's Community Care Licensing Division. Nursing homes provide 24-hour skilled nursing care, are licensed by the California Department of Public Health, and follow federal nursing home rules under 42 CFR Part 483.[6]
Does Medicare cover assisted living facilities?
No. Medicare does not cover room and board at assisted living facilities or other long-term custodial care.[7] Medicare Part A only covers short, medically necessary skilled nursing facility stays after a qualifying hospital admission, not ongoing assisted living.
Does Medi-Cal pay for assisted living in California?
Sometimes, through the Assisted Living Waiver (ALW), a Medi-Cal home and community-based services program available in specific counties for eligible low-income seniors and people with disabilities.[8] It generally covers care services, not full room and board, and county participation is limited, so confirm current availability with the Department of Health Care Services.
How do I start a group home or RCFE in California?
Complete CDSS's required Licensee Applicant Orientation, secure a site meeting Title 22 physical plant and fire clearance standards, submit the license application with Live Scan fingerprinting for staff, pass the pre-licensing inspection, and staff the home to meet minimum ratios before admitting residents.[2][4]
Can I transfer an RCFE license when I buy a facility?
No. California RCFE licenses are not transferable between owners.[2] A change of ownership requires the new owner to file a full, new license application with CDSS, including orientation, Live Scan, and a fresh pre-licensing inspection, even if the building and staff stay the same.
What shows up on an RCFE facility evaluation report?
These reports document specific findings from CDSS inspections, including citations for violations of Title 22 regulations, whether the visit was an annual inspection, a complaint investigation, or a follow-up, and the facility's response or corrective action.[3][4] They're available through the CDSS public records portal.
Who regulates assisted living facilities in California?
The California Department of Social Services, through its Community Care Licensing Division, licenses and regulates Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly under Health and Safety Code Section 1569 and Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations.[2][4]
Sources
- California Health and Safety Code Section 1569 (RCFE Act): Statutory basis for RCFE licensing, licensee requirements, and non-transferability of licenses
- California Department of Social Services, Public Records / Facility Evaluation Reports portal: Historical facility evaluation and inspection reports available to the public
- California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 6, Chapter 8 (RCFE regulations): Physical plant, staffing, and service requirements for RCFEs
- California Department of Social Services, Group Home / Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program overview: Group home license category applies primarily to youth STRTP placements in California
- Code of Federal Regulations, 42 CFR Part 483 (Requirements for States and Long Term Care Facilities): Federal requirements governing skilled nursing facility licensing and care standards
- Medicare.gov, Nursing Home Care coverage page: Medicare does not cover long-term custodial care or assisted living room and board
- California Department of Health Care Services, Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) program page: Medi-Cal Assisted Living Waiver covers certain RCFE-based services for eligible enrollees in specific counties
- California Health and Safety Code Section 1569.69: Rules governing medication assistance and administration in RCFEs