Assisted living in California: how it is licensed.
Who licenses assisted living in California, and what to check before you choose.
What California calls it
In California, assisted living is licensed under the term “Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE)”. Other states use different names, so it helps to know the exact term when you search.
Who licenses and inspects
California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division is the agency that licenses these communities. It is the official place to check a community’s license and inspection history. The state also lists an official facility search tool.
Paying for care
Medicare generally does not cover long term custodial care.
California's Department of Health Care Services describes the Assisted Living Waiver, a Medi-Cal home and community-based services waiver that tests assisted living as a benefit, available in 15 counties for adults 21 and older with full-scope Medi-Cal and nursing-facility-level care needs. Eligibility rules apply.
Checking a community
The Department of Social Services page links to a Find a Facility search labeled Transparency Site (Facility Search); the page does not describe what records the tool shows.
Help and complaints
California Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (Department of Aging) supports residents of long term care and their families.
Also worth knowing in California
The California Department of Social Services licenses and monitors Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly and Continuing Care Retirement Communities, and directs complaints about state licensed community care facilities to its Complaint Hotline page.
Sources we checked (October 2026)
Licensing rules change. We checked the pages below. Confirm with the state agency.
Questions
Who regulates assisted living in California?
California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division.