Assisted Living Requirements

Understanding Kentucky's Assisted Living Regulations

Who Can Live in Assisted Living?

Assisted Living Communities are for senior adults who can manage at least some of their daily activities and for those who desire socialization.

Residents in Assisted Living Communities must be ambulatory. "Ambulatory" means able to walk, transfer, or move from place to place with or without hands-on assistance of another person, and with or without an assistive device, including but not limited to a walker or a wheelchair.

Licensure Levels

Assisted Living Communities are licensed by the Kentucky Office of Inspector General. There are three levels of Assisted Living Licensure:

  • ALC: Assisted Living Communities - Social Models
  • ALC-BH: Assisted Living Communities that can provide basic health services to residents
  • ALC-DC: Apartments in a Secured Dementia Care Unit in Assisted Living Communities

All Assisted Living Communities provide residents assistance with the activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living.

Laws & Regulations

The following links will connect you to some of the current laws and regulations governing Assisted Living Communities in Kentucky.

Kentucky Revised Statutes

View KRS 194A.700-729 - Scroll down to "Assisted Living Communities" to see the Kentucky Assisted Living statutes.

Kentucky Administrative Regulations

View 902 KAR 20:480 - The Kentucky Assisted Living regulations.

Adult Abuse, Neglect or Exploitation Reporting

Assisted Living Communities in Kentucky are required to report and maintain records on any alleged or actual cases of abuse, neglect or exploitation of an adult. View reporting requirements

Kentucky Occupational Safety & Health (OSH)

Assisted Living Communities are required to comply with Kentucky OSH requirements related to exposure control plans for bloodborne pathogens, first aid, hazardous communication plans, and emergency action plans. Visit Kentucky OSH