ALF Regulatory Compliance & Licensing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An assisted living facility's license typically must be displayed in what manner?
- Kept in a locked administrative file
- Displayed only during survey visits
- Posted conspicuously in a public area of the facility (Correct answer)
- Filed exclusively with the state agency
Correct answer: Posted conspicuously in a public area of the facility
Most states require the current license to be posted conspicuously where residents and visitors can see it.
Question 2: What is generally required before an ALF can increase its licensed bed capacity?
- Approval from the state licensing agency (Correct answer)
- A vote of the resident council
- Notification to the local newspaper
- Approval from the facility's insurance carrier only
Correct answer: Approval from the state licensing agency
Changes in licensed capacity require prior approval or license amendment from the state licensing agency.
Question 3: A facility receives a statement of deficiencies after a survey. What document must it typically submit in response?
- A certificate of need
- An incident report
- A variance request
- A plan of correction (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A plan of correction
Facilities must submit a plan of correction stating how and when each cited deficiency will be corrected.
Question 4: Which of the following would most likely constitute operating an unlicensed assisted living facility?
- Renting apartments to seniors with no services provided
- Providing housing plus personal care services to unrelated adults without a license (Correct answer)
- Operating a licensed adult day care program
- A family caring for an elderly relative at home
Correct answer: Providing housing plus personal care services to unrelated adults without a license
Combining housing with personal care services for unrelated adults generally triggers ALF licensure requirements.
Question 5: What typically happens to an ALF license when the facility is sold to a new owner?
- The license automatically transfers with the property deed
- The license transfers after a 30-day grace period
- The license is not transferable and the new owner must apply for a new license (Correct answer)
- The license is split between old and new owners
Correct answer: The license is not transferable and the new owner must apply for a new license
ALF licenses are generally non-transferable, requiring the new owner to obtain its own license through a change-of-ownership process.
Question 6: An administrator discovers a staff member's professional certification has lapsed. What is the most appropriate immediate action?
- Allow the staff member to continue working while renewal is pending
- Remove the staff member from duties requiring the certification until it is renewed (Correct answer)
- Report the staff member to law enforcement
- Terminate the staff member immediately without review
Correct answer: Remove the staff member from duties requiring the certification until it is renewed
Staff may not perform duties requiring an active credential, so they must be reassigned or removed from those duties until renewal.
Question 7: Which agency action generally allows a facility to keep operating while alleged violations are contested?
- An emergency suspension order
- License revocation
- A cease and desist order
- A provisional or conditional license (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A provisional or conditional license
A provisional or conditional license permits continued operation under increased oversight while compliance issues are resolved.
ALF Regulatory Compliance & Licensing 2
An assisted living facility's license typically must be displayed in what manner?