In Florida, the license families see for assisted living is "Assisted Living Facility (ALF)", issued by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), Assisted Living Unit. A health care practitioner must examine the person face to face within 60 days before or within 30 days after admission. A facility must give at least 45 days' notice before a move-out, with the reasons in writing and the ombudsman program's toll-free number.
Key facts
- The median monthly cost of assisted living in Florida was $5,610 in CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey, or $67,320 a year, $590 below the national median of $6,200 a month. (CareScout, 2026)
- Florida Medicaid's Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) Long-Term Care plans can provide home and community-based services in an assisted living facility, but Florida Medicaid cannot pay room and board. (Florida Department of Elder Affairs, 2026)
- Florida's rule does not name a specific TB test for new residents. (Florida Administrative Code, 2026)
- Trained unlicensed staff may help a medically stable resident take routine medications, with written informed consent. (Florida Legislature, 2026)
- A facility that advertises special care for Alzheimer's disease or related disorders must offer activities for people with cognitive impairment, use staff with required dementia training and, with 17 or more residents, keep an awake staff member on duty at all hours. (Florida Legislature, 2026)
Florida licenses assisted living facilities (ALFs) through the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) under Florida Statutes Chapter 429, Part I. A facility may add extended congregate care, limited nursing services, limited mental health or, under a 2026 law, memory care services licenses to its standard license, and the facts on this page are for the standard license.
Rules change and communities can set stricter policies. Before you sign, confirm the details with the community and the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), Assisted Living Unit. This page is general information, not legal advice.
The rules at a glance
| Medical assessment before move-in | A health care practitioner must examine the person face to face within 60 days before or within 30 days after admission. The results go on the practitioner's own form or on AHCA Form 1823, Resident Health Assessment for Assisted Living Facilities. [4] More on this |
|---|---|
| TB test | Florida's rule does not name a specific TB test for new residents. The admission medical exam must state whether the person has signs or symptoms of tuberculosis or another communicable disease likely to spread to residents or staff. [4] More on this |
| Notice before a move-out | A facility must give at least 45 days' notice before a move-out, with the reasons in writing and the ombudsman program's toll-free number. The 45 days do not apply if a physician certifies an emergency move to a higher level of care or the resident shows a pattern of conduct harmful or offensive to other residents. [5] More on this |
| Who may give medications | Trained unlicensed staff may help a medically stable resident take routine medications, with written informed consent. They may bring the resident an insulin syringe prefilled by a pharmacist or an insulin pen prefilled by the manufacturer, but may not prepare syringes or give any injection. [6] More on this |
| Memory care and dementia | A facility that advertises special care for Alzheimer's disease or related disorders must offer activities for people with cognitive impairment, use staff with required dementia training and, with 17 or more residents, keep an awake staff member on duty at all hours. These standards end once AHCA adopts rules for a memory care services license created in 2026. [7] |
| Long-term care ombudsman | Florida's Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program works through 14 district offices covering the whole state, handles complaints by or for assisted living residents, and can be reached toll-free at 1-888-831-0404. [8] Official page More on this |
| Medicaid help | Florida Medicaid's Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) Long-Term Care plans can provide home and community-based services in an assisted living facility, but Florida Medicaid cannot pay room and board. The local Aging and Disability Resource Center screens people for the program, and the Elder Helpline at 1-800-96-ELDER (800-963-5337) can help find it. [3] Official page More on this |
What assisted living costs in Florida
The median monthly cost of assisted living in Florida was $5,610 in CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey, or $67,320 a year, $590 below the national median of $6,200 a month. [9]
A median is the middle of the rates communities reported, so many charge more or less. Rates differ between regions and by the care a resident needs, so ask each community for its full fee list in writing. More: assisted living costs in every state, a monthly budget and the costs that aren't in the base rate.
How to check a community in Florida
AHCA runs a public website for locating licensed facilities in Florida, including assisted living facilities, nursing homes and adult family care homes. Search Florida's records. [3]
The licensing agency: Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), Assisted Living Unit. [2] Our guide on how to read an inspection report explains what to look for.
Put Florida's paperwork on a date
Parent Move Plan counts every task back from the move-in day, including the medical assessment and TB screening the community will ask for, so nothing lands in the last week.
Get your first 3 days freeFrequently asked questions
How much does assisted living cost in Florida?
The median monthly cost of assisted living in Florida was $5,610 in CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey, or $67,320 a year, $590 below the national median of $6,200 a month. A median is the middle of the rates communities reported, so many charge more or less, and rates differ between regions and by the care a resident needs.
What medical assessment does Florida require before moving into assisted living?
A health care practitioner must examine the person face to face within 60 days before or within 30 days after admission. The results go on the practitioner's own form or on AHCA Form 1823, Resident Health Assessment for Assisted Living Facilities.
Does Florida require a TB test for assisted living?
Florida's rule does not name a specific TB test for new residents. The admission medical exam must state whether the person has signs or symptoms of tuberculosis or another communicable disease likely to spread to residents or staff.
How much notice must an assisted living community in Florida give before a move-out?
A facility must give at least 45 days' notice before a move-out, with the reasons in writing and the ombudsman program's toll-free number. The 45 days do not apply if a physician certifies an emergency move to a higher level of care or the resident shows a pattern of conduct harmful or offensive to other residents.
Who can give medications in assisted living in Florida?
Trained unlicensed staff may help a medically stable resident take routine medications, with written informed consent. They may bring the resident an insulin syringe prefilled by a pharmacist or an insulin pen prefilled by the manufacturer, but may not prepare syringes or give any injection.
Who can help with a complaint about assisted living in Florida?
Florida's Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program works through 14 district offices covering the whole state, handles complaints by or for assisted living residents, and can be reached toll-free at 1-888-831-0404.
Does Medicaid pay for assisted living in Florida?
Florida Medicaid's Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) Long-Term Care plans can provide home and community-based services in an assisted living facility, but Florida Medicaid cannot pay room and board. The local Aging and Disability Resource Center screens people for the program, and the Elder Helpline at 1-800-96-ELDER (800-963-5337) can help find it.
Sources
- Florida Legislature: Fla. Stat. 429.07, License required; fee (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Florida Administrative Code: Rule 59A-36.002, Definitions, incl. (2) Agency Central Office (via flrules.org, 2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Florida Department of Elder Affairs: Housing Resources and Assistance (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Florida Administrative Code: Rule 59A-36.006, Admission Procedures, Appropriateness of Placement and Continued Residency Criteria, (1)(a) and (2) (via flrules.org, 2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Florida Legislature: Fla. Stat. 429.28(1)(k), Resident bill of rights (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Florida Legislature: Fla. Stat. 429.256, Assistance with self-administration of medication and with other tasks (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Florida Legislature: Fla. Stat. 429.178, Special care for persons with Alzheimer's disease or other related disorders, with note on ch. 2026-102 (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Florida Department of Elder Affairs: Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- CareScout: Cost of Care Survey 2025, Ranked Median Costs by State (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)