In Idaho, the license families see for assisted living is "Residential Assisted Living Facility (RALF)", issued by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Residential Assisted Living Facilities Program. Before admission, the facility must assess each resident, including a pre-admission assessment by a licensed nurse, and the assessment can be done up to 30 days before the move. In non-emergency cases, a facility must give at least 30 calendar days' written notice before a discharge or transfer, stating the specific reason, the effective date and the resident's appeal rights.
Key facts
- The median monthly cost of assisted living in Idaho was $5,175 in CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey, or $62,100 a year, $1,025 below the national median of $6,200 a month. (CareScout, 2026)
- Idaho Medicaid's Aged and Disabled waiver can pay for adult residential care services in a licensed residential assisted living facility, but its payment does not include room and board. (Idaho Admin. Code 16.03.26.541 and .542, A&D waiver services eligibility; coverage and limitations, 2026)
- Idaho's assisted living rule does not require a TB test for new residents. (Idaho Admin. Code 16.03.22.335, 2026)
- Medication administration is done by a licensed nurse, and unlicensed staff may only assist residents who cannot self-administer, after a medication assistance course and individual delegation by the facility nurse. (Idaho Admin. Code 16.03.22.010 and .645, 2026)
- Idaho's assisted living rule has no separate memory care license and no dementia-specific staffing rules. (Idaho Admin. Code 16.03.22.010, .250 and .625, 2026)
Idaho calls assisted living a residential assisted living facility (RALF); state law calls it a residential care or assisted living facility, meaning a home or facility that gives supervision, personal assistance, meals and lodging to three or more adults not related to the owner. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare licenses RALFs under Idaho Code Title 39, Chapter 33 and IDAPA 16.03.22, and the facts below cover that license. Certified Family Homes are a separate type of family-style home that the same department certifies instead of licenses.
Rules change and communities can set stricter policies. Before you sign, confirm the details with the community and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Residential Assisted Living Facilities Program. This page is general information, not legal advice.
The rules at a glance
| Medical assessment before move-in | Before admission, the facility must assess each resident, including a pre-admission assessment by a licensed nurse, and the assessment can be done up to 30 days before the move. Admission records must also include a physical or health exam by a physician or authorized provider, such as a nurse practitioner, within the six months before admission. [2][5][6][13] More on this |
|---|---|
| TB test | Idaho's assisted living rule does not require a TB test for new residents. It does require infection control policies that follow recognized standards, and facilities must report cases of the diseases on Idaho's reportable disease list. [7] More on this |
| Notice before a move-out | In non-emergency cases, a facility must give at least 30 calendar days' written notice before a discharge or transfer, stating the specific reason, the effective date and the resident's appeal rights. Idaho Code allows discharge for nonpayment, medical reasons, needs the facility cannot meet or that exceed its care level, or the welfare of the resident or other residents. [2][3][4] More on this |
| Who may give medications | Medication administration is done by a licensed nurse, and unlicensed staff may only assist residents who cannot self-administer, after a medication assistance course and individual delegation by the facility nurse. The rules do not say whether insulin injections may be delegated, and the nursing board's list of tasks unlicensed staff may help with does not include injections. [8][9] More on this |
| Memory care and dementia | Idaho's assisted living rule has no separate memory care license and no dementia-specific staffing rules. A facility that keeps residents with cognitive impairment who have left, or tried to leave, the property without staff knowing must provide a secure and safe interior and exterior yard, and staff training must fit the population served. [10] |
| Long-term care ombudsman | Idaho's Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, part of the Idaho Commission on Aging, protects the rights of assisted living and nursing facility residents, investigates complaints and can be reached at (208) 334-3833 or (877) 471-2777. [11] Official page More on this |
| Medicaid help | Idaho Medicaid's Aged and Disabled waiver can pay for adult residential care services in a licensed residential assisted living facility, but its payment does not include room and board. Participants must need nursing facility level of care, and people who apply after the waiver maximum is reached go on a waiting list until the next waiver year. [12] Official page More on this |
What assisted living costs in Idaho
The median monthly cost of assisted living in Idaho was $5,175 in CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey, or $62,100 a year, $1,025 below the national median of $6,200 a month. [14]
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 Idaho
The Department's public portal lets families search residential assisted living facilities and read survey (inspection) results. The RALF team, which also investigates complaints, can be reached at 208-364-1962 or RALF@dhw.idaho.gov. Search Idaho's records. [1]
The licensing agency: Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Residential Assisted Living Facilities Program. [1] Our guide on how to read an inspection report explains what to look for.
Put Idaho'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 Idaho?
The median monthly cost of assisted living in Idaho was $5,175 in CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey, or $62,100 a year, $1,025 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 Idaho require before moving into assisted living?
Before admission, the facility must assess each resident, including a pre-admission assessment by a licensed nurse, and the assessment can be done up to 30 days before the move. Admission records must also include a physical or health exam by a physician or authorized provider, such as a nurse practitioner, within the six months before admission.
Does Idaho require a TB test for assisted living?
Idaho's assisted living rule does not require a TB test for new residents. It does require infection control policies that follow recognized standards, and facilities must report cases of the diseases on Idaho's reportable disease list.
How much notice must an assisted living community in Idaho give before a move-out?
In non-emergency cases, a facility must give at least 30 calendar days' written notice before a discharge or transfer, stating the specific reason, the effective date and the resident's appeal rights. Idaho Code allows discharge for nonpayment, medical reasons, needs the facility cannot meet or that exceed its care level, or the welfare of the resident or other residents.
Who can give medications in assisted living in Idaho?
Medication administration is done by a licensed nurse, and unlicensed staff may only assist residents who cannot self-administer, after a medication assistance course and individual delegation by the facility nurse. The rules do not say whether insulin injections may be delegated, and the nursing board's list of tasks unlicensed staff may help with does not include injections.
Who can help with a complaint about assisted living in Idaho?
Idaho's Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, part of the Idaho Commission on Aging, protects the rights of assisted living and nursing facility residents, investigates complaints and can be reached at (208) 334-3833 or (877) 471-2777.
Does Medicaid pay for assisted living in Idaho?
Idaho Medicaid's Aged and Disabled waiver can pay for adult residential care services in a licensed residential assisted living facility, but its payment does not include room and board. Participants must need nursing facility level of care, and people who apply after the waiver maximum is reached go on a waiting list until the next waiver year.
Sources
- Idaho Department of Health and Welfare: Residential Assisted Living Facilities (RALF) (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Idaho Admin. Code 16.03.22.216, .217 and .305, Requirements for resident admissions; termination of admission agreement; licensed nursing assessment (official copy at adminrules.idaho.gov), 2026 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Idaho Code 39-3316, Resident rights (Idaho Legislature, Internet Archive copy of the official page saved June 6, 2026), 2026 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Idaho Code 39-3313, Admission agreements (Idaho Legislature, Internet Archive copy of the official page saved June 6, 2026), 2026 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Idaho Code 39-3308, Assessment (Idaho Legislature, Internet Archive copy of the official page saved June 6, 2026), 2026 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Idaho Code 39-3315, Admission records (Idaho Legislature, Internet Archive copy of the official page saved June 6, 2026), 2026 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Idaho Admin. Code 16.03.22.335, Requirements for infection control (official copy at adminrules.idaho.gov), 2026 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Idaho Admin. Code 16.03.22.010 and .645, Definitions; assistance with medications (official copy at adminrules.idaho.gov), 2026 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Idaho Admin. Code 24.34.01.200, Practice standards (Rules of the Idaho Board of Nursing, official copy at adminrules.idaho.gov), 2023 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Idaho Admin. Code 16.03.22.010, .250 and .625, Definitions; building and physical standards; orientation training (official copy at adminrules.idaho.gov), 2026 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Idaho Commission on Aging: Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Idaho Admin. Code 16.03.26.541 and .542, A&D waiver services eligibility; coverage and limitations (official copy at adminrules.idaho.gov), 2026 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Idaho Code 39-3302, Definitions (Idaho Legislature, Internet Archive copy of the official page saved June 6, 2026), 2026 (checked October 22, 2026)
- CareScout: Cost of Care Survey 2025, Ranked Median Costs by State (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)