In Minnesota, the license families see for assisted living is "Assisted Living Facility (ALF)", issued by the Minnesota Department of Health, Health Regulation Division, Assisted Living Licensure. Before a person signs the contract or moves in, whichever is earlier, a registered nurse must assess their physical and cognitive needs and propose a temporary service plan, in person unless distance or urgent need allows a remote assessment. A facility may end an assisted living contract only for nonpayment, an uncured contract violation, or an expedited reason such as conduct that substantially interferes with others' safety, and it must first meet with the resident.
Key facts
- The median monthly cost of assisted living in Minnesota was $6,572 in CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey, or $78,870 a year, $372 above the national median of $6,200 a month. (CareScout, 2026)
- The Elderly Waiver, part of Minnesota's Medical Assistance program, can pay for services in an assisted living facility enrolled with the Department of Human Services, but not all facilities accept it and some limit how many Elderly Waiver residents they serve. (Minnesota Department of Human Services, 2026)
- Minnesota's assisted living law does not list a tuberculosis test for new residents. (Minn. Stat. 144G.42, subd. 9, 2025)
- Medications may be given by a nurse, physician or other licensed practitioner, or by unlicensed staff to whom a registered nurse has delegated the task after training them and writing instructions for each resident. (Minn. Stat. 144G.71, subds. 6 and 7, 2025)
- A facility that advertises specialized dementia care, or has a secured dementia care unit, must hold a separate Assisted Living Facility with Dementia Care license. (Minn. Stat. 144G.08, subd. 8, 2025)
Minnesota licenses assisted living facilities (ALFs) through the Minnesota Department of Health under Minnesota Statutes chapter 144G and Minnesota Rules chapter 4659, and licensing has been required since August 1, 2021. A facility that promotes specialized dementia care or has a secured dementia care unit needs a separate Assisted Living Facility with Dementia Care license, and the facts below cover the main ALF license, with dementia care in its own fact.
Rules change and communities can set stricter policies. Before you sign, confirm the details with the community and the Minnesota Department of Health, Health Regulation Division, Assisted Living Licensure. This page is general information, not legal advice.
The rules at a glance
| Medical assessment before move-in | Before a person signs the contract or moves in, whichever is earlier, a registered nurse must assess their physical and cognitive needs and propose a temporary service plan, in person unless distance or urgent need allows a remote assessment. People who get only basic help, such as bathing or medication reminders, get a facility review within 30 days instead. [5][6] More on this |
|---|---|
| TB test | Minnesota's assisted living law does not list a tuberculosis test for new residents. Each facility must instead run a TB infection control program that follows CDC guidelines and covers its employees, contractors, students and regularly scheduled volunteers. [7] More on this |
| Notice before a move-out | A facility may end an assisted living contract only for nonpayment, an uncured contract violation, or an expedited reason such as conduct that substantially interferes with others' safety, and it must first meet with the resident. Written notice is required at least 30 days before the end date, or 15 days for expedited terminations, and the resident may appeal. [8][9] More on this |
| Who may give medications | Medications may be given by a nurse, physician or other licensed practitioner, or by unlicensed staff to whom a registered nurse has delegated the task after training them and writing instructions for each resident. The assisted living law does not mention insulin or injections specifically. [10][11] More on this |
| Memory care and dementia | A facility that advertises specialized dementia care, or has a secured dementia care unit, must hold a separate Assisted Living Facility with Dementia Care license. A secured unit needs an awake person physically present 24 hours a day, and only dementia-trained staff may be assigned to care for residents with dementia. [12][13][14] |
| Long-term care ombudsman | Minnesota's Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care covers licensed assisted living facilities and takes concerns about long-term care services at 1-800-657-3591 or 651-431-2555, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM. [15][16][17] Official page More on this |
| Medicaid help | The Elderly Waiver, part of Minnesota's Medical Assistance program, can pay for services in an assisted living facility enrolled with the Department of Human Services, but not all facilities accept it and some limit how many Elderly Waiver residents they serve. It does not pay room and board, which residents pay themselves, though some qualify for Housing Support. [17][18] Official page More on this |
What assisted living costs in Minnesota
The median monthly cost of assisted living in Minnesota was $6,572 in CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey, or $78,870 a year, $372 above the national median of $6,200 a month. [19]
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 Minnesota
Families can search the Minnesota Department of Health's Health Care Provider Evaluation and Investigation Results page for survey and investigation findings on assisted living facilities, and the state's Assisted Living Report Card shows quality ratings. Suspected abuse or neglect goes to the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center at 844-880-1574. Search Minnesota's records. [2][3][4]
The licensing agency: Minnesota Department of Health, Health Regulation Division, Assisted Living Licensure. [1] Our guide on how to read an inspection report explains what to look for.
Put Minnesota'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 Minnesota?
The median monthly cost of assisted living in Minnesota was $6,572 in CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey, or $78,870 a year, $372 above 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 Minnesota require before moving into assisted living?
Before a person signs the contract or moves in, whichever is earlier, a registered nurse must assess their physical and cognitive needs and propose a temporary service plan, in person unless distance or urgent need allows a remote assessment. People who get only basic help, such as bathing or medication reminders, get a facility review within 30 days instead.
Does Minnesota require a TB test for assisted living?
Minnesota's assisted living law does not list a tuberculosis test for new residents. Each facility must instead run a TB infection control program that follows CDC guidelines and covers its employees, contractors, students and regularly scheduled volunteers.
How much notice must an assisted living community in Minnesota give before a move-out?
A facility may end an assisted living contract only for nonpayment, an uncured contract violation, or an expedited reason such as conduct that substantially interferes with others' safety, and it must first meet with the resident. Written notice is required at least 30 days before the end date, or 15 days for expedited terminations, and the resident may appeal.
Who can give medications in assisted living in Minnesota?
Medications may be given by a nurse, physician or other licensed practitioner, or by unlicensed staff to whom a registered nurse has delegated the task after training them and writing instructions for each resident. The assisted living law does not mention insulin or injections specifically.
Who can help with a complaint about assisted living in Minnesota?
Minnesota's Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care covers licensed assisted living facilities and takes concerns about long-term care services at 1-800-657-3591 or 651-431-2555, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM.
Does Medicaid pay for assisted living in Minnesota?
The Elderly Waiver, part of Minnesota's Medical Assistance program, can pay for services in an assisted living facility enrolled with the Department of Human Services, but not all facilities accept it and some limit how many Elderly Waiver residents they serve. It does not pay room and board, which residents pay themselves, though some qualify for Housing Support.
Sources
- Minnesota Department of Health: Assisted Living Licensure (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Minnesota Department of Health: Health Care Provider Evaluation and Investigation Results (2025) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Minnesota Department of Human Services: Minnesota Assisted Living Report Card (n.d.) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Health Facility Complaints: Filing a Complaint Against a Facility (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Minn. Stat. 144G.70, subd. 2, Initial reviews, assessments, and monitoring (Office of the Revisor of Statutes), 2025 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Minn. R. 4659.0140, Initial Assessments and Continuing Assessments (Office of the Revisor of Statutes), 2021 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Minn. Stat. 144G.42, subd. 9, Tuberculosis prevention and control (Office of the Revisor of Statutes), 2025 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Minn. Stat. 144G.52, Assisted living contract terminations (Office of the Revisor of Statutes), 2025 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Minn. Stat. 144G.54, Appeals of contract terminations (Office of the Revisor of Statutes), 2025 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Minn. Stat. 144G.71, subds. 6 and 7, Medication management (Office of the Revisor of Statutes), 2025 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Minn. Stat. 144G.62, subd. 2, Delegation of assisted living services (Office of the Revisor of Statutes), 2025 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Minn. Stat. 144G.08, subd. 8, Assisted living facility with dementia care (Office of the Revisor of Statutes), 2025 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Minn. Stat. 144G.81, subd. 4, Awake staff requirement (Office of the Revisor of Statutes), 2025 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Minn. Stat. 144G.83, subd. 1, Additional training requirements for assisted living facilities with dementia care (Office of the Revisor of Statutes), 2025 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Minnesota Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care: Contact Us (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Minn. Stat. 256.9741, subd. 1, Long-term care facility definition (Office of the Revisor of Statutes), 2025 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Minnesota Department of Human Services: Elderly Waiver services in assisted living, What you need to know (DHS-7935-ENG 9-26), 2026 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Minn. Stat. 256S.17, Costs excluded from elderly waiver service rates (Office of the Revisor of Statutes), 2025 (checked October 22, 2026)
- CareScout: Cost of Care Survey 2025, Ranked Median Costs by State (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)