In New Jersey, the license families see for assisted living is "Assisted Living Residence (ALR)", issued by the New Jersey Department of Health, Certificate of Need and Licensing Program. A physician, advanced practice nurse or physician assistant must state in writing, within 30 days before admission, that the resident is appropriate for assisted living. The facility must give written notice at least 30 days before an involuntary discharge, with the reason and the resident's right to appeal, and may act only on grounds in its own policies.
Key facts
- The median monthly cost of assisted living in New Jersey was $8,710 in CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey, or $104,520 a year, $2,510 above the national median of $6,200 a month. (CareScout, 2026)
- NJ FamilyCare's Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) can pay for services in assisted living residences and comprehensive personal care homes for people who need nursing home level care and meet financial limits. (New Jersey Department of Human Services, 2026)
- New Jersey's assisted living rules do not list a TB test for new residents, but they require a two-step Mantoux TB skin test for each new employee, with limited exceptions. (N.J.A.C. 8, 2022)
- A registered nurse is responsible for giving medications and may delegate this to certified medication aides, who may give pre-drawn, packaged and labeled insulin but no other injections. (N.J.A.C. 8, 2022)
- A facility that advertises an Alzheimer's or dementia program must have written policies open to the public, with admission and discharge criteria based on a registered nurse's assessment. (N.J.A.C. 8, 2022)
New Jersey calls assisted living an assisted living residence (ALR). The Department of Health licenses ALRs, comprehensive personal care homes (room and board with units for up to two residents) and assisted living programs (services in subsidized housing) under N.J.A.C. 8:36, and the facts below cover that chapter. Dementia care homes are a separate license under N.J.A.C. 8:37.
Rules change and communities can set stricter policies. Before you sign, confirm the details with the community and the New Jersey Department of Health, Certificate of Need and Licensing Program. This page is general information, not legal advice.
The rules at a glance
| Medical assessment before move-in | A physician, advanced practice nurse or physician assistant must state in writing, within 30 days before admission, that the resident is appropriate for assisted living. On admission a registered nurse must also do an initial assessment, and, depending on the results, a service plan or a nurse's health care assessment is due within 14 days. [3][4] More on this |
|---|---|
| TB test | New Jersey's assisted living rules do not list a TB test for new residents, but they require a two-step Mantoux TB skin test for each new employee, with limited exceptions. The rules also require annual employee TB tests under the facility's written policies. [5] More on this |
| Notice before a move-out | The facility must give written notice at least 30 days before an involuntary discharge, with the reason and the resident's right to appeal, and may act only on grounds in its own policies. The 30 days does not apply in an emergency threatening life or safety, or when the resident meets higher-care criteria such as needing 24-hour nursing supervision. [6][7] More on this |
| Who may give medications | A registered nurse is responsible for giving medications and may delegate this to certified medication aides, who may give pre-drawn, packaged and labeled insulin but no other injections. Other designated staff, trained by a nurse or pharmacist, may supervise residents taking their own medicines. [8][9] More on this |
| Memory care and dementia | A facility that advertises an Alzheimer's or dementia program must have written policies open to the public, with admission and discharge criteria based on a registered nurse's assessment. It must train direct care staff in dementia care and give anyone seeking placement a written list of dementia activities and safety policies. [10][11][12] |
| Long-term care ombudsman | New Jersey's Long-Term Care Ombudsman handles complaints from residents of assisted living residences, comprehensive personal care homes and assisted living programs and can be reached at 1-877-582-6995. [13] Official page More on this |
| Medicaid help | NJ FamilyCare's Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) can pay for services in assisted living residences and comprehensive personal care homes for people who need nursing home level care and meet financial limits. Medicaid does not pay room and board, which residents pay from income ($996.40 a month is the state standard in 2026). [14][15][16] Official page More on this |
What assisted living costs in New Jersey
The median monthly cost of assisted living in New Jersey was $8,710 in CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey, or $104,520 a year, $2,510 above the national median of $6,200 a month. [18]
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 New Jersey
The Department of Health's Long Term Care Facilities Search shows each assisted living residence's license number, license expiration date, administrator, owner and licensed beds. Care complaints can go to the Department's 24-hour hotline at 1-800-792-9770. Search New Jersey's records. [2][1]
The licensing agency: New Jersey Department of Health, Certificate of Need and Licensing Program. [1][17] Our guide on how to read an inspection report explains what to look for.
Put New Jersey'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 New Jersey?
The median monthly cost of assisted living in New Jersey was $8,710 in CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey, or $104,520 a year, $2,510 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 New Jersey require before moving into assisted living?
A physician, advanced practice nurse or physician assistant must state in writing, within 30 days before admission, that the resident is appropriate for assisted living. On admission a registered nurse must also do an initial assessment, and, depending on the results, a service plan or a nurse's health care assessment is due within 14 days.
Does New Jersey require a TB test for assisted living?
New Jersey's assisted living rules do not list a TB test for new residents, but they require a two-step Mantoux TB skin test for each new employee, with limited exceptions. The rules also require annual employee TB tests under the facility's written policies.
How much notice must an assisted living community in New Jersey give before a move-out?
The facility must give written notice at least 30 days before an involuntary discharge, with the reason and the resident's right to appeal, and may act only on grounds in its own policies. The 30 days does not apply in an emergency threatening life or safety, or when the resident meets higher-care criteria such as needing 24-hour nursing supervision.
Who can give medications in assisted living in New Jersey?
A registered nurse is responsible for giving medications and may delegate this to certified medication aides, who may give pre-drawn, packaged and labeled insulin but no other injections. Other designated staff, trained by a nurse or pharmacist, may supervise residents taking their own medicines.
Who can help with a complaint about assisted living in New Jersey?
New Jersey's Long-Term Care Ombudsman handles complaints from residents of assisted living residences, comprehensive personal care homes and assisted living programs and can be reached at 1-877-582-6995.
Does Medicaid pay for assisted living in New Jersey?
NJ FamilyCare's Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) can pay for services in assisted living residences and comprehensive personal care homes for people who need nursing home level care and meet financial limits. Medicaid does not pay room and board, which residents pay from income ($996.40 a month is the state standard in 2026).
Sources
- New Jersey Department of Health: Health Facilities (2025) (checked October 22, 2026)
- New Jersey Department of Health: Long Term Care Facilities Search (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- N.J.A.C. 8:36-7.2, Health care assessment and health service plan (via Cornell LII), 2022 (checked October 22, 2026)
- N.J.A.C. 8:36-7.1, Initial assessments and resident service plans (via Cornell LII), 2022 (checked October 22, 2026)
- N.J.A.C. 8:36-18.4, Employee health and resident policies and procedures for infection prevention and control (via Cornell LII), 2022 (checked October 22, 2026)
- N.J.A.C. 8:36-5.14, Involuntary discharge (via Cornell LII), 2022 (checked October 22, 2026)
- N.J.A.C. 8:36-5.1, Types of services provided to residents (via Cornell LII), 2022 (checked October 22, 2026)
- N.J.A.C. 8:36-11.5, Certified Medication Aide Program (via Cornell LII), 2022 (checked October 22, 2026)
- N.J.A.C. 8:36-11.3, Supervision of medication administration (via Cornell LII), 2022 (checked October 22, 2026)
- N.J.A.C. 8:36-19.2, Alzheimer's/dementia program policies and procedures (via Cornell LII), 2022 (checked October 22, 2026)
- N.J.A.C. 8:36-19.3, Staff training program for Alzheimer's disease and dementia (via Cornell LII), 2022 (checked October 22, 2026)
- N.J.A.C. 8:36-19.4, Services for residents with Alzheimer's/dementia (via Cornell LII), 2022 (checked October 22, 2026)
- New Jersey Long-Term Care Ombudsman: Contact Us (2025) (checked October 22, 2026)
- New Jersey Department of Human Services: Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) Application Guidance (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- New Jersey Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services: Medicaid Communication No. 18-10, Pre-eligibility Medical Expenses for Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities (2021) (checked October 22, 2026)
- New Jersey Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services: Medicaid Communication No. 26-01, 2026 Income and Resource Standards and Rates for Home and Community Based Services (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- N.J.A.C. 8:36-1.3, Definitions (via Cornell LII), 2025 (checked October 22, 2026)
- CareScout: Cost of Care Survey 2025, Ranked Median Costs by State (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)