In Ohio, the license families see for assisted living is "Residential Care Facility (RCF)", issued by the Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Regulatory Operations. Licensed health professionals must complete a written health assessment within 48 hours after admission, though some parts about skilled nursing care may take up to 14 days. The facility must give written notice, with the reasons and hearing rights, at least 30 days before a proposed transfer or discharge, sending the sponsor's or legal representative's copy by certified mail.
Key facts
- The median monthly cost of assisted living in Ohio was $6,102 in CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey, or $73,230 a year, $98 below the national median of $6,200 a month. (CareScout, 2026)
- Ohio's Assisted Living Medicaid Waiver Program pays for assisted living services in residential care facilities licensed by the Ohio Department of Health and certified by the Ohio Department of Aging. (Ohio Department of Aging, 2024)
- Each residential care facility must have a tuberculosis control plan, as part of its infection control program, that meets Ohio's TB standards in rule 3701-15-03. (Ohio Admin. Code 3701-16-12, 2024)
- Only a registered nurse, a physician, a licensed practical nurse with an approved medication course, or another person authorized by law may give medications. (Ohio Admin. Code 3701-16-09, 2024)
- Before a resident moves into a special care unit (Ohio's term for units such as memory care) that limits freedom of movement, a physician or other licensed health professional must find the move is needed. (Ohio Admin. Code 3701-16-08, 2024)
Ohio calls assisted living a residential care facility (RCF). The Ohio Department of Health licenses and inspects RCFs under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3721 and Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 3701-16, and some RCFs also offer limited skilled nursing care.
Rules change and communities can set stricter policies. Before you sign, confirm the details with the community and the Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Regulatory Operations. This page is general information, not legal advice.
The rules at a glance
| Medical assessment before move-in | Licensed health professionals must complete a written health assessment within 48 hours after admission, though some parts about skilled nursing care may take up to 14 days. If a resident had an assessment meeting the rule's content requirements no more than 90 days before moving in, a new initial assessment is not needed. [3] More on this |
|---|---|
| TB test | Each residential care facility must have a tuberculosis control plan, as part of its infection control program, that meets Ohio's TB standards in rule 3701-15-03. Ask the facility what TB screening its plan requires before move-in. [4] More on this |
| Notice before a move-out | The facility must give written notice, with the reasons and hearing rights, at least 30 days before a proposed transfer or discharge, sending the sponsor's or legal representative's copy by certified mail. Shorter notice is allowed if the resident has lived there under 30 days, their health has improved, or an emergency endangers health or safety. [5] More on this |
| Who may give medications | Only a registered nurse, a physician, a licensed practical nurse with an approved medication course, or another person authorized by law may give medications. Other trained staff may only help residents take their own medicines, such as reminders, opening containers and help with oral or topical medicines, and the rule does not list injections among these tasks. [6] More on this |
| Memory care and dementia | Before a resident moves into a special care unit (Ohio's term for units such as memory care) that limits freedom of movement, a physician or other licensed health professional must find the move is needed. The facility must first give its written unit policy, and no one may be placed in a secured unit based only on a diagnosis. [3] |
| Long-term care ombudsman | Ohio's Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, part of the Ohio Department of Aging, helps people in assisted living and nursing homes, including residents facing involuntary discharge, and can be reached at 1-800-282-1206. [7] Official page More on this |
| Medicaid help | Ohio's Assisted Living Medicaid Waiver Program pays for assisted living services in residential care facilities licensed by the Ohio Department of Health and certified by the Ohio Department of Aging. Participants must be able to pay the state-set monthly room and board payment (rent). [8] Official page More on this |
What assisted living costs in Ohio
The median monthly cost of assisted living in Ohio was $6,102 in CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey, or $73,230 a year, $98 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 Ohio
The Ohio Department of Aging's Long-Term Care Quality Navigator lets families search for assisted living facilities by city, zip code or name and open an overview page for each one. Search Ohio's records. [2]
The licensing agency: Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Regulatory Operations. [1] Our guide on how to read an inspection report explains what to look for.
Put Ohio'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 Ohio?
The median monthly cost of assisted living in Ohio was $6,102 in CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey, or $73,230 a year, $98 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 Ohio require before moving into assisted living?
Licensed health professionals must complete a written health assessment within 48 hours after admission, though some parts about skilled nursing care may take up to 14 days. If a resident had an assessment meeting the rule's content requirements no more than 90 days before moving in, a new initial assessment is not needed.
Does Ohio require a TB test for assisted living?
Each residential care facility must have a tuberculosis control plan, as part of its infection control program, that meets Ohio's TB standards in rule 3701-15-03. Ask the facility what TB screening its plan requires before move-in.
How much notice must an assisted living community in Ohio give before a move-out?
The facility must give written notice, with the reasons and hearing rights, at least 30 days before a proposed transfer or discharge, sending the sponsor's or legal representative's copy by certified mail. Shorter notice is allowed if the resident has lived there under 30 days, their health has improved, or an emergency endangers health or safety.
Who can give medications in assisted living in Ohio?
Only a registered nurse, a physician, a licensed practical nurse with an approved medication course, or another person authorized by law may give medications. Other trained staff may only help residents take their own medicines, such as reminders, opening containers and help with oral or topical medicines, and the rule does not list injections among these tasks.
Who can help with a complaint about assisted living in Ohio?
Ohio's Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, part of the Ohio Department of Aging, helps people in assisted living and nursing homes, including residents facing involuntary discharge, and can be reached at 1-800-282-1206.
Does Medicaid pay for assisted living in Ohio?
Ohio's Assisted Living Medicaid Waiver Program pays for assisted living services in residential care facilities licensed by the Ohio Department of Health and certified by the Ohio Department of Aging. Participants must be able to pay the state-set monthly room and board payment (rent).
Sources
- Ohio Department of Health: Residential Care Facilities - Assisted Living (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Ohio Department of Aging: Ohio's Long-Term Care Quality Navigator (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Ohio Admin. Code 3701-16-08, Resident health assessments (via Cornell LII), 2024 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Ohio Admin. Code 3701-16-12, Changes in residents' health status; incidents; infection control; tuberculosis control plan (via Cornell LII), 2024 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Ohio Admin. Code 3701-61-03, Notice and hearing request standards (via Cornell LII), 2024 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Ohio Admin. Code 3701-16-09, Personal care services; medication administration; resident medications (via Cornell LII), 2024 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Ohio Department of Aging: Long-Term Care Ombudsman, About Us (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Ohio Department of Aging: Assisted Living Medicaid Waiver Program fact sheet (2024) (checked October 22, 2026)
- CareScout: Cost of Care Survey 2025, Ranked Median Costs by State (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)