In Virginia, the license families see for assisted living is "Assisted Living Facility (ALF)", issued by the Virginia Department of Social Services, Division of Licensing Programs. Within the 30 days before admission, a person must have a physical exam by an independent physician, with the report on file at the facility. A facility must give the resident a written notice with the reasons and discharge date, and copy the state and the ombudsman, at least 30 days before an involuntary discharge, except in an emergency.
Key facts
- The median monthly cost of assisted living in Virginia was $6,945 in CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey, or $83,340 a year, $745 above the national median of $6,200 a month. (CareScout, 2026)
- Virginia's CCC Plus Medicaid waiver does not cover services for residents of licensed assisted living facilities that serve five or more people. (Va. Admin. Code 12VAC30-120-905, CCC Plus Waiver description and legal authority, 2024)
- The admission physical exam report must include a TB risk assessment, on the Virginia Department of Health screening form or one consistent with it, showing the person has no tuberculosis in a communicable form. (Va. Admin. Code 22VAC40-73-320, 2018)
- Staff who give residents their medications must be licensed to do so or be registered medication aides with the Virginia Board of Nursing. (Va. Admin. Code 22VAC40-73-670, 2018)
- Before a resident with dementia who cannot recognize danger moves into a safe, secure environment (Virginia's term for a special care unit), the facility needs a written assessment by an independent psychologist or physician and written approval from the resident, guardian or a relative. (Va. Admin. Code 22VAC40-73-1090, 2018)
Virginia licenses assisted living facilities (ALFs), which care for four or more adults, through the Department of Social Services, Division of Licensing Programs, under 22VAC40-73. A facility can be licensed for residential living care (minimal help with daily activities), assisted living care (at least moderate help), or both, and one that cares for people with serious cognitive impairment must also meet extra rules. The facts below are for the ALF license.
Rules change and communities can set stricter policies. Before you sign, confirm the details with the community and the Virginia Department of Social Services, Division of Licensing Programs. This page is general information, not legal advice.
The rules at a glance
| Medical assessment before move-in | Within the 30 days before admission, a person must have a physical exam by an independent physician, with the report on file at the facility. A uniform assessment instrument (UAI) must also be completed before admission, no more than 90 days before the move. [4][5] More on this |
|---|---|
| TB test | The admission physical exam report must include a TB risk assessment, on the Virginia Department of Health screening form or one consistent with it, showing the person has no tuberculosis in a communicable form. A new risk assessment is completed for each resident every year. [4] More on this |
| Notice before a move-out | A facility must give the resident a written notice with the reasons and discharge date, and copy the state and the ombudsman, at least 30 days before an involuntary discharge, except in an emergency. Reasons include unpaid charges after a 30-day chance to cure, breaking the resident agreement, closure, or care needs the rules do not allow. [6] More on this |
| Who may give medications | Staff who give residents their medications must be licensed to do so or be registered medication aides with the Virginia Board of Nursing. Registered medication aides may give insulin by subcutaneous injection, but the Board of Nursing bars them from other injections except glucagon and auto-injectable epinephrine. [8][7] More on this |
| Memory care and dementia | Before a resident with dementia who cannot recognize danger moves into a safe, secure environment (Virginia's term for a special care unit), the facility needs a written assessment by an independent psychologist or physician and written approval from the resident, guardian or a relative. The facility must review the placement six months after the move and every year after. [9][10][11] |
| Long-term care ombudsman | Virginia's Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, part of the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, handles complaints from assisted living residents through 20 local offices and can be reached at 804-565-1600 or toll-free at 800-552-5019. [12] Official page More on this |
| Medicaid help | Virginia's CCC Plus Medicaid waiver does not cover services for residents of licensed assisted living facilities that serve five or more people. Low-income residents may qualify for the Auxiliary Grant, a state and local program that helps pay a set facility rate of up to $2,130 a month in 2026 ($2,450 in Northern Virginia), but not every facility accepts it. [13][14][15] Official page More on this |
What assisted living costs in Virginia
The median monthly cost of assisted living in Virginia was $6,945 in CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey, or $83,340 a year, $745 above the national median of $6,200 a month. [17]
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 Virginia
The Department of Social Services' Assisted Living Facility Search lets families view a facility's inspections and violations. Complaints about a licensed or unlicensed assisted living facility can be filed on the department's online complaint form. Search Virginia's records. [2][3]
The licensing agency: Virginia Department of Social Services, Division of Licensing Programs. [1][16] Our guide on how to read an inspection report explains what to look for.
Put Virginia'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 Virginia?
The median monthly cost of assisted living in Virginia was $6,945 in CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey, or $83,340 a year, $745 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 Virginia require before moving into assisted living?
Within the 30 days before admission, a person must have a physical exam by an independent physician, with the report on file at the facility. A uniform assessment instrument (UAI) must also be completed before admission, no more than 90 days before the move.
Does Virginia require a TB test for assisted living?
The admission physical exam report must include a TB risk assessment, on the Virginia Department of Health screening form or one consistent with it, showing the person has no tuberculosis in a communicable form. A new risk assessment is completed for each resident every year.
How much notice must an assisted living community in Virginia give before a move-out?
A facility must give the resident a written notice with the reasons and discharge date, and copy the state and the ombudsman, at least 30 days before an involuntary discharge, except in an emergency. Reasons include unpaid charges after a 30-day chance to cure, breaking the resident agreement, closure, or care needs the rules do not allow.
Who can give medications in assisted living in Virginia?
Staff who give residents their medications must be licensed to do so or be registered medication aides with the Virginia Board of Nursing. Registered medication aides may give insulin by subcutaneous injection, but the Board of Nursing bars them from other injections except glucagon and auto-injectable epinephrine.
Who can help with a complaint about assisted living in Virginia?
Virginia's Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, part of the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, handles complaints from assisted living residents through 20 local offices and can be reached at 804-565-1600 or toll-free at 800-552-5019.
Does Medicaid pay for assisted living in Virginia?
Virginia's CCC Plus Medicaid waiver does not cover services for residents of licensed assisted living facilities that serve five or more people. Low-income residents may qualify for the Auxiliary Grant, a state and local program that helps pay a set facility rate of up to $2,130 a month in 2026 ($2,450 in Northern Virginia), but not every facility accepts it.
Sources
- Virginia Department of Social Services: Assisted Living Facilities (ALF) (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Virginia Department of Social Services: Search Licensing Programs (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Virginia Department of Social Services: Submit a Complaint (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Va. Admin. Code 22VAC40-73-320, Physical examination and report (via Virginia Law / LIS), 2018 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Va. Admin. Code 22VAC40-73-440, Uniform assessment instrument (UAI) (via Virginia Law / LIS), 2018 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Va. Code 63.2-1805, Admissions and discharge; mandatory minimum liability insurance (via Virginia Law / LIS; last amended 2023), 2023 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Va. Admin. Code 18VAC90-60-110, Standards of practice (via Virginia Law / LIS; amended March 11, 2026), 2026 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Va. Admin. Code 22VAC40-73-670, Qualifications and supervision of staff administering medications (via Virginia Law / LIS), 2018 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Va. Admin. Code 22VAC40-73-1090, Assessment, safe secure environment (via Virginia Law / LIS), 2018 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Va. Admin. Code 22VAC40-73-1100, Approval, safe secure environment (via Virginia Law / LIS), 2018 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Va. Admin. Code 22VAC40-73-1110, Appropriateness of placement and continued residence (via Virginia Law / LIS), 2018 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services: State Long-Term Care Ombudsman (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Va. Admin. Code 12VAC30-120-905, CCC Plus Waiver description and legal authority (via Virginia Law / LIS; amended June 19, 2024), 2024 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services: Auxiliary Grant (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services: Auxiliary Grant rate letter to owners and administrators, November 10, 2025, 2025 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Va. Admin. Code 22VAC40-73-10, Definitions (via Virginia Law / LIS; amended August 14, 2024), 2024 (checked October 22, 2026)
- CareScout: Cost of Care Survey 2025, Ranked Median Costs by State (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)