In West Virginia, the license families see for assisted living is "Assisted Living Residence (ALR)", issued by the West Virginia Office of Inspector General, Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification (OHFLAC). Each resident must have a written, signed, dated health assessment by a physician or other licensed health care professional, done no more than 60 days before admission or within five working days after, and yearly after that. The residence must give 30 days' written notice before discharging a resident, unless an emergency requires transfer to a hospital or higher level of care or the resident is a danger to himself, herself or others.
Key facts
- The median monthly cost of assisted living in West Virginia was $6,340 in CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey, or $76,080 a year, $140 above the national median of $6,200 a month. (CareScout, 2026)
- West Virginia Medicaid generally does not pay for care services in assisted living residences: the Aged and Disabled Waiver does not allow services there, and Medicaid personal care may be provided there only in limited cases. (WV Bureau for Medical Services, 2026)
- The admission and annual health assessments must include screening for tuberculosis and other communicable diseases if indicated by exposure, prevalence or risk under current medical practice. (W. Va. Code R. 71-21-6.3, 2026)
- Licensed health care professionals, or approved medication assistive personnel (AMAPs) who are trained, tested and supervised by a registered nurse, may give residents their medications. (W. Va. Code R. 71-17-9, 2026)
- A facility that runs an Alzheimer's special care unit or program must give a written disclosure of its staffing, admission and discharge steps, design, activities and costs to the state and to anyone seeking placement. (W. Va. Code 16B-11-4, 2024)
West Virginia calls assisted living an assisted living residence (ALR), a place for four or more residents who need personal assistance or supervision and no more than limited and intermittent nursing care. The Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification (OHFLAC), part of the Office of Inspector General, licenses ALRs under W. Va. Code 16B-5 and Legislative Rule 71 CSR 21 (formerly 64 CSR 14, moved in 2025). Residential care communities are licensed separately, and the facts below cover assisted living residences.
Rules change and communities can set stricter policies. Before you sign, confirm the details with the community and the West Virginia Office of Inspector General, Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification (OHFLAC). This page is general information, not legal advice.
The rules at a glance
| Medical assessment before move-in | Each resident must have a written, signed, dated health assessment by a physician or other licensed health care professional, done no more than 60 days before admission or within five working days after, and yearly after that. A licensed professional must also complete a functional needs assessment within five days of admission. [4] More on this |
|---|---|
| TB test | The admission and annual health assessments must include screening for tuberculosis and other communicable diseases if indicated by exposure, prevalence or risk under current medical practice. The rule does not name a specific TB test. [4] More on this |
| Notice before a move-out | The residence must give 30 days' written notice before discharging a resident, unless an emergency requires transfer to a hospital or higher level of care or the resident is a danger to himself, herself or others. It must tell the resident in writing when needs exceed what it can provide, and help find another placement. [5][6] More on this |
| Who may give medications | Licensed health care professionals, or approved medication assistive personnel (AMAPs) who are trained, tested and supervised by a registered nurse, may give residents their medications. AMAPs may not give injections, except prefilled insulin or insulin pens, which they may give in assisted living. [8][7] More on this |
| Memory care and dementia | A facility that runs an Alzheimer's special care unit or program must give a written disclosure of its staffing, admission and discharge steps, design, activities and costs to the state and to anyone seeking placement. All new assisted living employees need two hours of dementia training within 15 days of hire, and yearly after that. [9][10] |
| Long-term care ombudsman | West Virginia's Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, run by Legal Aid of West Virginia, advocates for residents of assisted living, nursing homes and other long-term care homes and can be reached toll-free at 1-800-834-0598, with regional ombudsman extensions listed on its page. [11] Official page More on this |
| Medicaid help | West Virginia Medicaid generally does not pay for care services in assisted living residences: the Aged and Disabled Waiver does not allow services there, and Medicaid personal care may be provided there only in limited cases. Personal care must not duplicate services the residence is required to provide, and it does not pay for room and board. [12][13][14] Official page More on this |
What assisted living costs in West Virginia
The median monthly cost of assisted living in West Virginia was $6,340 in CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey, or $76,080 a year, $140 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 West Virginia
OHFLAC's Health Care Facility Lookup lets families search for licensed assisted living residences and view information from OHFLAC surveys, and state law directs OHFLAC to post online a list of all residences with information such as license details and investigation reports. OHFLAC can be reached at 304-558-0050. Search West Virginia's records. [2][3][1]
The licensing agency: West Virginia Office of Inspector General, Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification (OHFLAC). [1] Our guide on how to read an inspection report explains what to look for.
Put West 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 West Virginia?
The median monthly cost of assisted living in West Virginia was $6,340 in CareScout's 2025 Cost of Care Survey, or $76,080 a year, $140 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 West Virginia require before moving into assisted living?
Each resident must have a written, signed, dated health assessment by a physician or other licensed health care professional, done no more than 60 days before admission or within five working days after, and yearly after that. A licensed professional must also complete a functional needs assessment within five days of admission.
Does West Virginia require a TB test for assisted living?
The admission and annual health assessments must include screening for tuberculosis and other communicable diseases if indicated by exposure, prevalence or risk under current medical practice. The rule does not name a specific TB test.
How much notice must an assisted living community in West Virginia give before a move-out?
The residence must give 30 days' written notice before discharging a resident, unless an emergency requires transfer to a hospital or higher level of care or the resident is a danger to himself, herself or others. It must tell the resident in writing when needs exceed what it can provide, and help find another placement.
Who can give medications in assisted living in West Virginia?
Licensed health care professionals, or approved medication assistive personnel (AMAPs) who are trained, tested and supervised by a registered nurse, may give residents their medications. AMAPs may not give injections, except prefilled insulin or insulin pens, which they may give in assisted living.
Who can help with a complaint about assisted living in West Virginia?
West Virginia's Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, run by Legal Aid of West Virginia, advocates for residents of assisted living, nursing homes and other long-term care homes and can be reached toll-free at 1-800-834-0598, with regional ombudsman extensions listed on its page.
Does Medicaid pay for assisted living in West Virginia?
West Virginia Medicaid generally does not pay for care services in assisted living residences: the Aged and Disabled Waiver does not allow services there, and Medicaid personal care may be provided there only in limited cases. Personal care must not duplicate services the residence is required to provide, and it does not pay for room and board.
Sources
- West Virginia Office of Inspector General: Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- West Virginia OHFLAC: Health Care Facility Lookup (n.d.) (checked October 22, 2026)
- W. Va. Code 16B-5-3, Powers, duties, and rights of Inspector General (West Virginia Legislature), 2024 (checked October 22, 2026)
- W. Va. Code R. 71-21-6.3, Assessments and Service Plans, Assisted Living Residences (WV Secretary of State official rule, effective May 1, 2026), 2026 (checked October 22, 2026)
- W. Va. Code R. 71-21-4.7, Administrative Admission and Discharge, Assisted Living Residences (WV Secretary of State official rule, effective May 1, 2026), 2026 (checked October 22, 2026)
- W. Va. Code R. 71-21-6.1, Admission and Discharge, Assisted Living Residences (WV Secretary of State official rule, effective May 1, 2026), 2026 (checked October 22, 2026)
- W. Va. Code R. 71-21-6.4, Medications and Treatments, Assisted Living Residences (WV Secretary of State official rule, effective May 1, 2026), 2026 (checked October 22, 2026)
- W. Va. Code R. 71-17-9, Limitations on Medication Administration by Approved Medication Assistive Personnel (WV Secretary of State official rule, effective May 1, 2026), 2026 (checked October 22, 2026)
- W. Va. Code 16B-11-4, Alzheimer's special care disclosure required (West Virginia Legislature), 2024 (checked October 22, 2026)
- W. Va. Code R. 71-21-4.5, Employee Orientation and Training, Assisted Living Residences (WV Secretary of State official rule, effective May 1, 2026), 2026 (checked October 22, 2026)
- Legal Aid of West Virginia: Long-Term Care Advocacy, Ombudsman (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- WV Bureau for Medical Services: Provider Manual Chapter 501, Aged and Disabled Waiver, section 501.16 (effective June 1, 2026), 2026 (checked October 22, 2026)
- WV Bureau for Medical Services: Provider Manual Chapter 517, Personal Care Services, sections 517.22 and 517.23 (effective January 1, 2018), 2018 (checked October 22, 2026)
- West Virginia Aged and Disabled Waiver Program: program page (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)
- W. Va. Code 16B-5-2, Definitions, Assisted Living Residences (West Virginia Legislature), 2024 (checked October 22, 2026)
- WV Secretary of State: Notice of Administrative Rule Reassignment, 64 CSR 14 to 71 CSR 21 (2025) (checked October 22, 2026)
- CareScout: Cost of Care Survey 2025, Ranked Median Costs by State (2026) (checked October 22, 2026)