Information to Help You Make an Informed Choice

Texas Type A vs. Type B Assisted Living

Texas assisted living license types reflect residents’ evacuation abilities and nighttime needs. They are not quality ratings. A small residential home may hold either type of license.

Individual assessment and applicable admission and retention rules still matter. Ask the provider: What license do you hold? Can your staff meet this person’s mobility, transfer, nighttime, and emergency evacuation needs? What changes might require another setting?

When Does a Care Home Need a License in Texas?

Texas generally requires an assisted living license when an establishment provides food and shelter to four or more people unrelated to the owner and provides personal care or qualifying medication administration. Exceptions and other laws may apply. Serving fewer than four people does not, by itself, establish that a home is safe or free of other requirements. Confirm a specific operation’s status with Texas HHSC.

Licensed facilities have requirements relating to resident assessment and services, staff qualifications and training, resident rights, emergency planning, and life safety. A license does not guarantee that a particular provider can meet every resident’s needs. Review current records and ask how the provider addresses problems.

What Training Does Texas Require for Assisted Living Staff?

This is a family overview, not a complete provider compliance checklist. Requirements depend on staff duties and whether the facility has Alzheimer’s certification.

• General orientation: All staff must complete four hours before assuming job responsibilities. Subjects include resident rights, abuse and neglect reporting, confidentiality, infection precautions, and emergency procedures.
• Attendant training: Attendants must complete 16 hours of supervised on-the-job training within the first 16 hours of employment following orientation.
• Continuing education: Direct care staff must complete six documented hours annually. Licensed nurses, certified nurse aides, and medication aides also have role-appropriate in-service requirements.
• Dementia care in facilities without Alzheimer’s certification: Applicable rules include four hours of training and a competency evaluation before providing personal care services, plus continuing education. Managers and staff with recurring incidental resident contact have requirements too.
• Certified Alzheimer’s facilities and units: Additional dementia-specific orientation, supervised training, and annual education requirements apply. Ask the provider to explain the requirements for each staff role and show how training is documented.

A caregiver job title does not establish nursing qualifications. Ask who performs medication administration, nursing tasks, and delegated services, and what qualifications or authorization those duties require.

Last reviewed October 16, 2026. Use the current Texas rules and HHSC guidance for operational decisions.

Questions to Take on a Care Home Tour

Tick off each question as you go. You can print this list or keep it open on your phone during visits.

Trusted Starting Points