Division of Long Term Care Services

Ruthanne Risser — Acting Director

State law requires that all nursing homes to obtain a license to operate in Virginia and each nursing home may seek federal certification from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. There are nearly 300 licensed nursing homes containing over 32,000 beds, with all but eight are certified for federal reimbursement under Medicare and Medicaid.

Nursing homes are inspected every 2 years under state licensure and certified nursing facilities are surveyed on an average of every 12 months under Medicare/Medicaid certification. (more)

The Office of Licensure and Certification also conducts federal surveys Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID), but does not license these facilities under state law. Questions about the licensure of ICF/IIDs should be directed to the Division of Licensing in the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, which is the agency tasked with state licensure oversight for ICF/IIDs.

The Office of Licensure and Certification does not license assisted living facilities (ALFs) and ALFs are not eligible for Medicare or Medicaid certification. All questions regarding ALFs should be directed to the Division of Licensing Programs in the Department of Social Services, which is the agency tasked with state licensure oversight for ALFs