What is an ACLF in Tennessee?
ACLF stands for assisted-care living facility, Tennessee's legal name for assisted living. The Health Facilities Commission licenses ACLFs under rule chapter 0720-26 to provide room, board, personal care and limited medical services to primarily older residents.
“Primarily aged” means at least 51% of residents are 62 or older.
Who licenses assisted living in Memphis?
The Tennessee Health Facilities Commission (HFC), an independent state agency created by Public Chapter 1119 of 2022 from the former Health Services and Development Agency and the Department of Health's Office of Health Care Facilities.
Neither Memphis nor Shelby County issues care licenses; they regulate zoning and building codes.
Does Tennessee have different levels of assisted living licenses?
No. Tennessee issues one ACLF license. A facility that runs a locked memory care area reports secured beds within that license, and smaller non-medical residences hold a separate Home for the Aged license.
The bed report's secured-bed column is how to tell which ACLFs run a secured unit.
How often are Memphis assisted living facilities inspected?
Tennessee's ACLF rule requires an unannounced inspection within 15 months of the previous one, and more often when needed to protect residents (0720-26-.05(1)).
HFC's facility listing shows each license's date of last survey; ask the facility for the report from that visit.
Can an assisted living facility in Memphis operate without a license?
No. Operating an ACLF without the required license can draw a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for each day of operation, and admitting more residents than the licensed bed capacity is prohibited.
Report suspected unlicensed homes to HFC at 1-877-287-0010.
Does an ACLF administrator need a license in Tennessee?
Yes. Each ACLF must have an administrator certified by the state board, or a Tennessee-licensed nursing home administrator, who completes 24 classroom hours of continuing education every two years (0720-26-.03(9)).
Certification requires a background check and no conviction for abusing or neglecting a vulnerable person.
Is independent living licensed in Tennessee?
Independent living that offers housing and amenities without domiciliary care or personal services is not an ACLF; once a building provides assisted-care living services to residents, it needs an HFC license.
Retirement campuses often combine unlicensed independent living with a licensed ACLF and sometimes a nursing home.
What happens if a Tennessee ACLF misses its license renewal?
It can renew late within 60 days of expiration by paying a $100 late penalty for each month or part of a month (capped at twice the renewal fee); after 60 days it must reapply for a new license and be inspected again (0720-26-.03(4)).
HFC's listing shows each license's expiration date, which our facility pages reproduce.
Does a change of owner need a new Tennessee license?
Yes. A license covers one licensee at one location, and a change of ownership, including a lease of operations or certain mergers, requires a change-of-ownership application at least 30 days in advance (0720-26-.03(8)).
HFC orders sometimes approve a change of ownership on the condition that penalties are paid.
