The path to overseeing a residential care community in Texas begins with a formal designation. The state mandates specific educational and training requirements for the person in charge to ensure they possess the necessary knowledge of state regulations, resident care standards, and facility management. To legally operate, the Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) requires every assisted living location to designate a qualified manager who has met these standards. The following steps detail the procedure for becoming an Assisted Living Manager (ALM) in the state.
Defining the Assisted Living Manager Role in Texas
The Assisted Living Manager (ALM) serves as the primary authority figure and operational leader within a residential care setting. This position is responsible for the day-to-day welfare of residents, staff conduct, and the financial stability of the community. Managers must ensure that facility operations strictly align with the licensing standards set forth in the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Title 40, which governs assisted living facilities.
Key duties include supervising personal care services and medication administration, managing facility personnel, and overseeing meal preparation and maintenance of the physical plant. The manager interacts with state regulators during inspections and is accountable for maintaining compliance. Formal designation of an ALM is a regulatory requirement for any establishment that furnishes food, shelter, and personal care services to four or more unrelated individuals.
Meeting the Education and Training Requirements
The educational background required for an Assisted Living Manager varies depending on the size of the facility. Small facilities, accommodating 16 or fewer residents, require the manager to have a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) certification. Large facilities, housing 17 or more residents, require the manager to possess an associate’s degree in a related field like nursing or healthcare management.
Alternatively, a large facility manager may qualify with a high school diploma or GED if they have at least one year of experience working in management or the healthcare industry. All new managers, regardless of facility size, must complete a mandatory 24-hour Assisted Living Facility Manager Training course through an HHS-approved provider.
Mandatory Training Components
This training is split into two parts:
Eight hours focused on Texas assisted living standards, which must be completed within the first 90 days of employment.
Sixteen hours covering administrative and care topics, which must be completed within the first year.
The curriculum provides instruction on resident rights, service planning, medication management practices, financial management, and community resources. It also covers federal laws that apply to residents, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act. This training must be formalized and cannot be satisfied through internal facility in-service programs.
Submitting the Official License Application
The process for becoming an Assisted Living Manager is administrative, as Texas does not issue a separate personal license to the manager. The crucial step is the formal designation by the facility operator and the completion of all prerequisite administrative clearances. The facility must formally notify the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) of the manager’s designation and maintain the manager’s training and education records on site.
A mandatory administrative step is the completion of a criminal background check, required for any employee who will have direct contact with residents. This screening involves fingerprinting and a review of the applicant’s criminal history under the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 250. A clear background check is required for the manager to be designated and legally assume operational authority within the facility.
Preparing for and Passing the Licensing Examination
The state does not administer a single licensing examination, but managers must pass several competency evaluations to validate their training. The final component of the mandatory 24-hour training course is a comprehensive assessment that tests the manager’s retention of the curriculum material. Successful completion of this evaluation, confirmed by a certificate from the approved training provider, is the final step in meeting the educational requirement.
Managers and all staff must also complete and pass a separate, mandatory Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation (ANE) Competency Final Test. This evaluation is often administered as an online, computer-based test through the HHS Learning Portal and requires a minimum score of 80 percent to pass. This competency test ensures the manager understands their legal obligation to report abuse and their role in protecting vulnerable residents.
Facility Classifications and License Scope
The regulatory scope of an Assisted Living Manager is defined by the specific classification of the facility they oversee. Classification is based on the residents’ physical and cognitive ability to evacuate during an emergency. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission recognizes two primary types of facilities, Type A and Type B, and the manager must operate within the parameters of that designation.
Type A vs. Type B Facilities
Type A facilities are designed for residents who are mentally and physically capable of evacuating independently and do not require routine attendance during sleeping hours. Type B facilities cater to residents who may require staff assistance to evacuate or may not be capable of following directions in an emergency. A manager in a Type B facility must ensure a higher level of staffing and specialized infrastructure to support residents with greater care needs.
Renewing and Maintaining Your License
Once the initial training requirements are fulfilled, the manager must engage in continuous education to maintain their qualification and up-to-date knowledge of evolving regulations. After the first year of employment, the manager must complete 12 hours of annual Continuing Education (CE).
These CE courses must cover at least two of the following areas:
Resident rights and responsibilities.
Basic principles of management.
Resident characteristics and needs.
Financial management.
Additionally, managers are required to complete an annual computer-based training provided by HHSC, which typically focuses on specific topics such as aging in place and retaliation policies. Although the facility license is renewed biennially, the manager’s CE requirement is an ongoing annual mandate.