Staffing Exception Forms For Assisted Living Centers

Each licensed healthcare facility must have a minimum of two staff on duty at all times per  ARSD 44:70:03:02 General fire safety. A staffing exception for assisted living centers may be requested by completing and submitting the appropriate staffing exception form listed below. The completed form will be reviewed by the Department for potential approval.

Please click on the staffing exception below to access the appropriate form for your facility. If you are submitting your license application electronically, please complete the staffing exception section and submit it with your license application and fee.

10 beds or less – This staffing exception allows one staff person in the facility. That staff person may sleep at night if all criteria are met as outlined in ARSD 44:70:03:02.01(1). Evacuation times must be 3 minutes or less.

11 to 16 beds – This staffing exception allows one staff person in the facility. That staff person must be awake during sleeping hours and meet all criteria outlined in ARSD 44:70:03:02.01(2). Evacuation times must be 3 minutes or less.

Stand-Alone Facilities – 16 beds or less – This staffing exception allows one staff person in the facility. That staff person must be awake during sleeping hours and meet all criteria outlined in ARSD 44:70:03:02.01(3).  Building must be equipped with an automatic sprinkler system and automatic dialer to summon the local fire department. With this request evacuation times are extended to 5 minutes or less.

Assisted Living Centers Physically Attached To A Nursing Home Or Hospital –16 beds or less | 17-25 beds – This staffing exception allows one staff person in the facility. That staff person must be awake during sleeping hours and meet all criteria outlined in ARSD 44:70:03:02.01(4) and ARSD 44:70:03:02.01(5). The building must be equipped with an automatic sprinkler system and automatic dialer to summon the local fire department. With this request, evacuation times are extended to 8 minutes or less.