How to start an assisted living facility in Texas

To start an assisted living facility in Texas: form a Texas LLC ($300), pick the right license (Adult Foster Care for 1–3 residents needs none; 4+ needs a Type A or Type B ALF license at $300 + $15/bed), ready a property that meets HHSC physical standards, complete the pre-licensure training, then pass the Life Safety Code and Health surveys to get licensed.

Written by Erika Crossley, senior living operator — not an attorney · Information last verified June 2026

This is general information, not legal advice. Erika Crossley is not an attorney. Texas law here turns on your specific property, your recorded deed restrictions, your city, and your individual residents — and municipal ordinances change without notice. Every document she prepares is a first draft for review and signature by your own licensed Texas attorney before it is used with a resident. No outcome, including license approval or permit approval, is guaranteed. Do not buy a property in reliance on this page. Take it to a Texas attorney first.

The steps, in order

—Decide who you will serve — that sets your license type (Adult Foster Care, Type A, or Type B).
—Form a Texas LLC ($300) and get your EIN and background checks ($39.75/person).
—Secure a property that can be zoned and licensed — we check this for you before you commit.
—Complete the HHSC pre-licensure computer-based training.
—Submit your HHSC license application ($300 + $15/bed) with your policies and plans.
—Pass the Life Safety Code survey and the Health survey.
—Receive your license and admit residents.

You do not do this alone

Most people stall on the property and the paperwork. We handle both: we find a property that can actually be licensed, and our AI service builds your policies and procedures manual, admission agreements, emergency plan, and the full HHSC application package — the part that takes everyone else months.

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Common questions

Do I need a nursing or medical background to start one?

No. You do not need a nursing degree to own an assisted living facility in Texas, and a Type A facility is not required to have a nurse on staff. You hire qualified caregivers; you run the business.

Can I start one in my own house?

Yes — for an Adult Foster Care home (1–3 residents) you live in the home with your residents. For a larger licensed facility you need a property that meets HHSC physical-plant standards, which we help you find.

How long does it take?

It is a series of clear steps rather than a fixed clock — Adult Foster Care is the fastest path, while a licensed ALF runs through the application and two HHSC surveys. We move each step forward so you are never the bottleneck.

Related license types

Adult Foster Care →Type A ALF →Type B ALF →