Where can I look up a Virginia assisted living facility's license?
The Virginia Department of Social Services publishes every licensed assisted living facility on its free Assisted Living Facility Search; search by name, locality or ZIP code and open the facility to see its license type and expiration, capacity, care levels, administrator and inspection history.
Use the locality filter for Richmond City, Henrico, Chesterfield or Hanover rather than the ZIP code alone, because many suburban facilities have Richmond mailing addresses. If a place calls itself assisted living and does not appear at all, ask why; caring for four or more adults with 24-hour supervision requires a license under Va. Code § 63.2-100.
| The VDSS record shows | It does not show | |
|---|---|---|
| License | Term, expiration, capacity, care levels | Accreditations or awards |
| Quality | Inspections, violations, standards cited | A star rating -- Virginia does not rate assisted living |
| Cost | Nothing | Prices -- ask for a written rate sheet |
What do the license terms on a VDSS record mean?
A license marked 1YR, 2YR or 3YR is a regular license issued for that period to a facility found in substantial compliance; COND is a conditional license for a new facility proving compliance, and a provisional license can follow when a licensee temporarily cannot comply.
A regular license is issued for 12 months or more to a facility found in substantial compliance; the actual period is printed on the license (22VAC40-80). VDSS's public search shows the term (for example 1YR, 2YR or 3YR) and the expiration date. A conditional license can be issued to a new facility, and a provisional license when a licensee is temporarily unable to substantially comply.
Assisted living facilities holding a one-, two- or three-year license are inspected at least once a year, unannounced; facilities on a six-month license are inspected at least twice in that period, at least once unannounced (22VAC40-80).
How do I read VDSS inspection results for a Richmond facility?
Each inspection on the facility record shows its date, whether it was complaint-related and whether violations were found; opening it shows the areas reviewed, each standard cited with the inspector's description of the evidence, and any technical assistance given.
VDSS posts inspection results to its public website within five business days of the facility receiving the inspection summary or violation notice, and the most recent inspection findings must be posted inside the facility.
- Look at the last two to three years, not one visit.
- Notice repeat citations of the same standard -- medication administration, staffing and service plans are common themes.
- Complaint-related inspections that found no violation still tell you what families were worried about.
- Ask the administrator for the plan of correction for any recent violation; VDSS notes plans are not posted online.
Where are Richmond nursing homes checked instead?
Nursing homes are licensed by the Virginia Department of Health and certified by CMS, so their inspections and official star ratings are on Medicare Care Compare, not on the VDSS assisted living search.
Our nursing home directory reproduces CMS's overall, health inspection and staffing ratings with the CMS data date so you can sort the region's homes in one place.
Last verified: October 2026
Source: VDSS Assisted Living Facility Search
Source: 22VAC40-80 General Procedures
