Announcements
Please ensure you are using the current NH License Application (DSHS 10-670). Effective September 1, 2025, applications received with a revision date other than July 2025 (REV. 07/2025) in the bottom left-hand corner will be rejected.
Retention Toolkit Available. Providers and administrators can access free supervisory tools, online courses, and free CEs through CareLearnWA, a provider of training and resources for direct care staff. The Retention Toolkit helps supervisors and managers of direct care staff address retention issues, reduce high turnover rates, and continue providing quality care. The toolkit will be initially available to supervisors of staff who are not members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Available modules include Onboarding, Communication, Recognition, and Wellness, and a new module addressing Harassment, Abuse, and Discrimination of caregivers. Set up a free account and access the toolkit by visiting https://carelearnwa.com/.
Background checks during and after licensure:
Latest Guidance Regarding COVID-19 for Nursing Facilities
- Administrator Letters
- Applications
- Background Check
- Case Mix
- Character, Competence, and Suitability (CCS) Determination Form (DSHS 15-456)
- Citation Frequency & Related Data
- Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Funds
- CMS/CDC C-Diff Resource Toolkit
- CMS Overview: New Long-Term Care Survey Process (PowerPoint)
- CMS Partnership to Improve Dementia Care Resources
- Code of Federal Regulations
- Contact RCS
- CMS COVID-19 Focused Survey for Nursing Homes
- Direct Care Hours Per Resident Day (HPRD) Requirement
- Directory of Nursing Homes
- Disaster Preparedness Rulemaking
- DSHS Forms
- Enforcement Video
- Notice of Transfer or Discharge (DSHS 10-237)
- Opioid Abuse: Facts & Prevention Tips
- Request for an Administrative Hearing (DSHS 10-238)
- Nursing Home Information Changes (DSHS 10-603)
- Electronic Plan of Correction (ePOC)
- Emergency Preparedness
- Enforcement Charts
- FDA Recalls
- Information about FDA food, drug and other product recalls, market withdrawals and safety alerts https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts
- To receive e-mail updates of FDA recalls, market withdrawals and safety alerts, visit https://subscriberhelp.granicus.com/s/article/Subscriber-Help-Center
- Flu Information
- Health-Care Decision Making
- Hotline Poster
- Immediate Jeopardy (CMS Core Q) Guidelines Webinar
- Life Safety Code – Immediate Jeopardy
- Informal Dispute Resolution (IDR) Request Form
- Independent Informal Dispute Resolution (IIDR) Request Form
- State Process (See Section B)
- Insurance Information Requests (Word Format)
- Licensed NH Administrator Continuing Education
- Low Acuity Budget Proviso Updates / Administrator Letter
- Mandated Reporters: Understanding Your Responsibilities
- PDF Version (Brochure Format)
- Word Version (Handout Format)
- Minimum Data Set (MDS)
- Training
- Newsletters
- Clinical
- NH Rule Filings (Chapter 388-97 WAC)
- CR 103P - Permanent Rulemaking 246-843 DOH NH Administrator Licensing Requirements
- CR 103 - Permanent Rulemaking (Direct Care Hours) / Concise Explanatory Statement
- CR 101 - Proposed Rulemaking (Clinical Records)
- CR 101 – Proposed Rulemaking (Multiple Suspended/Waived During COVID)
- CR 101 - Proposed Rulemaking (Direct Care Staff - EHB 1564)
- CR 101 - Proposed Rulemaking (TB Testing)
- CR 101 - Proposed Rulemaking (Geriatric Specialty Training)
- CR 101 - Proposed Rulemaking (Background Checks)
- CR 103P - Permanent Rulemaking (Resident Assessment)
- CR 103P - Permanent Rulemaking (Appeal Rights)
- CR 105 - Expedited Rulemaking (Transfer & Discharge Appeals)
- NH Policy & Procedure Documents
- Nurse Assistant Registered (NAR) Certification Application Attestation Form
- Nursing Assistant Yearly Inservice Training CMS Memo / Resources
- Nursing Home Charts
- Nursing Home Compare
- Nursing Home Locator
- Nursing Home Informal Dispute Resolution (IDR) Guidelines (July 2022)
- Nursing Home Informal Dispute Independent (IIDR) Request (July 2024)
- Nursing Home Guidelines, aka "The Purple Book"
- Official US Medicare Site
- On-Time Quality Improvement Program Manual
- Partners in Protection: A Guide for Reporting Vulnerable Adult Abuse - DSHS 22-810(x)
- PASRR Contractors
- Qualified Dietitian, Other Clinically Qualified Nutrition Professional, and Director of Food and Nutrition Services Flow Chart for Nursing Homes
- QSEP: The Quality, Safety & Education Portal (QSEP) is an online platform, accessible on-demand 24/7 to learn what you want, where you want, when you want. QSEP provides the full curriculum of surveyor training and guidance on health care facility regulations. These trainings are accessible to the public by clicking on “Public Access” in the blue ribbon. To view NH specific trainings, click the drop down menu “Select Provider/Supplier Type” then select “SNF/NF – Skilled Nursing Facilities/Nursing Facilities”.
- RCS Standard Operating Procedures Manual
- Required Reportable Diseases and Conditions
- Resident Rights & Alternate Decision-Makers
- Restraints
- Restraint Management Guide
- Alternatives to Physical Restraints
- FDA Safety Alert: Side Rail Entrapment Hazards
- Side Rail Safety
- Surety Bond/Assignment of Time Deposit Samples
- Training for New Nursing Home Administrators
- Tuberculosis (TB) Resources
- Department of Health TB Risk Assessment and Questionnaire
- Department of Health TB Resources and Updates
- Interferon Gamma Release Assays
- Testing and Diagnosis
- Washington Administrative Code for Nursing Homes