Before you trust any Puget Sound community or adult family home with a parent, check its DSHS license and inspection history. Here's exactly how — it's free and takes minutes.
By Diane Whitfield, CSA · June 16, 2026
A facility's DSHS license tells you what it can legally do and how long your parent can stay. Washington assisted living is licensed under RCW 18.20 and WAC 388-78A; adult family homes under RCW 70.128 and WAC 388-76 (up to six residents); and nursing homes under RCW 18.51 and WAC 388-97. Endorsements such as Specialized Dementia Care let a community or home keep a resident as dementia progresses — without one, a parent who develops those needs may have to move.
Go to the official DSHS provider lookup at fortress.wa.gov/dshs/adsaapps/lookup, search the facility or adult family home by name or city, and review its license type, status, endorsements, capacity, and inspection and enforcement history. Recent or repeated enforcement actions, or a conditional license, are serious warning signs worth asking about directly.
Confirm the license is active and clean before signing anything, and ask the provider to explain any deficiency you see. Reputable Puget Sound communities and adult family homes expect this and answer openly; reluctance is itself information.
A free advisor checks DSHS licensing for every community and home before recommending it — and will tell you which local providers have concerning records.
Free, no-pressure call. We work for families, not facilities.