Community-Based Residential Facilities: Rules and Regulations
New online licensure and certification system for health and residential care providers
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) is launching the DHS DQA Provider Portal, a new system for licensure, background checks, plan reviews, and other provider applications for assisted living facilities, adult day care centers, personal care agencies, and substance use and mental health treatment programs. Licensure/certification applications and plan review materials will not be accepted electronically or postmarked as of November 22, 2025, as we transition to the new system. We will accept applications and plan review materials starting December 15, 2025. Applications must be submitted using the DHS DQA Provider Portal. To prepare for this transition and for more information, visit our webpage.
Background check applications for all users
To prepare for the transition to the new DHS DQA Provider Portal, the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) will not accept any new background check applications for entity operators, non-client residents, or other required individuals for new or renewing entity license/certification applications, or for rehabilitation review applicants as of November 22, 2025.
DQA will resume accepting background check applications on December 15, 2025, through the DHS DQA Provider Portal. To prepare for this transition and for more information, visit our webpage. Caregiver background checks completed by entities for employees and contractors are not affected by this transition.
Are you a provider for a community-based residential facility (CBRF)? We provide links to rules and regulations for operating a CBRF in Wisconsin.
CBRFs are places where five or more unrelated people live together in a community setting. Care, treatment, and services offered include room and board, supervision, and support services. It can include up to three hours of nursing care per week.
Learn more about CBRFs in Wis. Stat. ch. 50.
Learn more about facilities excluded from this definition in Wis. Stat. § 50.01(1g).
Learn more about Wisconsin administrative codes for CBRFs in Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 83.
Regulatory information
Select a link to learn more:
- Assisted Living: Home and Community-Based Services - Understand HCBS rules set by CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services).
- Carbon Monoxide Detectors (SPS 328.02(1)(c) - Learn about requirements for carbon monoxide detectors in CBRFs.
- Caregiver Programs - Learn more about caregiver programs, including background checks, feeding assistance, medication aides, and more.
- Confidentiality of Treatment Records (Wis. Admin. Code chs. DHS 92) and Patient Rights and Resolution of Patient Grievances (Wis. Admin. Code chs. DHS 94) - Find information about treatment records and patient rights for CBRF residents receiving services for mental illness, developmental disability, or substance/alcohol abuse treatment.
- Patient Rights (Wis. Stat. §§ 51.61) and Records (Wis. Stat. §§ 51.30) - Find information for CBRF residents receiving services for mental illness, developmental disability, or substance/alcohol abuse treatment.
- Waivers, Approvals, Variances, and Exceptions: Assisted Living - Learn about procedures and requirements.