# Florida ALF Staff Training and Background Screening Requirements

> Florida ALF training in tables: 26-hour administrator core training, 2-hour preservice, in-service, dementia, 6-hour medication training, Level 2 screening.

Last updated: November 7, 2026  
Canonical URL: https://d3kof0zbodw3pw.cloudfront.net/florida-alf-staff-training/

**Florida assisted living facility (ALF) staff training is set by section 429.52, Florida Statutes, and Rule 59A-36.011, Florida Administrative Code, with dementia training in section 430.5025, F.S.** Administrators need 26 hours of core training plus a competency test, new staff who have not completed core training need a preservice orientation of at least 2 hours before working with residents, unlicensed staff who help with medication need 6 hours of training first, and anyone who provides personal care or has access to residents needs Level 2 background screening through the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA).

*Last checked against primary sources on November 7, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Florida's new Memory Care Services license will add training standards once AHCA adopts its rules; see [our SB 1404 guide](https://d3kof0zbodw3pw.cloudfront.net/florida-memory-care-license/).*

## What training do Florida ALF administrators need?

**An ALF administrator must complete at least 26 hours of core training and pass a competency test (minimum score 75%) within 3 months of becoming administrator, then complete 12 hours of continuing education every 2 years.** Managers have the same requirements.

| Requirement | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Core training | At least 26 hours, plus a competency test | Rule 59A-36.011(1)(a), F.A.C. |
| Deadline | Within 3 months of becoming administrator or manager (the statute says within 90 days after employment as administrator) | Rule 59A-36.011(1)(b), F.A.C.; s. 429.52(4), F.S. |
| Passing score | 75% | Rule 59A-36.011(1)(b), F.A.C. |
| Test fee | Not more than $200, paid to the entity giving the test; a new fee each time it is taken | Rule 59A-36.011(1)(e), F.A.C. |
| Continuing education | 12 contact hours every 2 years, in topics related to assisted living | s. 429.52(5), F.S.; Rule 59A-36.011(1)(c), F.A.C. |
| Lapsed continuing education | Treated as a new administrator: must retake core training and pass the test again | Rule 59A-36.011(1)(d), F.A.C. |
| Exemption | Nursing home administrators licensed under Part II of Chapter 468, F.S. | s. 429.52(4), F.S.; Rule 59A-36.011(1)(b), F.A.C. |
| Food service | The administrator, or the person designated to supervise food service, needs 2 hours of nutrition and food service continuing education each year (some exemptions apply) | Rule 59A-36.011(7), F.A.C. |

Core training must be given by a trainer registered with AHCA (s. 429.52(10), F.S.). The core competency test must cover at least state law and rules, resident rights and abuse reporting, special needs of elderly people and people with mental illness or developmental disabilities, nutrition and food service, medication management, fire safety and emergency procedures, and care of people with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders (s. 429.52(3), F.S.).

Failing to complete core training on time is a violation subject to a fine under s. 429.19, F.S. (s. 429.52(4), F.S.).

### What extra training do specialty-licensed facilities need?

| License | Who | Training | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extended congregate care (ECC) | Administrator and ECC supervisor | Core training plus 4 hours of initial ECC training, before the ECC license is issued or within 3 months of starting; then 4 hours of continuing education every 2 years | Rule 59A-36.011(8)(a)-(b), F.A.C. |
| Extended congregate care (ECC) | Direct care staff in the ECC program | At least 2 hours of in-service training within 6 months of starting | Rule 59A-36.011(8)(c), F.A.C. |
| Limited mental health (LMH) | Administrator, managers and staff with direct contact with mental health residents | At least 6 hours of specialized training within 6 months, then at least 3 hours of continuing education every 2 years | Rule 59A-36.011(9), F.A.C. |
| Memory care services | To be set by AHCA rule | Must meet or exceed s. 430.5025, F.S.; rules not yet adopted | s. 429.076(2)(d), F.S. |

## What training do new ALF staff need before working with residents?

**Every new employee who has not completed core training must finish a preservice orientation of at least 2 hours before interacting with residents.** The orientation must cover resident rights and the facility's license type and services. The employee and the administrator both sign a statement that it was completed, and the statement goes in the personnel file (s. 429.52(1)(a), F.S.; Rule 59A-36.011(2), F.A.C.).

If an employee completes the 1-hour dementia training under s. 430.5025, F.S., before interacting with residents, it can count toward the 2 hours (s. 429.52(1)(c), F.S.).

## What in-service training do ALF staff need?

**Most ALF in-service training must be completed within 30 days of employment, and infection control training must be done before giving personal care** (Rule 59A-36.011(3), F.A.C.).

| Training | Who | Minimum | When | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infection control, universal precautions and sanitation | Direct care staff (except nurses, CNAs and home health aides trained under Rule 59A-8.0095) | 1 hour | Before providing personal care | Rule 59A-36.011(3)(a) |
| Reporting adverse incidents; emergency procedures and evacuation roles | Direct care staff | 1 hour | Within 30 days | Rule 59A-36.011(3)(b) |
| Resident rights; recognizing and reporting abuse, neglect and exploitation | Direct care staff who have not taken core training | 1 hour | Within 30 days | Rule 59A-36.011(3)(c) |
| Resident behavior and needs; assisting with activities of daily living | Direct care staff (except nurses, CNAs and home health aides trained under Rule 59A-8.0095) | 3 hours | Within 30 days | Rule 59A-36.011(3)(d) |
| Safe food handling | Staff who prepare or serve food and have not taken core training | 1 hour | Within 30 days | Rule 59A-36.011(3)(e) |
| Elopement response policies and procedures | All staff | Must demonstrate understanding and competency | Within 30 days | Rule 59A-36.011(3)(f) |
| HIV/AIDS | All employees (except those subject to s. 456.033, F.S.) | One-time course | Within 30 days | Rule 59A-36.011(4) |
| Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNRO) policies | Administrators, managers, direct care staff and admissions staff | 1 hour | Within 30 days | Rule 59A-36.011(11) |

**First aid and CPR.** A staff member with current first aid and CPR certification must be in the facility at all times. A CPR course must include an in-person skills demonstration and come from an approved provider such as the American Red Cross or American Heart Association (Rule 59A-36.011(5), F.A.C.).

## What Alzheimer's and dementia training do ALF staff need?

**Every ALF employee must receive basic written information about dementia on hire, and those who give personal care or have regular contact with residents must complete a free 1-hour Department of Elder Affairs course within 30 days.** Staff who provide personal care then need 3 more hours within 7 months. Facilities that advertise and provide specialized Alzheimer's care have shorter deadlines and an extra 4 hours plus annual continuing education (s. 430.5025(4), F.S.; s. 429.52(1)(b), F.S.).

| Training | Who | Hours | Deadline | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic written information about interacting with people with dementia | Every employee | Not specified | On starting employment | s. 430.5025(4)(a), F.S. |
| Department of Elder Affairs dementia course (online, free) | Employees who provide personal care or have regular contact with residents | 1 hour | Within 30 days of starting | s. 430.5025(4)(b), F.S. |
| Additional dementia training: behavior management, independence in daily living, working with families, activities, environment, ethics | Employees who provide personal care | 3 hours | Within 7 months of starting | s. 430.5025(4)(d), F.S. |

**If the ALF advertises and provides, or is designated to provide, specialized care for people with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia** (s. 430.5025(4)(e), F.S.):

| Training | Who | Hours | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| The 3 hours above | Employees who provide personal care or have regular contact with residents | 3 hours | Within 3 months of starting |
| Dementia-specific training: the disease and its stages, communication, medical information, stress management | Employees who provide personal care | 4 hours | Within 6 months of starting |
| Continuing education | Employees who provide personal care | At least 4 hours | Every calendar year; on-the-job training may count for no more than 2 hours |

Notes:

- "Employee" here means a person, contracted staff member or independent contractor who must undergo Level 2 background screening (s. 430.5025(2)(d), F.S.).
- An employee who has completed the training does not have to repeat it after moving to another covered provider (s. 430.5025(4)(b)3., F.S.).
- The facility must keep a record of each employee's completion of the 1-hour course (s. 430.5025(4)(b)2., F.S.).
- Employees of an ALF licensed for limited mental health are exempt from the 3-hour requirement in s. 430.5025(4)(d) (s. 429.52(1)(b), F.S.).
- Rule 59A-36.011(10), F.A.C., also applies the s. 430.5025 training to facilities that maintain secured areas under the Florida Building Code, as well as those advertising special Alzheimer's care.

## What training do unlicensed staff need to help with medication?

**Unlicensed staff must complete at least 6 hours of training from a registered nurse or licensed pharmacist before assisting residents with self-administration of medication, then 2 hours of continuing education every year** (s. 429.52(6), F.S.; Rule 59A-36.011(6), F.A.C.).

| Requirement | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Initial training | At least 6 hours, by a registered nurse or licensed pharmacist, before providing assistance | s. 429.52(6), F.S. |
| Competency | The trainer issues a certificate only after the trainee demonstrates the skills in person, physically and verbally | Rule 59A-36.011(6)(b), F.A.C. |
| Annual continuing education | At least 2 hours each year on assisting with self-administered medication and safe medication practices; may be online | Rule 59A-36.011(6)(c), F.A.C. |
| Staff trained under the older 4-hour course | 2 more hours on the newer tasks (such as prefilled insulin, nebulizers, glucometers, oxygen cannulas and CPAP, blood pressure and vital signs) before doing those tasks | Rule 59A-36.011(6)(d), F.A.C. |

Skills the trainee must demonstrate include reading a prescription label, assisting with oral, topical, eye, ear and nasal medications, measuring liquids and breaking or crushing tablets as directed, recognizing "as needed" orders that need clarification, completing a medication observation record, and recognizing and reporting adverse reactions (Rule 59A-36.011(6)(b), F.A.C.).

Before unlicensed staff assist a resident, the facility needs a documented request and written informed consent from the resident or their surrogate, guardian or attorney in fact (s. 429.256(2), F.S.).

## Who needs Level 2 background screening in a Florida ALF?

**Level 2 screening through AHCA is required for the licensee (if an individual), the administrator, the financial officer, anyone with a controlling interest, and staff or contractors who provide personal care or services to residents or have access to residents' funds, property or living areas** (s. 408.809(1), F.S.; s. 429.174, F.S.). Contractors who work 20 hours a week or more with access to residents' funds, property or living areas are included.

| Requirement | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| What Level 2 means | Fingerprint-based statewide (FDLE) and national (FBI) criminal history checks, local criminal records checks, and a search of sex offender registries | s. 435.04(1)(a), F.S. |
| Where it runs | Through AHCA's Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse | s. 408.809(1), F.S.; s. 435.12, F.S. |
| Employer registration | The employer must register with the Clearinghouse and start all checks through it before sending someone for fingerprinting | s. 435.12(2)(d), F.S. |
| Status updates | The employer must keep each person's employment status current in the Clearinghouse, reporting changes within 5 business days | s. 435.12(2)(c), F.S. |
| Rescreening | Every 5 years | s. 408.809(2), F.S. |
| Disqualifying offenses | Those in s. 435.04, F.S., plus the additional offenses listed in s. 408.809(4), F.S., such as Medicaid fraud, patient brokering and certain fraud and forgery offenses | ss. 435.04, 408.809(4), F.S. |
| Exemptions | AHCA may grant an exemption from disqualification under Chapter 435 (or the relevant Department of Health board, for licensed professionals working within their license) | s. 408.809(6), F.S. |
| Cost | Paid by the licensee or the person screened; the facility may reimburse | s. 408.809(5), F.S. |
| Records | Each personnel file must document background screening compliance | s. 429.275(2), F.S.; Rule 59A-36.015(2)(a), F.A.C. |
| Penalty | $500 fine for noncompliance with background screening requirements, regardless of class | s. 429.19(2)(e), F.S. |

## What must be in an ALF personnel file?

**Each staff personnel file must hold the employment application with references, proof of freedom from communicable disease, training and continuing education records, copies of required licenses or certifications, and background screening documentation** (Rule 59A-36.015(2), F.A.C.; s. 429.275(2), F.S.). Facilities with a licensed capacity of 17 or more residents also keep each staff member's job description, and files must show direct care staff and administrator participation in elopement drills.

Training certificates must show the course title, subject, agenda, hours, the trainee's name, dates and location, and the trainer's name, dated signature, credentials and license number if applicable (Rule 59A-36.011(12), F.A.C.).

Work schedules and staff time sheets must be kept for the most recent 6 months (Rule 59A-36.015(2)(c), F.A.C.).

## How Care Copilot helps

Training and screening gaps are easy to miss when files are checked by hand. Care Copilot is building a Florida version of its AI file audit that reads every staff file, checks each training certificate, deadline and screening record against s. 429.52, s. 430.5025, Chapter 435 and Rule 59A-36.011, and lists what is missing or late with the evidence and a due date. We are opening early access to a small group of founding Florida operators; it is not yet available in the US. [Learn about early access](https://d3kof0zbodw3pw.cloudfront.net/early-access/).

## Sources

- [Section 429.52, F.S. (2026): Staff training and educational requirements](https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0429/Sections/0429.52.html)
- [Section 430.5025, F.S. (2026): Alzheimer's disease and related forms of dementia; education and training](https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0430/Sections/0430.5025.html)
- [Section 429.256, F.S. (2026): Assistance with self-administration of medication](https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0429/Sections/0429.256.html)
- [Section 429.174, F.S. (2026): Background screening](https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0429/Sections/0429.174.html)
- [Section 408.809, F.S. (2026): Background screening; prohibited offenses](https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0408/Sections/0408.809.html)
- [Section 435.04, F.S. (2026): Level 2 screening standards](https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0435/Sections/0435.04.html)
- [Section 435.12, F.S. (2026): Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse](https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0435/Sections/0435.12.html)
- [Section 429.275, F.S. (2026): Business practice; personnel records; liability insurance](https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0429/Sections/0429.275.html)
- [Section 429.19, F.S. (2026): Violations; administrative fines](https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0429/Sections/0429.19.html)
- [Section 429.076, F.S. (2026): Memory care services license](https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0429/Sections/0429.076.html)
- [Rule 59A-36.011, F.A.C.: Staff Training Requirements and Competency Test](https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleNo.asp?id=59A-36.011)
- [Rule 59A-36.015, F.A.C.: Records](https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleNo.asp?id=59A-36.015)
- [Rule 59A-36.010, F.A.C.: Staffing Standards](https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleNo.asp?id=59A-36.010)