Getting Started: Becoming an Assisted Living Manager in the State of Texas

What qualifications do Texas regulations require of an Assisted Living Manager?

In small communities (defined by the state as facilities with 16 beds and less), the manager must have proof of graduation from an accredited high school or certification of equivalency of graduation.

In large communities (defined by the state as facilities with 17 beds and more), a manager must have either:

• An associate's degree in nursing, health care management, or a related field;
• A bachelor's degree; or
• Proof of graduation from an accredited high school or certification of equivalency of graduation and at least one year of experience working in management or in health care industry management.

In an Alzheimer's Certified community, the manager must be 21 years of age, and have either:

• An associate's degree in nursing, health care management;
• A bachelor's degree in psychology, gerontology, nursing, or a related field; or
• Proof of graduation from an accredited high school or certification of equivalency of graduation and at least one year of experience working with persons with dementia.

*Please note: Texas does not mandate licensing or certification to be an Assisted Living Manager, however, you must provide evidence that you completed the required training. Evidence of training must be on file at the community and must contain documentation of content, hours, dates, and provider.

In addition to these qualifications a manager must take the 24-hour course mandated for new Assisted Living Managers by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and maintain annual continuing education hours. More information below.

24-Hour Assisted Living Manager's Course

The required 24-Hour course for new Assisted Living Manager's has two portions:

• Part 1: 8 hours of Texas Regulations (Required within the first 90 days of hire)
• Part 2: 16 hours of Administrative Overview (Required within the first year of hire)

Also, you need to take an annual HHSC required one hour training on aging in place and retaliation.

What continuing education hours do assisted living managers need?

An assisted living manager needs 12 hours of continuing education every year. The requirement starts after your first year of employment. Also, you need to take an annual HHSC required one hour training on aging in place and retaliation.

The continuing education requirement must include at least two of the following areas:

1. resident and provider rights and responsibilities, abuse and neglect, and confidentiality;
2. basic principles of management;
3. skills for working with residents, families, and other professional service providers;
4. resident characteristics and needs;
5. community resources;
6. accounting and budgeting;
7. basic emergency first aid; or
8. federal laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; and the Fair Housing Act, as amended.

If you manage an Alzheimer Certified community or unit, you need an additional 6 hours of dementia specific continuing education annually.

Specialty Training

New HHSC Rules Stemming from House Bill 1673 (88th Legislative Session)

In May of 2023, the Texas Legislature passed a bill which expanded the specific topics AL managers and staff needed to cover as part of their initial and continuing education. On September 6, 2024, HHSC published the rules for this training requirement, 26 TAC §553.254, effective December 31, 2024, as outlined in HB 1673, and the agency will be releasing a related provider letter. The changes only apply to communities that are NOT Alzheimer’s Certified but that DO provide care to residents with Alzheimer’s or a related diagnosis.

AL managers, need to complete or have proof of completion of four hours of training and a competency-based evaluation (i.e. test) on the following topics:

• Alzheimer's disease and related disorders;
• provision of person-centered care;
• assessment and care planning;
• activities of daily living for a resident with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder;
• common behaviors and communications associated with residents with Alzheimer's disease or related disorders;
• administrative support services (i.e. the manager's role) related to information for:
  • comorbidities management;
  • care planning;
  • provision of medically appropriate education and support services and resources in the community;
  • including person-centered care to residents with Alzheimer's disease or related disorders and the resident's family;
• staffing requirements that will:
  • facilitate collaboration and cooperation among facility staff members; and
  • ensure each staff member obtains appropriate informational materials and training to properly care for and interact with a resident with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder based on the staff member's position;
• establishing a supportive and therapeutic environment for residents with Alzheimer's disease or related disorders to enhance the sense of community among the residents and within the facility; and
• transitioning care and coordination of services for residents with Alzheimer's disease or related disorders.

Both caregiving staff and AL managers are required to complete two hours of continuing education on “best practices related to the treatment of and provision of care to residents with Alzheimer's disease or related disorders.”

HHSC is in the process of developing additional guidance and assistance for everyone who will be impacted by these new staff training requirements. As this information is released, TALA will share it directly with members and include it in the TALAView, specifically in the Under the Dome article.

Learn Better through Videos? See the below video explanation of the requirements to becoming an Assisted Living Manager in Texas. 

Title 26, Chapter 553: Licensing Standards for Assisted Living Facilities

Subchapter E: Standards for Licensure

§553.253 (a)(1)-(3): Employee Qualifications and Training

§553.254: Training Requirements for Staff Providing Personal Care to Residents with Alzheimer's in Non-Certified Facilities

Subchapter F: Additional Standards for Certified Alzheimer’s Assisted Living Facilities

§553.301: Manager Qualifications and Training