Free senior care guidance for Milwaukee-area families. No cost to you, ever.
Call (262) 400-3429
Milwaukee Senior Advisor

Who licenses and regulates senior care facilities in Wisconsin?

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), Division of Quality Assurance (DQA), Bureau of Assisted Living (BAL) licenses and regulates CBRFs,

Quick answer

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), Division of Quality Assurance (DQA), Bureau of Assisted Living (BAL) licenses and regulates CBRFs, RCACs, adult family homes, and nursing homes statewide. General licensing contact: 608-266-8482.

HomeQuestionsWho licenses and regulates senior care facilities in
Answer

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), Division of Quality Assurance (DQA), Bureau of Assisted Living (BAL) licenses and regulates CBRFs, RCACs, adult family homes, and nursing homes statewide. General licensing contact: 608-266-8482.

What this means in practice

The Bureau of Assisted Living is the single state office behind all four license types, even though the license types themselves are separate -- so a question about a CBRF's program statement, an RCAC's certification, or a nursing home's survey history all eventually route through the same DQA/BAL office. DHS also maintains a newer DQA Provider Portal for licensure and certification functions online. If you can't find an answer on a facility's own website or through the DQA Provider Search tool, this office's general contact line and email ([email protected]) are the direct path to the regulator itself, rather than a third-party aggregator's interpretation of the rules.

Related questions

Questions families ask

Who licenses and regulates senior care facilities in Wisconsin?

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), Division of Quality Assurance (DQA), Bureau of Assisted Living (BAL) licenses and regulates CBRFs, RCACs, adult family homes, and nursing homes statewide. General licensing contact: 608-266-8482.

Not sure where to start?

Answer five questions and a local advisor will come back with senior care options in your area that actually fit your situation and budget. It is free, and there is no obligation.

Find care options
Find senior care — free