Does a long-term care / assisted living / group home in Alabama need a medical director?

Q: Does a long-term care / assisted living / group home in Alabama need a medical director?

Yes. The rule calls the role Medical Director. A physician currently licensed to practice medicine in Alabama. A nurse practitioner or physician assistant may NOT serve in this role.

🏥 Long-Term Care / Assisted Living / Group Home · Alabama

Alabama: medical director for a long-term care / assisted living / group home

Whether Alabama requires a physician medical director for a long-term care / assisted living / group home, the qualifications, duties and the rule it comes from.

Medical directorMedical director required

Title in the ruleMedical Director

Research date2026-09-03

Qualifications

A physician currently licensed to practice medicine in Alabama. A nurse practitioner or physician assistant may NOT serve in this role.

Duties the rule assigns

Implementation of resident care policies
Coordination of medical care in the facility
Participation in quality assurance activities

Notes

Confirmed for 'specialty care assisted living facilities' specifically (Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-5-20-.04(6)) — a higher-acuity ALF subtype. Alabama's separate standard assisted living facility rules (Ch. 420-5-4) were not confirmed to carry the same requirement; verify which license type applies before relying on this.

Sources (1)

Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-5-20-.04(6) (Specialty Care Assisted Living Facilities — Medical Director)

Every agreement Alabama names · Long-Term Care / Assisted Living / Group Home in other states