How do I manage licensing and compliance review across multiple states?
Direct answer
Treat each state as its own project. Licensing rules, change-of-ownership processes and timelines differ by state, so build a state-by-state checklist early in diligence and start the applications as soon as the deal is signed.
What to know
For each state, confirm the license type, the change-of-ownership process and its timeline, and the administrator requirements. A CHOW commonly takes 90 to 180 days, and California can take 3 to 12 months, so licensing is often the long pole in a multi-state closing.
On compliance, review three years of state surveys and plans of correction for every community, plus current licenses. Survey problems in one state do not transfer to another, but they do affect that state's willingness to license the new operator.
Experienced buyers centralize tracking: one matrix of communities, license types, application dates, survey status and outstanding corrective items, updated weekly through closing.
How Haven helps
Haven's due diligence resources help buyers organize licensing and compliance review across portfolios. Read our senior housing due diligence checklist.
Related questions
- How do licensing requirements affect an assisted living acquisition?
- Can an assisted living license transfer to a new owner?
- What is a change of ownership (CHOW) in assisted living?
- How long does a change of ownership take for assisted living?
- Does assisted living real estate qualify for a 1031 exchange?