Residential Care Apartment Complexes: Rules and Regulations
New online licensure and certification system for health and residential care providers
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) is launching the DHS DQA Provider Portal, a new system for licensure, background checks, plan reviews, and other provider applications for assisted living facilities, adult day care centers, personal care agencies, and substance use and mental health treatment programs. Licensure/certification applications and plan review materials will not be accepted electronically or postmarked as of November 22, 2025, as we transition to the new system. We will accept applications and plan review materials starting December 15, 2025. Applications must be submitted using the DHS DQA Provider Portal. To prepare for this transition and for more information, visit our webpage.
Background check applications for all users
To prepare for the transition to the new DHS DQA Provider Portal, the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) will not accept any new background check applications for entity operators, non-client residents, or other required individuals for new or renewing entity license/certification applications, or for rehabilitation review applicants as of November 22, 2025.
DQA will resume accepting background check applications on December 15, 2025, through the DHS DQA Provider Portal. To prepare for this transition and for more information, visit our webpage. Caregiver background checks completed by entities for employees and contractors are not affected by this transition.
As defined in Wis. Stat. ch. 50.01, residential care apartment complexes (RCACs) are places where five or more adults reside that consist of independent apartments with specific criteria:
- Individual lockable entrance and exit
- Kitchen, including a stove
- Individual bathroom
- Sleeping area
- Living area
These facilities also provide residents with no more than 28 hours per week of supportive, personal, and nursing services.
RCACs are not nursing homes or community-based residential facilities, but they may be physically part of these facilities.
Regulatory information
Select a link to learn more.
- Assisted Living: Home and Community-Based Services - Learn more about services to determine compliance.
- Caregiver Programs - Read about the variety of programs in Wisconsin, as well as required background checks.
- RCAC (Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 89) - Learn more about Wisconsin administrative codes for RCACs.
- Uniform Licensure (Wis. Stat. ch. 50) - Learn more about definitions and requirements for RCACs.
- Waivers, Approvals, Variances, and Exceptions: Assisted Living - Learn about procedures and requirements.