Licensing is the process by which the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Community and Health Systems (BCHS) regulates adult foster care group homes. The process requires that adult foster care licenses are in compliance with the rules for adult foster care group homes.
Step I - You must read the AFC Licensing Rules and the Adult Foster Care Act (1979 PA 218) prior to completing the online application. Internet Explorer is required to complete the online application.
Note: Applicants must have a credit card or a debit card to pay the fee online (Discover or American Express Cards are not accepted) Click here if you do not have a credit card or a debit card.
Step II – The application must be completed online including submission of the application fee.
| Small Group Home 3-6 |
Small Group Home 7-12 |
Large Group Home 13-20 |
| $150 |
$200 |
$500 |
Applicants are required to submit additional information as part of the application. All items must be returned together and sent to:
Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Bureau of Community and Health Systems
P.O. Box 30664
Lansing, MI 48909-8164
Note: Prior to submitting a corporate application, applicants must first form a corporation/LLC through the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs AND obtain a Federal Identification Number from the Internal Revenue Service.
LICENSING RECORD CLEARANCE REQUESTS (BCAL-1326A-FP)
A Licensing Record Clearance Request will need to be completed and submitted for:
The License Applicant, if the license applicant is an individual.
The Licensee Designee, if the license applicant is a corporation/LLC, etc. This is the individual authorized to act on behalf of the corporation/LLC, and must be named on the application. You may only designate one individual.
1979 PA 218, Sec. 12(21) requires the applicant (if an individual), the licensee designee, owner, partner, or director of the applicant who has regular direct access to residents, or who has on-site facility operational responsibilities to submit fingerprints for a criminal history check.
To obtain this form, contact the Licensing Unit at 1-866-685-0006.
After completing the fingerprint process, applicants must return the completed, signed, and dated BCAL-1326A-FP with their application.
This information is mandatory. Applications will not be processed until this information has been received and the Clearance Request conducted.
If additional forms are needed, please contact the Licensing Unit at 1-866-685-0006.
LICENSING INFORMATION REQUEST (BCHS-AFC 100)
A Licensing Information Request will need to be completed and submitted for:
The Administrator. This is the person responsible for the daily operation of the facility and must be named on the application. You may only designate one individual.
Members of the household, 18 years of age or older, who live in the facility and are not AFC residents or staff of the facility. These individuals must be listed on the application.
MEDICAL CLEARANCE REQUEST - ADULT FOSTER CARE
Applicants must provide a Medical Clearance Request (BCHS 3704-AFC), or its equivalent, completed by a licensed physician or their designee for each license applicant and each responsible person. It cannot be dated more than 6 months prior to license issuance. It is recommended that applicants do not have the Medical Clearance Request completed until they speak to a consultant.
FIRE SAFETY PLAN REVIEW (7 or more residents)
If an application is for 7 or more residents, the facility will need to be inspected by the Bureau of Fire Safety. You are required to submit building plans to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Fire Safety (BFS) for approval. The Bureau of Fire Safety Rules for Adult Foster Care Homes (7 or more) may be obtained by visiting the AFC Licensing Division website at www.michigan.gov/afchfa.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INSPECTIONS
The local health authority completes inspections for private water supply and/or sewage disposal systems for family and group homes. These inspections are conducted every two years.
NOTE: UPON ASSIGNMENT OF A LICENSING CONSULTANT AND PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT OF NEW CONSTRUCTION, APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT THEIR FLOOR PLANS TO THEIR CONSULTANT FOR REVIEW AND FOR APPROVAL.
The Department will arrange both the fire and environmental health (if the home has a private well or septic system) onsite inspections.
Upon receipt of the completed application, application fee, and the receipt and processing of all record clearance requests, applications will be forwarded to the appropriate field office and assigned to a licensing consultant. The licensing consultant will contact applicants regarding their application.
Please note that once an application is submitted applicants may not add or delete a licensee name from the application or change the facility type indicated on the application. These changes require the submission of a new application and a new fee. Fees are non-transferable. When a new application is required, fees previously submitted cannot be credited to the new application. It is therefore strongly recommended that applicants contact the Licensing Unit, at 1-866-685-0006, prior to submitting an application and fee to assure that the correct application is submitted.
For additional information, please contact the Licensing Unit at 1-866-685-0006.
