Last verified: October 2026
How do I check whether a Maryland assisted living program is licensed?
Look the program up on OHCQ's assisted living licensee directory, a spreadsheet updated monthly that lists every licensed program with its license number, capacity, level of care and special care beds; if it is not there, it is not licensed.
Our directory reproduces that list for the Baltimore metro (data as of October 2, 2026). The license must also be posted in a common area of the building -- compare the number and bed count with the directory.
Source: OHCQ Licensee Directories
Where can I see an assisted living program's inspection history?
OHCQ does not publish assisted living survey reports in bulk, so ask the program for its most recent survey and plan of correction, check the program's MHCC Consumer Guide profile, or call OHCQ's assisted living unit.
OHCQ's assisted living team is at (410) 402-8217 or (800) 492-6005. OHCQ also publishes a Notice of Final Action page for sanctions against licensed and unlicensed providers; OHCQ's Notice of Final Action page (licensed and unlicensed assisted living providers) listed no entries when checked on October 28, 2026.
How do I check a nursing home's record?
Use CMS Care Compare, which shows each certified nursing home's star ratings, health inspection results by citation, staffing hours, turnover and fines; our nursing home pages reproduce that data with dates.
Read the deficiency descriptions and severity codes rather than just the stars, and compare the two most recent survey cycles.
What are the warning signs of an unlicensed home?
Warning signs include no license posted, a resident count above the licensed capacity, no delegating nurse, reluctance to give the license number, and cash-only arrangements; Maryland asks the public to report suspected unlicensed programs to OHCQ.
Maryland law also requires assisted living referrers to refer only to licensed programs and to report unlicensed operators -- see the referrer law.
Is an MHCC profile the same as a license?
No. MHCC publishes consumer information; OHCQ issues the license.
| OHCQ license | MHCC consumer guide profile |
|---|---|
| Legal authority to operate | Consumer information |
| Beds, level of care, special care beds | Rates, services, Medicaid waiver, secure unit |
| Required for every program | Mostly programs with 10+ beds |
What should the license certificate in the lobby show?
The posted license should name the licensee, the address, the number of licensed beds and the level of care, and the number should match OHCQ's directory.
If the program claims an Alzheimer's Special Care Unit, ask to see OHCQ's written approval of the unit description as well. A mismatch -- more residents than licensed beds, a different address, or a level lower than the care being delivered -- is worth raising with the manager and, if not resolved, with OHCQ.
