How to Verify a Long-Term Care Facility’s License & Inspection History: A Complete Guide to Georgia HFRD and CMS Care Compare Resources
Originally published: August 2025 | Reviewed by Sadie Mays
Originally published: August 2025 | Reviewed by Sadie Mays
Selecting a long-term care facility for someone you care about requires more than just a brief tour or a casual conversation with the staff.
In Georgia, you can check a long-term care facility‘s license and inspection history using the state’s Healthcare Facility Regulation Division database and the federal CMS Care Compare website.
These official records reveal details about licensing status, safety violations, staffing levels, and quality ratings. Facilities might not share this info during your visit.
The Healthcare Facility Regulation Division monitors nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and personal care homes throughout Georgia.
Knowing how to find and read licensing records, inspection reports, and federal quality data enables families to make more informed choices.
You’ll want to check both state and federal records to get a real sense of a facility’s track record.
Licensing and inspection records shed light on safety issues, regulatory violations, and quality problems that impact residents.
These documents help families spot facilities with strong compliance records and avoid places with major problems.
Inspection reports flag serious safety violations that put people at risk. Healthcare Facility Regulation inspectors check over 1,500 state and federal standards each visit.
Common violations include:
Facilities are inspected every 9 to 15 months, but they don’t receive advance notice. Inspectors typically spend a few days examining all aspects of care.
If inspectors find serious problems, they demand quick fixes. Facilities that don’t comply can face license suspension or other penalties.
Inspection records outline violations and the facilities’ responses. State certification agencies record compliance and enforcement steps in detail.
Types of enforcement actions:
The records indicate whether a facility addressed issues promptly or continued to experience problems. Repeat violations often indicate deeper issues with quality care.
When you see the same issues recurring repeatedly, it’s usually a sign of weak management. That’s a red flag for families.
Full inspection histories let families compare facilities based on actual data—not just brochures. Rules and regulations set clear standards for everyone.
Key things to look at:
Facilities with clean records usually have better management and care. If a place has just a few violations, that’s a good sign for staffing and resident outcomes.
You can also check if a facility’s license is up to date. State health departments keep these records and make them public online.
With this info, families can ask better questions during tours and base their decisions on real performance, not just promises.
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The Georgia Healthcare Facility Regulation Division has an online tool called GaMap2Care. It allows you to search for licensed facilities and view their inspection records.
This database covers all regulated healthcare facilities, including assisted living and personal care homes.
Visit the GaMap2Care facility search website, operated by the Georgia Department of Community Health. HFRD built this tool to help people make better choices.
GaMap2Care consolidates all regulated facility information in one location. The interface is pretty straightforward, which is a relief.
Bookmark the site before you start searching. That way, you’ll always have the latest inspection data and license updates.
The search box takes different details to help you find a facility. You can type in the full name or just part of it to see matches.
Ways to search:
If you only know the area, try a geographic search. It’ll show all licensed facilities in that location.
Searching by license number allows you to find the exact location you want. You can usually find this number on facility paperwork or ads.
Each facility’s page shows key licensing info you need. You’ll see if the facility has a valid license right now.
What you’ll find:
If a license is active, that’s good news. Expired or suspended licenses should make you pause.
Inspection summaries show scores and types of violations. Recent inspection dates indicate whether the information is current.
You can download detailed inspection reports from the system. These reports lay out what state inspectors found.
Reports you can get:
Full inspection reports provide detailed information about staffing, care quality, and facility conditions. Inspector notes are often candid.
Always access the most recent reports for the most up-to-date information. Older reports can help you spot patterns or recurring problems.
The Medicare Compare tool provides federal inspection data and quality ratings for nursing homes and facilities that participate in Medicare or Medicaid. It includes star ratings, staffing info, and inspection findings from federal surveyors.
Go straight to Medicare.gov and look for the Care Compare section. The tool lists nursing homes, facilities, and other providers in Medicare or Medicaid programs.
You don’t need an account to use the website. Just search and view info for free.
The platform updates with new inspection reports and quality stats on a regular basis. Federal surveyors do these inspections separately from the state reviews.
Type the facility’s exact name for the best results. The system will show you matching places in your area.
Or, punch in a ZIP code to see all nursing homes within a certain distance. You can change the search radius to get more or fewer options.
Search results list names, addresses, and ownership types. Each facility has links to detailed reports and ratings.
You can filter by facility type, bed count, or ownership. That way, you can zero in on places that fit your needs.
Medicare gives out star ratings—one to five stars—in three main areas. Health inspections are rated based on the number and severity of problems identified during surveys.
Staffing ratings look at nurse-to-resident ratios and compare them to national averages. More staff usually means better care quality.
Quality measure ratings focus on factors such as pressure ulcers, falls, and the effectiveness of medication management. Facilities have to report this data to Medicare.
| Rating Category | What It Measures | Data Source |
| Health Inspections | Safety violations and deficiencies | Federal survey reports |
| Staffing | Nurse hours per resident day | Facility payroll records |
| Quality Measures | Clinical outcomes and care metrics | Resident assessment data |
Five stars mean top performance. If you see one star, that’s a warning sign worth digging into.
Click on a facility to see complete inspection reports. These documents list every problem found, its severity, and the necessary corrective actions required by the facility.
Immediate jeopardy means the worst violations—stuff that could cause serious harm or death. Facilities must address these issues immediately.
Other deficiencies range from minor paperwork errors to more significant care issues. The reports outline what surveyors observed and what needs to be changed.
Nursing facilities that accept Medicaid must meet the same federal standards as those that accept Medicare. The inspection process is the same for both.
Keep an eye out for repeat violations over several inspections. If the same problems persist, that’s usually a sign of ongoing management or staffing issues.
Red flags in inspection reports often indicate serious problems that can compromise resident safety and care. These warning signs help families identify facilities with ongoing issues that require immediate attention.
Infection control violations pop up a lot in troubled facilities. You’ll see things like poor hand hygiene, sloppy cleaning routines, or failure to isolate sick residents when needed.
When staff skip proper sanitation, everyone’s at risk. Watch for citations regarding dirty equipment, contaminated surfaces, or improperly disposed trash.
Medication errors? Another huge worry. These might mean incorrect doses, missed medications, or improperly stored medicines.
Common medication violations include:
Facilities racking up infection control or medication citations usually have poorly trained staff. They likely lack systems to identify and correct these dangerous mistakes.
Physical safety issues pose an immediate danger to residents. Broken equipment, unsafe buildings, or missing safety features are common culprits.
Inspection reports might mention faulty bed rails, broken wheelchairs, or call systems that don’t work. Slippery floors, dim lighting, and blocked exits are also frequent violations.
Fire safety is a big deal, too. Check for problems with smoke detectors, sprinklers, or evacuation plans.
Key safety red flags:
If a facility doesn’t address these issues promptly, it indicates that management isn’t prioritising safety.
Staffing issues can spiral through a long-term care facility. High turnover results in residents losing familiar faces and receiving inconsistent care.
New staff need time to learn what each resident likes or needs. If workers keep leaving, there’s no chance to build those relationships.
When there aren’t enough staff, the ones left have to rush. That’s when you see missed meds, skipped hygiene, and more falls.
Signs of staffing problems:
Facilities with ongoing staffing shortages often lower their standards. Sometimes they hire less qualified people or skip proper training.
If a facility continues to be cited for the same issue, it’s a bad sign. That usually means management can’t—or won’t—fix the root problem.
Examine inspection dates to identify patterns. If the same issues pop up every few months, that’s not a fluke—it’s a system that’s broken.
Some places clean up just for inspections, then slip back into old habits. The cycle repeats, and nothing really changes.
Warning patterns to watch:
Repeated violations can lead to more severe consequences, such as fines or even losing Medicare certification.
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Online records only show part of the picture when it comes to a long-term care facility’s quality. Visiting in person lets you see for yourself if the place matches what’s on paper.
Go ahead and ask administrators and nurses about their last state or federal inspection. If they’re honest, they’ll talk openly about any citations or issues.
Staff should be able to explain the steps they took to resolve any issues. They should be aware of when their next inspection is scheduled.
Key questions to ask:
Pay attention to how they answer. If they dodge the questions or seem uncomfortable, that might be a red flag.
Walk around the facility. Check out common areas, dining rooms, and resident rooms to see how things look.
Are handrails secure? Are hallways clear? Do residents look clean and well cared for?
Notice how fast the staff respond when a resident needs something. Are they friendly, or do they seem rushed and frustrated?
Safety items to observe:
Compare what you see with recent inspection reports. If a facility has fixed past problems, you should see real changes.
Legitimate facilities keep their inspection reports readily available for families to review. Ask the administrator for the full report while you’re there.
The inspection certificate should be posted near the main entrance. It shows their license and rating.
Review the report on-site so you can ask questions immediately. Staff should walk you through any citations and explain the actions taken regarding them.
If they only want to show you a summary, insist on the full report. You deserve to see all the details, including their written responses.
Use your visit to double-check what you found online at Georgia HFRD or CMS Care Compare. Does the facility look as good—or as bad—as the ratings suggest?
If they scored low in some areas, see if they’ve made improvements. Sometimes things look better (or worse) in person.
Areas to cross-reference:
Take notes during your visit. Later, compare them to what you read in inspection reports. If you see big differences, that’s worth following up.
Families shouldn’t just check licensing and inspection records once when choosing a facility. Licenses renew yearly, and inspections occur throughout the year, so new information comes to light that could affect your loved one.
Georgia facilities are required to renew their licenses annually. During renewal times, they might face restrictions or even lose their license—sometimes things change from one year to the next.
Georgia’s licensing system monitors facilities throughout the year, not just at renewal. Complaints or routine inspections can change a facility’s status between renewals.
Some facilities lose their license completely, while others get conditional licenses with new requirements.
Key renewal timeline:
It’s a good idea to check your license status every 12 months, especially in January. A facility that looked fine last year may now have new restrictions.
Facilities get unannounced inspections throughout the year—not just at renewal time. New violations or concerns can turn up at any visit.
Texas healthcare facilities are inspected several times a year. Georgia follows a similar schedule for long-term care.
Common inspection triggers:
New inspection reports typically appear online within 30-60 days. Check for updates every 6 months—serious issues can arise between license renewals.
Regular checks help families spot problems before they hurt residents. Facilities may change managers, reduce staff, or encounter financial difficulties between your initial visit and subsequent months.
New Jersey’s inspection system offers a good example of ongoing monitoring. Georgia’s system works much the same way.
Recommended checking schedule:
If you keep an eye on things, you’ll catch warning signs early. Multiple complaints, staff turnover, or repeated violations in key areas, such as medication management or infection control, mean it’s time to dig deeper.
Sometimes facilities improve with new leadership or additional resources. At other times, things go downhill, and you’ll need to consider alternative options.
Georgia residents have three main ways to report problems at nursing homes or long-term care facilities. You can file complaints with state regulators, utilize federal systems, or contact local advocates.
The Healthcare Facility Regulation Division (HFRD) handles official complaints about Georgia long-term care facilities. This agency investigates and takes action when facilities fail to comply with the rules.
Anyone can file a complaint online with HFRD if they believe a facility provided substandard care. The online form works for any program licensed by HFRD.
Contact Information:
The HFRD investigates abuse in long-term care as Georgia’s main reporting agency. They deal with neglect, bad medical care, unsafe conditions, and staff issues.
You can file complaints anonymously. HFRD tries to keep your information private. They respond quickly to serious cases and sometimes inspect without warning.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services runs its own complaint system for facilities that take Medicare or Medicaid payments.
This federal system works in conjunction with Georgia’s state reporting.
CMS complaints usually prompt state survey agencies to inspect facilities.
These agencies check whether nursing homes actually meet federal safety and quality standards.
What CMS Investigates:
Sometimes, the federal system intervenes when state agencies fail to respond promptly.
It provides an additional layer of oversight for serious violations.
State survey teams receive the complaints and then work with CMS to investigate them.
The Georgia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program advocates for nursing home residents throughout the state. These volunteers know their stuff and help solve problems while keeping complaints under wraps.
Ombudsmen frequently visit facilities and get to know the staff. Most of the time, they sort things out quickly; no need for a big investigation.
The program’s always looking for ways to make life better for folks in long-term care.
Services Provided:
Complaints through ombudspersons can encompass any issue that poses a risk to a resident’s health, safety, or rights. Ombudsmen communicate directly with facility staff and attempt to resolve issues face-to-face.
The program sticks to strict confidentiality. Residents and families can speak up without worrying about staff backlash.
Trust Sadie G. Mays Health & Rehabilitation Center for compassionate, resident-focused Long-Term Care. We deliver dignity, safety, and expert support every day—contact us today to schedule your visit.
If you’re ready to get started, call us now!
How do I verify if a long-term care facility is licensed in Georgia?
You can verify licensing through the Georgia Healthcare Facility Regulation Division (HFRD) Facility Search Tool by entering the facility’s name, city, or license number.
What is CMS Care Compare, and how does it help families?
CMS Care Compare is a federal tool from Medicare that provides star ratings, inspection reports, staffing levels, and quality measures for long-term care facilities nationwide.
Are inspection reports for Georgia long-term care facilities public?
Yes. Both HFRD and CMS make inspection reports, violations, and corrective actions publicly available online for transparency and accountability.
What red flags should I look for in inspection histories?
Warning signs include repeated deficiencies, infection control violations, unsafe staffing ratios, unresolved safety issues, and high turnover rates.
How often should families check a facility’s license and inspection status?
Families should re-check at least once a year or immediately if concerns about care quality, complaints, or sudden changes in staffing arise.
Can a facility operate without a license in Georgia?
No. It is illegal to operate an unlicensed long-term care facility in Georgia, and violations should be reported to HFRD or local authorities.
Where can I file a complaint about a long-term care facility in Georgia?
Complaints can be filed with the Georgia HFRD complaint hotline or online form, through CMS, or by contacting a local long-term care ombudsman.