How to Search PA Personal Care Home Licenses (2026)

Families often search for a “Pennsylvania assisted living license search.” In PA, most of what people mean by assisted living is regulated as a **personal care home (PCH)** under the Department of Human Services — not under the nursing-home rules of the Department of Health.

Fast path: search licensed homes here

Start with our statewide directory of 994 licensed PCHs or jump to a city page. Every listing maps to a state-licensed facility. For a family-friendly shortlist instead of DIY search, request free matches.

Official state license checks

1. Use the PA Department of Human Services provider / licensing search tools for personal care homes (Bureau of Human Services Licensing).
2. Confirm the facility name, address, and license status match what you were told on the tour.
3. Ask the administrator for the most recent DHS inspection report and any open citations.
4. Cross-check complaints with the local Area Agency on Aging Long-Term Care Ombudsman if something feels off.

Personal care home vs assisted living vs nursing home

• Personal care home — DHS license, Chapter 2600 rules; help with daily living, not skilled nursing.
• “Assisted living” marketing — in PA, confirm it is actually a licensed PCH (or another regulated license type).
• Nursing facility — DOH license; skilled nursing, rehab, complex medical care. See PCH vs nursing home.

What to do with inspection findings

A past citation is not automatically a deal-breaker — look at severity, whether it was corrected, and whether the same issues keep recurring. Pair the paper trail with an in-person tour using our red flags guide.

If you need to report a problem

For suspected abuse or neglect, call the PA Elder Abuse Hotline at 1-800-490-8505 (24/7). Full steps: how to report abuse in a PA care home.