Utah Assisted Living License Types: Type I vs. II
Updated September 8, 2026
Utah splits assisted living licenses into two tiers, Type I and Type II, based on how much hands-on assistance and medical support a facility is licensed to provide. The tier tells you a lot about which residents a facility is built to serve, but it's not the whole picture, so confirm the specifics with each facility directly.
Type I facilities
Type I facilities generally serve residents who are mostly independent but need help with a handful of daily tasks, things like medication reminders, bathing, or getting dressed. Staff support is lighter than Type II, and residents typically manage more of their own routine day to day. A Type I license fits well for someone who's declining a little but doesn't yet need close, hands-on supervision.
Type II facilities
Type II facilities are licensed for a higher level of hands-on assistance, including residents who need more help with mobility, transfers, or managing medical conditions. Staffing and training requirements run higher to match. A resident who's non-ambulatory or needs more consistent physical assistance usually fits a Type II setting better than a Type I one.
License type is a starting point, not a guarantee. The exact services a facility can provide depend on state regulations and that facility's own staffing and training, so always confirm directly what a specific resident's needs would require before choosing a community.
Does a facility's license type ever change?
Some communities hold a Type II license across the whole building, which lets them serve a wider range of residents without a second move if care needs increase. Others operate distinct wings or floors under each license type. Ask directly whether a resident could stay in place if their needs grow, since that avoids an unplanned move later.
Where nursing care fits in
Neither Type I nor Type II assisted living is licensed as a nursing facility. Residents who need ongoing skilled nursing care, like wound care, IV therapy, or round-the-clock medical monitoring, typically need a licensed nursing care facility instead. Latter Years' directory labels each facility by its actual license level so you can filter for the right one.
Can I ask a facility which license type they hold?
Yes, and you should. A facility's license type is public information, and Latter Years' directory lists it on every facility profile alongside memory care capability and other licensing details.
Is Type II always better than Type I?
Not for every resident. Type II covers a broader range of needs, but a resident who's still largely independent may prefer a Type I community's lighter-touch environment. The right fit depends on the specific level of assistance needed, not which tier sounds more capable.
Filter by license type, county, and memory care availability to find facilities that match.