Glossary
Type A citation
A Type A citation is the more serious class of citation the California Department of Social Services issues to a licensed care facility, for a deficiency that poses an immediate or substantial risk to residents’ health, safety or personal rights.
Type A citations must be corrected promptly, can carry civil penalties, and stay on the facility’s public record. A single citation is a specific thing to ask about on a tour: what happened, what changed, and whether the follow-up visit found it corrected.
Related terms
Type B citation
A Type B citation is the less serious class of citation issued by the California Department of Social Services, for a deficiency such as incomplete records or a maintenance issue that does not pose an immediate risk to residents.
CDSS
CDSS is the California Department of Social Services, whose Community Care Licensing Division licenses and inspects assisted living communities (RCFEs) and publishes their inspection and complaint records.
Title 22
Title 22 is the section of the California Code of Regulations that sets the rules for licensed care facilities, including the staffing, care, records and physical-plant requirements RCFEs must meet.
Definitions reviewed September 5, 2026. Rules vary by state and change over time; confirm specifics with the community and the licensing agency.