LIC 602A and LIC 603: Two Appraisals, Two Signers
Getting a loved one into an assisted living home in California comes with paperwork. Two forms cause the most confusion: the LIC 603 and the LIC 602A. They sound alike, but they are not the same.
People often mix them up. They ask why there are two appraisals for one move-in. The short answer is that each form does a different job, and a different person signs it. Once you see that, the rest falls into place.
Here is a plain-language look at both forms. We will cover what each one is, who fills it out, and how the older LIC 602 fits in. By the end, the paperwork should feel far less confusing.
What Is an RCFE, and Who Handles These Forms?
RCFE stands for Residential Care Facility for the Elderly. These are assisted living homes and board and care homes. They provide daily care and supervision, but not skilled nursing.
These facilities are overseen by California's Community Care Licensing Division. The rules they follow come from Title 22. The forms above are part of how the state makes sure a home can meet a resident's needs.
Inside the facility, the RCFE administrator usually manages the admission file. They collect the appraisal and the medical assessment. They also make sure both forms are complete before a move-in.
What Is the LIC 603?
The LIC 603 Preplacement Appraisal Information is the facility's admission appraisal. It gathers a picture of the applicant's daily needs. It is not a medical exam.
The form covers everyday details. Think about overall health, physical limits, mental condition, and social likes and dislikes. It also asks about functional abilities and the services a person may need.
The information can come from the applicant or their family. A relative, social worker, or hospital may help fill it in. The form itself even notes that it is not a substitute for the physician's report.
What the LIC 603 Covers
The appraisal paints a practical picture of the person. It looks at how they manage an ordinary day. That helps a facility judge whether it can meet their needs.
Areas the form asks about include:
Ambulatory status, meaning how well a person can move and evacuate
Functional abilities, like using stairs, a walker, or a wheelchair
Help needed with bathing, dressing, eating, or toileting
Whether the person needs help with medication or cash
Special needs, like night supervision for confusion or wandering
What Is the LIC 602A?
The LIC 602A Medical Assessment is the medical side of the picture. A physician completes it. It confirms whether the person is a good fit for non-medical residential care.
Every RCFE admission in California requires this medical assessment. It is tied to the Title 22 regulations that govern residential care facilities for the elderly. The doctor reports on health status, conditions, and care needs.
The doctor reports on more than a diagnosis. They note physical and mental health status. They also flag whether the person can handle their own personal care and medications.
Because a physician has to complete it, timing can be tricky. If getting to a clinic is hard, some families arrange for a physician to visit to complete the form. That can keep an admission moving without a stressful office trip.
How the LIC 602A Relates to the Older LIC 602
You may also see the LIC 602 Physician's Report mentioned. This is the long-standing physician's report for community care facilities. It covers diagnosis, ambulatory status, and capacity for self-care.
The LIC 602A is the RCFE-specific medical assessment used at admission today. If you are unsure which physician form your facility wants, ask them directly. You can also review the LIC 602 physician's report requirements to understand what a doctor needs to report.
LIC 603 vs LIC 602A: What Is the Difference?
The simplest way to see it is by job and signer. One form is about daily life. The other is about medical fitness.
Here is the contrast at a glance:
LIC 603: a non-medical appraisal of daily needs, filled in by the applicant or family
LIC 602A: a medical assessment, completed and signed by a physician
LIC 603 asks about routines, mobility, and services needed
LIC 602A asks about diagnosis, health status, and care needs
Both forms feed the same decision. Together they help a facility judge whether it can safely meet a person's needs. That is why how the LIC 602A and LIC 603 line up matters so much at admission.
Think of them as two halves of one story. The LIC 603 tells the home how a person lives. The LIC 602A tells the home what a doctor sees. A facility needs both halves to make a safe choice.
Who Signs Each Form?
This is where the two forms truly split. The signers are not the same. That single fact clears up most of the confusion.
The LIC 603 is signed by the applicant or their authorized representative. The licensee, or the facility's designated representative, also signs it. No doctor is required.
The LIC 602A is signed by the physician who completes it. Their signature confirms the medical findings. If a family member is signing on someone's behalf, it helps to understand who has signing authority first.
This split is easy to remember once you see the logic. The family and facility speak to daily life, so they sign the appraisal. The doctor speaks to medical fitness, so they sign the assessment.
When Are These Forms Due, and Do They Expire?
Both forms are part of getting ready before move-in. The facility needs them to complete the admission file. Missing forms can hold up a move.
The medical assessment has a limited window before admission. A report that is too old may not be accepted. It helps to check whether the LIC 602A expires so the timing works out.
Planning ahead avoids a last-minute scramble. Gathering both forms early keeps the process calm. It also gives the facility time to review the file.
Move-ins can happen quickly once a spot opens. Having the paperwork ready means you will not lose that spot. It is one less thing to worry about on a busy day.
Tips for Getting Both Forms Done Smoothly
A little organization goes a long way with this paperwork. You do not need to be an expert. You just need a simple plan.
Ask the facility which exact forms they want, and in what order
Start the medical assessment early, since it depends on a doctor's schedule
Keep a copy of every form you submit
Write down current medications and doses before the doctor visit
Note any recent hospital stays or big changes in health
Bringing this information to the appointment saves time. The doctor can fill in the form faster with the details in hand. That also lowers the chance of a form coming back for corrections.
Why Getting Both Forms Right Matters
An RCFE admission file is reviewed carefully. Incomplete or mismatched forms can cause delays. In some cases, they can even lead to a rejected admission.
The paperwork can feel like a lot during an already stressful time. A senior placement advisor such as Assisted Living Connections can help a family understand which forms are needed and keep them organized.
Matching the right home to a person's needs is the other half of the job. The appraisal shows what someone needs day to day. An advisor like 123 Senior Placement can use that picture to point families toward facilities that fit.
The move itself takes planning too, beyond the forms. For the bigger picture, a step-by-step guide to a safe senior move can help families think through the whole transition. Small steps early make the day itself smoother.
Common Mistakes That Delay Admission
Most delays come from small, avoidable slips. A little care up front saves days later. These are the ones families run into most.
Leaving a required signature blank on either form
Using a medical assessment that is too old to accept
Details on the two forms that do not match up
Missing information about medications or care needs
A quick review before you hand in the file helps a lot. Read both forms side by side and check that the story lines up. Fix any gaps before the facility does its own review.
FAQ
What is the difference between the LIC 603 and the LIC 602A?
The LIC 603 is a non-medical appraisal of a person's daily needs, filled in by the applicant or family. The LIC 602A is a medical assessment completed by a physician. One looks at daily life, the other at medical fitness for care.
Who fills out the LIC 603?
The LIC 603 can be completed with information from the applicant or their authorized representative. A relative, social worker, or hospital may help. It is then signed by the applicant or representative and by the licensee.
Who signs the LIC 602A?
A physician completes and signs the LIC 602A. Their signature confirms the medical findings on the form. It is required for every RCFE admission in California.
Is the LIC 602 the same as the LIC 602A?
They are related but not identical. The LIC 602 is the longer-standing physician's report for community care facilities. The LIC 602A is the RCFE medical assessment used at admission. Ask your facility which form they require.
Does the LIC 602A expire?
The medical assessment has a limited window before admission, so a report that is too old may not be accepted. Timing matters, so complete it close to the move-in. Check the pre-admission window to be sure.
Why do I need both the LIC 603 and the LIC 602A?
Each form covers a different side of the same decision. The LIC 603 shows daily needs, and the LIC 602A confirms medical fitness. Together they help a facility decide whether it can safely meet a person's needs.
