1. A. An applicant shall apply for approval to operate a memory care services training program by submitting:

   1. 1. An application in a Department-provided format that contains:

      1. a. The name of the entity;
      2. b. The name, telephone number, and email address of the individual in charge of the proposed memory care services training program;
      3. c. The address where the memory care services training program records are maintained;
      4. d. The address and telephone number of each facility from which training services will be provided;

      5. e. A description of the minimum eight hours of initial memory care services training for staff and contractors, that includes:

         1. i. One of the following:

            1. (1) Dementia care training curriculum from a nationally recognized organization; or

            2. (2) The evidence-based information presented for each of the following required topics, along with any additional relevant topics:

               aa. Understanding cognitive impairments and the impact on residents, including the progression of the neurodegenerative disease;

               bb. Communication techniques with cognitively impaired residents;

               cc. Managing challenging behaviors such as aggression, wandering, and agitation;

               dd. Techniques for promoting dignity, comfort, and emotional well-being of residents;

               ee. Implementation of individualized service planning for residents receiving memory care services;

               ff. Emergency and safety protocols specific to memory care;

               gg. Recognizing, preventing, and reporting abuse, neglect, or exploitation;

               hh. Activities of daily living specific to residents receiving memory care services;

         2. ii. Palliative care and end-of-life training; and

            jj. Medication management and administration; and

         3. ii. In addition to R9-10-122(A)(1)(e)(i):

            1. (1) The amount of time allotted to each topic,
            2. (2) The skills an individual is expected to acquire for each topic, and
            3. (3) The testing method used to verify an individual has acquired the stated skills for each topic;

      6. f. A description of the minimum four hours of annual memory care services training for staff and contractors, including:

         1. i. The evidence-based information presented for each of the following required topics, along with any additional relevant topics:

            1. (1) Managing challenging behaviors such as aggression, wandering, and agitation;
            2. (2) Techniques for promoting dignity, comfort, and emotional well-being of residents;
            3. (3) Recognizing, preventing, reporting abuse, neglect, or exploitation; and
            4. (4) Implementation of individualized service planning for residents receiving memory care services;
         2. ii. The amount of time allotted to each topic;
         3. iii. The skills an individual is expected to acquire for each topic; and
         4. iv. The testing method used to verify an individual has acquired the stated skills for each topic;

      7. g. A description of the minimum four hours of memory care services training for a manager, including:

         1. i. The evidence-based information presented for each of the following required topics:

            1. (1) Development and implementation of individualized service planning for residents receiving memory care services, and
            2. (2) Staffing levels and resource allocation;

         2. ii. Any additional relevant topics, which may include evidence-based information or facility-specific information, such as:

            1. (1) Supervisory skills for leading interdisciplinary teams;
            2. (2) Effective delegation and team-building strategies;
            3. (3) Conflict resolution and managing workplace dynamics;
            4. (4) In-depth understanding of state regulations specific to memory care services;
            5. (5) Monitoring care outcomes and resident satisfaction;
            6. (6) Engaging with families during crises or challenging situations;
            7. (7) Leading meetings and facilitating collaboration among staff;
            8. (8) Advocacy for residents and families;
            9. (9) Coaching and mentoring staff for professional growth;
            10. (10) Staying updated on advancements in dementia care;
            11. (11) Developing emergency protocols;
            12. (12) Cultural competency to ensure inclusivity and sensitivity in care;
            13. (13) Strategies to improve staff retention and job satisfaction;
            14. (14) Supporting mental health and wellness among team members;
            15. (15) Room assignments, operations, and environmental standards; or
            16. (16) Identification and implementation of control measures for infectious diseases;
         3. iii. The amount of time allotted to each topic;
         4. iv. The skills an individual is expected to acquire for each topic; and
         5. v. The testing method used to verify an individual has acquired the stated skills for each topic;
      8. h. Whether the applicant agrees to allow the Department to submit supplemental requests for information as specified in subsection (H)(2); and
      9. i. The signature of the individual in charge of the proposed memory care services training program and the date signed; and
   2. 2. A copy of the materials used for providing the memory care services training program.
2. B. The memory care services training program shall include in-person components and may incorporate online components. The in-person component shall include a demonstration of the individual’s skills and knowledge necessary to provide memory care services.
3. C. The memory care services training program shall review the topics and materials provided in the memory care services training at least once every 12 months to ensure the information is current and evidence-based, and if necessary, update the materials based on the most up-to-date source or sources for evidence-based practice or practices.

4. D. For annual renewal, at least 60 days before the expiration of approval, a memory care services training program shall submit to the Department, in a Department-provided format:

   1. 1. The memory care services training program’s approval number; and
   2. 2. The information in subsection (A).
5. E. For an application for an approval of a memory care services training program, the administrative review time-frame is 30 calendar days, the substantive review time-frame is 30 calendar days, and the overall time-frame is 60 calendar days.

6. F. Within 30 calendar days after the receipt of an application in subsection (A), the Department shall:

   1. 1. Issue an approval of the applicant’s memory care services training program;
   2. 2. Provide a notice of administrative completeness to the applicant that submitted the application; or
   3. 3. Provide a notice of deficiencies to the applicant that submitted the application, including a list of the information or documents needed to complete the application.

7. G. If the Department provides a notice of deficiencies to an applicant:

   1. 1. The administrative completeness review time-frame and the overall time-frame are suspended from the date of the notice of deficiencies until the date the Department receives the missing information or documents from the applicant;
   2. 2. If the applicant does not submit the missing information or documents to the Department within 30 calendar days, the Department shall consider the application withdrawn; and
   3. 3. If the applicant submits the missing information or documents to the Department within 30 calendar days, the substantive review time-frame begins on the date the Department receives the missing information or documents.

8. H. Within the substantive review time-frame, the Department:

   1. 1. Shall issue or deny an approval of a memory care services training program; and
   2. 2. May make one written comprehensive request for more information, unless the Department and the applicant agree in writing to allow the Department to submit supplemental requests for information.

9. I. If the Department issues a written comprehensive request or a supplemental request for information:

   1. 1. The substantive review time-frame and the overall time-frame are suspended from the date of the written comprehensive request or the supplemental request for information until the date the Department receives the information requested, and
   2. 2. The applicant shall submit to the Department the information and documents listed in the written comprehensive request or supplemental request for information within 10 working days after the date of the comprehensive written request or supplemental request for information.

10. J. The Department shall issue:

    1. 1. An approval for an applicant to operate a memory care services training program if the Department determines that the applicant and the application comply with A.R.S. § 36-405.03 and this Section, or

    2. 2. A denial for an applicant that includes the reason for the denial and the process for appeal of the Department’s decision if:

       1. a. The Department determines that the applicant does not comply with A.R.S. § 36-405.03 and this Section, or
       2. b. The applicant does not submit information and documents listed in the written comprehensive request or supplemental request for information within 10 working days after the date of the comprehensive written request or supplemental request for information.

11. K. The Department may deny, revoke, or suspend an approval to operate a memory care services training program if a memory care services training program provider or an applicant applying to operate a memory care services training program:

    1. 1. Provides false or misleading information to the Department,
    2. 2. Does not comply with the applicable statutes and rules,

    3. 3. Issues a training certificate of completion to an individual who did not,

       1. a. Complete the memory care services training program, or
       2. b. Demonstrate the skills the individual was expected to acquire, or
    4. 4. Does not implement the memory care services training program as described in or use the materials submitted with the application.

12. L. In determining which action in subsection (K) is appropriate, the Department shall consider the following:

    1. 1. Repeated violations of statutes or rules,
    2. 2. Pattern of non-compliance,
    3. 3. Types of violations,
    4. 4. Severity of violations, and
    5. 5. Number of violations.

Historical Note

New Section made by final rulemaking at 7 A.A.R. 2145, effective May 1, 2001 (Supp. 01-2). Amended by final rulemaking at 8 A.A.R. 3578, effective July 26, 2002 (Supp. 02-3). Amended by exempt rulemaking at 14 A.A.R. 3958, effective September 26, 2008 (Supp. 08-3). Amended by exempt rulemaking at 15 A.A.R. 2100, effective January 1, 2010 (Supp. 09-4). Section repealed by exempt rulemaking at 19 A.A.R. 2015, effective October 1, 2013 (Supp. 13-2). New Section made by final rulemaking at 31 A.A.R. 2085 (June 27, 2025), with a delayed effective date of June 30, 2025 (Supp. 25-2).