Preview: figures awaiting verification
Some numbers on this page haven't been checked against their sources yet.
Senior Living Placement and Referral Advisor Business
A desk-and-phone advisory business that helps families choose assisted living, memory care and other senior housing, usually free to the family and paid by the community the senior moves into.
Figures last verified October 31, 2026
$3,739 – $7,534*Pending verificationSourcesCalifornia Secretary of State — LLC (domestic) forms and fees(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026California Franchise Tax Board — limited liability company(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026National Placement and Referral Alliance (NPRA) — Registering for the CPRS exam(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Oasis Senior Advisors 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 17, 2026, as amended June 15, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026CarePatrol 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 18, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Assisted Living Locators 2026 FDD, marked (redlined) copy (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Computed from 6 startup budget line items: lean plan low to professional plan high. Some lines are not sourced yet and are excluded.
Startup cost
Coming soon
Time to first revenue
Moderate
Difficulty
Low
Physical demand
Yes
Can run solo
Year-round; driven by health crises and hospital discharges
Seasonality
* Startup cost excludes budget lines we haven't sourced yet.
Risk Meter
Eight factors from this guide's own data, each scored 1 (lowest risk) to 5 (highest). Every score shows why.
Overall risk
Moderate
2.2 out of 5
Average of 6 of 8 factors, weighted equally. 1 is the lowest risk and 5 the highest. It measures risk, not how much you'll earn, and it isn't a prediction. How we score risk.
Money at risk
Not scoredAt least $7,534
2 startup lines aren't sourced yet, so the real total is higher. We'll score this once the budget is complete.
Time to earn it back
Not scoredNot scored yet
Some startup or operating cost lines aren't sourced yet, so a payback time would look shorter than it really is.
Franchise closure rate
2 / 55.7% a yearPending verificationSourcesCarePatrol 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 18, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Oasis Senior Advisors 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 17, 2026, as amended June 15, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Assisted Living Locators 2026 FDD, marked (redlined) copy (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Closures = terminations + non-renewals + outlets that ceased operations, divided by franchised outlets at the start of the year.
Average of 3 brands: CarePatrol 3.5% (2025); Oasis Senior Advisors 4.3% (2025); Assisted Living Locators 9.3% (2025). Our calculation from each FDD's Item 20.
Loan default rate
3 / 56.5% vs 7.2% for all industriesPending verificationSourceSBA 7(a) FOIA loan-level data, files as of September 30, 2026 (our count by NAICS code)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Charged off = the SBA wrote off the unpaid balance after the borrower stopped paying. An industry code can include businesses unlike this one.
48 of 734 SBA 7(a) loans to Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (NAICS 624120), approved FY2010–2019, were charged off. Our count from the SBA's loan-level data; 96 loans were still open, so the final rate may be slightly higher.
Demand trend
3 / 5About the samePending verificationSourcesU.S. Census Bureau — County Business Patterns 2019, U.S. file (cbp19us)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026U.S. Census Bureau — County Business Patterns 2023, U.S. file (cbp23us)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026
Services for the elderly and persons with disabilities (NAICS 624120), the nearest code we found for senior placement, employer establishments +6.6% (37,784 to 40,265) vs +5.1% for all industries, 2019–2023. Most businesses in this code are home care agencies, so treat this as loose evidence.
Licensing and rules
1 / 5Light
No state license or registration for assisted living referrals; you must follow the placement-agency rules in Health and Safety Code §1569.47, and a CDPH referral agency license is needed only for paid referrals to nursing homes (see Licensing).
Customer concentration
3 / 5A few large customers or referral partners
Families don't pay; your income comes from referral fees paid by a limited number of local senior living communities, and many clients come through referral partners such as hospital discharge planners, doctors and elder-law attorneys.
Physical demand
1 / 5Low
From the guide's at-a-glance rating; see the risks section for details.
Franchise vs. Independent
Same type of business. Two very different paths.
| Franchise (3 brands) | Independent | |
|---|---|---|
| Franchise fee | $40,000 – $80,000Pending verificationSourcesCarePatrol 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 18, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Oasis Senior Advisors 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 17, 2026, as amended June 15, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Assisted Living Locators 2026 FDD, marked (redlined) copy (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Range across 3 franchise brands. | $0 |
| Initial investment | $63,089 – $135,770Pending verificationSourcesCarePatrol 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 18, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Oasis Senior Advisors 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 17, 2026, as amended June 15, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Assisted Living Locators 2026 FDD, marked (redlined) copy (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 7 estimated initial investment (includes the franchise fee), across 3 brands. | $3,739 – $7,534*Pending verificationSourcesCalifornia Secretary of State — LLC (domestic) forms and fees(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026California Franchise Tax Board — limited liability company(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026National Placement and Referral Alliance (NPRA) — Registering for the CPRS exam(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Oasis Senior Advisors 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 17, 2026, as amended June 15, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026CarePatrol 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 18, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Assisted Living Locators 2026 FDD, marked (redlined) copy (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Computed from 6 startup budget line items: lean plan low to professional plan high. Some lines are not sourced yet and are excluded. |
| Ongoing royalties | 6% – 12% of revenuePending verificationSourcesCarePatrol 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 18, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Oasis Senior Advisors 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 17, 2026, as amended June 15, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Assisted Living Locators 2026 FDD, marked (redlined) copy (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Percent of gross revenue, across 3 brands. | None |
| Operating costs (5 years) | $19,375 – $31,875Pending verificationSourcesCarePatrol 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 18, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Assisted Living Locators 2026 FDD, marked (redlined) copy (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026National Placement and Referral Alliance (NPRA) — Membership information(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026California Franchise Tax Board — limited liability company(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Five years of the operating costs we have sourced so far (insurance, software, fees), charged to both paths. | $19,375 – $31,875 |
| Brand, training, and support | Included | You build your own |
| 5-year total cost | $153,770 – $410,971 | $23,114 – $39,409* |
Franchise fee
- Franchise (3 brands)
- $40,000 – $80,000Pending verificationSourcesCarePatrol 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 18, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Oasis Senior Advisors 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 17, 2026, as amended June 15, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Assisted Living Locators 2026 FDD, marked (redlined) copy (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Range across 3 franchise brands.
- Independent
- $0
Initial investment
- Franchise (3 brands)
- $63,089 – $135,770Pending verificationSourcesCarePatrol 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 18, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Oasis Senior Advisors 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 17, 2026, as amended June 15, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Assisted Living Locators 2026 FDD, marked (redlined) copy (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 7 estimated initial investment (includes the franchise fee), across 3 brands.
- Independent
- $3,739 – $7,534*Pending verificationSourcesCalifornia Secretary of State — LLC (domestic) forms and fees(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026California Franchise Tax Board — limited liability company(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026National Placement and Referral Alliance (NPRA) — Registering for the CPRS exam(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Oasis Senior Advisors 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 17, 2026, as amended June 15, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026CarePatrol 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 18, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Assisted Living Locators 2026 FDD, marked (redlined) copy (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Computed from 6 startup budget line items: lean plan low to professional plan high. Some lines are not sourced yet and are excluded.
Ongoing royalties
- Franchise (3 brands)
- 6% – 12% of revenuePending verificationSourcesCarePatrol 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 18, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Oasis Senior Advisors 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 17, 2026, as amended June 15, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Assisted Living Locators 2026 FDD, marked (redlined) copy (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Percent of gross revenue, across 3 brands.
- Independent
- None
Operating costs (5 years)
- Franchise (3 brands)
- $19,375 – $31,875Pending verificationSourcesCarePatrol 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 18, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Assisted Living Locators 2026 FDD, marked (redlined) copy (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026National Placement and Referral Alliance (NPRA) — Membership information(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026California Franchise Tax Board — limited liability company(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Five years of the operating costs we have sourced so far (insurance, software, fees), charged to both paths.
- Independent
- $19,375 – $31,875
Brand, training, and support
- Franchise (3 brands)
- Included
- Independent
- You build your own
5-year total cost
- Franchise (3 brands)
- $153,770 – $410,971
- Independent
- $23,114 – $39,409*
5-year totals assume $136,500–$322,010 in yearly revenue (our forecast presets at full volume), the same sourced operating costs (insurance, software, fees) on both paths, and both the lean and professional independent plans. Franchise investment figures come from each brand's disclosure (FDD Item 7) and already include the franchise fee. * Excludes independent startup lines we haven't sourced yet. Adjust the assumptions.
What franchisees report taking in
From each brand's own disclosure (FDD Item 19), copied exactly. These are gross sales before royalties and costs, not profit, and not a promise of what you will earn.
CarePatrol
Item 19 reports 2025 average and median gross sales by territory and by owner, grouped by time in business, plus 2025 placement fees and a system-wide average income statement.
- Average 2025 gross sales per territory (174 territories open before 2025; gross sales, not profit)$322,639 a yearPending verificationSourceCarePatrol 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 18, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 202657 of 174 (33%) reached this average. FDD Item 19, Table A (gross sales by franchise territory open before January 1, 2025, for all of 2025), from unaudited franchisee revenue reports. Excludes 22 territories open less than a year, 17 that did not report correctly or halted development, and one two-territory franchisee that reports as one. Gross sales before royalties and all expenses — not profit. Some outlets have earned this amount; your results may differ.
- Median 2025 gross sales per territory (same 174 territories; gross sales, not profit)$186,094 a yearPending verificationSourceCarePatrol 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 18, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19, Table A (gross sales by franchise territory open before January 1, 2025, for all of 2025), from unaudited franchisee revenue reports. Excludes 22 territories open less than a year, 17 that did not report correctly or halted development, and one two-territory franchisee that reports as one. Gross sales before royalties and all expenses — not profit. Some outlets have earned this amount; your results may differ.
- Median 2025 gross sales, territories in business 13–36 months (47 territories; gross sales, not profit)$80,225 a yearPending verificationSourceCarePatrol 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 18, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Average for this group: $106,790; lowest $11,255. FDD Item 19, Table A (gross sales by franchise territory open before January 1, 2025, for all of 2025), from unaudited franchisee revenue reports. Excludes 22 territories open less than a year, 17 that did not report correctly or halted development, and one two-territory franchisee that reports as one. Gross sales before royalties and all expenses — not profit. Some outlets have earned this amount; your results may differ.
- Median 2025 gross sales, territories in business 60+ months (95 territories; gross sales, not profit)$331,325 a yearPending verificationSourceCarePatrol 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 18, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Average for this group: $465,173. FDD Item 19, Table A (gross sales by franchise territory open before January 1, 2025, for all of 2025), from unaudited franchisee revenue reports. Excludes 22 territories open less than a year, 17 that did not report correctly or halted development, and one two-territory franchisee that reports as one. Gross sales before royalties and all expenses — not profit. Some outlets have earned this amount; your results may differ.
Oasis Senior Advisors
Item 19 reports 2025 gross revenue by quartile for 114 franchised businesses open all of 2025, plus the average and median referral fee per placement.
- Median 2025 gross revenue, top quarter of franchised businesses (29 businesses; gross revenue, not profit)$441,140 a yearPending verificationSourceOasis Senior Advisors 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 17, 2026, as amended June 15, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Range in this quarter: $344,009 to $1,213,022; average $548,795. FDD Item 19, 114 franchised businesses that operated all of 2025, split into quartiles of 28–29 businesses by gross revenue; unaudited. Excludes 28 businesses that did not operate the whole year, including five that closed. Gross revenue before royalties and all expenses — not profit. Some businesses have earned this amount; your results may differ.
- Median 2025 gross revenue, second quarter of franchised businesses (28 businesses; gross revenue, not profit)$232,520 a yearPending verificationSourceOasis Senior Advisors 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 17, 2026, as amended June 15, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Range in this quarter: $189,179 to $322,559. FDD Item 19, 114 franchised businesses that operated all of 2025, split into quartiles of 28–29 businesses by gross revenue; unaudited. Excludes 28 businesses that did not operate the whole year, including five that closed. Gross revenue before royalties and all expenses — not profit. Some businesses have earned this amount; your results may differ.
- Median 2025 gross revenue, third quarter of franchised businesses (28 businesses; gross revenue, not profit)$126,712 a yearPending verificationSourceOasis Senior Advisors 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 17, 2026, as amended June 15, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Range in this quarter: $99,379 to $185,505. FDD Item 19, 114 franchised businesses that operated all of 2025, split into quartiles of 28–29 businesses by gross revenue; unaudited. Excludes 28 businesses that did not operate the whole year, including five that closed. Gross revenue before royalties and all expenses — not profit. Some businesses have earned this amount; your results may differ.
- Median 2025 gross revenue, bottom quarter of franchised businesses (29 businesses; gross revenue, not profit)$66,449 a yearPending verificationSourceOasis Senior Advisors 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 17, 2026, as amended June 15, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Range in this quarter: $8,591 to $96,455. FDD Item 19, 114 franchised businesses that operated all of 2025, split into quartiles of 28–29 businesses by gross revenue; unaudited. Excludes 28 businesses that did not operate the whole year, including five that closed. Gross revenue before royalties and all expenses — not profit. Some businesses have earned this amount; your results may differ.
Assisted Living Locators
Item 19 reports 2025 gross invoiced and gross collected revenue for 106 full-time franchisees who operated all of 2025, grouped by number of territories owned.
- Average 2025 gross invoiced revenue, all 106 qualifying franchisees (revenue billed, not profit)$222,762 a yearPending verificationSourceAssisted Living Locators 2026 FDD, marked (redlined) copy (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 202639 of 106 (36.8%) reached this average. Some franchisees own two to four territories. FDD Item 19, 106 'Qualifying Franchisees' who operated all of 2025 with at least one owner working full time; passive owners and franchisees who opened in 2025 are excluded. Unaudited franchisee reports. Revenue before royalties and all expenses — not profit. Read from the 2026 marked (redlined) FDD, the only 2026 copy on Minnesota CARDS; we took the underlined (new) figures. Your results may differ.
- Median 2025 gross invoiced revenue, all 106 qualifying franchisees (revenue billed, not profit)$143,806 a yearPending verificationSourceAssisted Living Locators 2026 FDD, marked (redlined) copy (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Single-territory owners (83): median $139,567. FDD Item 19, 106 'Qualifying Franchisees' who operated all of 2025 with at least one owner working full time; passive owners and franchisees who opened in 2025 are excluded. Unaudited franchisee reports. Revenue before royalties and all expenses — not profit. Read from the 2026 marked (redlined) FDD, the only 2026 copy on Minnesota CARDS; we took the underlined (new) figures. Your results may differ.
- Average 2025 gross collected revenue, all 106 qualifying franchisees (cash actually collected, not profit)$199,852 a yearPending verificationSourceAssisted Living Locators 2026 FDD, marked (redlined) copy (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 202635 of 106 (33.0%) reached this average. The FDD notes collected revenue can be well below invoiced revenue, for example when a resident dies or moves out early. FDD Item 19, 106 'Qualifying Franchisees' who operated all of 2025 with at least one owner working full time; passive owners and franchisees who opened in 2025 are excluded. Unaudited franchisee reports. Revenue before royalties and all expenses — not profit. Read from the 2026 marked (redlined) FDD, the only 2026 copy on Minnesota CARDS; we took the underlined (new) figures. Your results may differ.
- Median 2025 gross collected revenue, all 106 qualifying franchisees (cash actually collected, not profit)$133,967 a yearPending verificationSourceAssisted Living Locators 2026 FDD, marked (redlined) copy (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026FDD Item 19, 106 'Qualifying Franchisees' who operated all of 2025 with at least one owner working full time; passive owners and franchisees who opened in 2025 are excluded. Unaudited franchisee reports. Revenue before royalties and all expenses — not profit. Read from the 2026 marked (redlined) FDD, the only 2026 copy on Minnesota CARDS; we took the underlined (new) figures. Your results may differ.
What a franchise does give you
Franchises cost more, but the fees buy real things. Weigh them honestly.
- A national placement brand with more than 200 franchised territories
- Initial training at headquarters and on-site in your territory
- A contact center that answers calls for your office
- National partnerships with senior living companies that pay placement fees through the franchisor
- Its own client-tracking software
- Initial training and a Manual Suite covering community agreements and typical referral fees
- The franchisor signs referral agreements with regional and national senior living chains
- Its own software (Oasis IQ) for clients, communities and invoicing
- Affiliated online referral services that can send leads to established franchisees
- A network of other owners to learn from
- A home-based placement brand with more than 100 franchisees
- Pre-opening training plus two days of on-site training in your territory
- Dementia care certification for one person included in the set-up fee
- A franchisor-run marketing launch for your first 60 days
Going independent means
- You keep 100% of what you earn after costs — no royalties.
- You build your own brand, systems, and customer base.
- You need more self-reliance, especially in the first year.
Startup Budget
One-time costs to launch, from cited sources. Totals are added up from the lines below.
| Item | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| California LLC filing (Articles of Organization and Statement of Information)Pending verificationSourceCalifornia Secretary of State — LLC (domestic) forms and fees(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026$70 for the Articles of Organization plus $20 for the Statement of Information. A sole proprietor can skip this. | $90 | $90 | $90 |
| California LLC annual tax (first year)Pending verificationSourceCalifornia Franchise Tax Board — limited liability company(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Every LLC organized or doing business in California owes $800 a year. Only if you form an LLC. | $800 | $800 | $800 |
| City or county business license | Data coming soon | ||
| NPRA Certified Placement and Referral Specialist (CPRS) examPending verificationSourceNational Placement and Referral Alliance (NPRA) — Registering for the CPRS exam(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026NPRA member price for a first remote test; the non-member price is $749. Voluntary — California does not require it. NPRA annual dues are under operating costs. | $349 | $349 | $349 |
| Laptop and smartphonePending verificationSourceAssisted Living Locators 2026 FDD, marked (redlined) copy (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 24, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Assisted Living Locators' FDD Item 7 (Note 3) estimate to buy a new smartphone and computer. Skip this if you already own suitable ones. | $1,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 |
| Client-tracking (CRM), website and invoicing software | Data coming soon | ||
| Marketing launch (cards, brochures, introductions to hospitals, doctors and communities)Pending verificationSourceCarePatrol 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 18, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026The amount CarePatrol's FDD (Item 7, working-capital note) suggests setting aside to introduce a new office to the local community. A franchisor's suggestion, not an independent cost survey. | $1,500 | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| Total (sourced lines only) | $3,739 | $4,739 | $5,739 |
Share of mid estimate
- California LLC filing (Articles of Organization and Statement of Information)2%
- California LLC annual tax (first year)17%
- NPRA Certified Placement and Referral Specialist (CPRS) exam7%
- Laptop and smartphone42%
- Marketing launch (cards, brochures, introductions to hospitals, doctors and communities)32%
Budget spreadsheet
Every line with its sources, included in the complete kit.
Mid is the halfway point between low and high where a source gives only a range.
The total leaves out 2 lines we haven't sourced yet. We don't guess.
24-Month Forecast
An example to plan with. Every assumption is yours to change.
This is an estimate, not a prediction
Average fee is the Oasis Senior Advisors 2025 median referral fee ($3,500, FDD Item 19), which already includes $0 Medicaid placements and split fees. Placements per week, the 12-month ramp, variable costs (mileage, marketing, refunds when a resident leaves early) and the flat seasonality are our assumptions, not operator data. Change any assumption to match your market. Your results will differ.
- Break-even
- Month 2
- Year-1 revenue
- $91,000
- Year-2 profit
- $110,901
Show monthly table
| Month | Jobs | Revenue | Costs | Profit | Cumulative cash |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Mar) | 1.1 | $3,792 | $996 | $2,796 | -$1,943 |
| 2 (Apr) | 1.3 | $4,481 | $1,099 | $3,382 | $1,439 |
| 3 (May) | 1.5 | $5,170 | $1,203 | $3,968 | $5,407 |
| 4 (Jun) | 1.7 | $5,860 | $1,306 | $4,554 | $9,961 |
| 5 (Jul) | 1.9 | $6,549 | $1,409 | $5,140 | $15,100 |
| 6 (Aug) | 2.1 | $7,239 | $1,513 | $5,726 | $20,826 |
| 7 (Sep) | 2.3 | $7,928 | $1,616 | $6,312 | $27,138 |
| 8 (Oct) | 2.5 | $8,617 | $1,720 | $6,898 | $34,036 |
| 9 (Nov) | 2.7 | $9,307 | $1,823 | $7,484 | $41,520 |
| 10 (Dec) | 2.9 | $9,996 | $1,926 | $8,070 | $49,589 |
| 11 (Jan) | 3.1 | $10,686 | $2,030 | $8,656 | $58,245 |
| 12 (Feb) | 3.3 | $11,375 | $2,133 | $9,242 | $67,487 |
| 13 (Mar) | 3.3 | $11,375 | $2,133 | $9,242 | $76,729 |
| 14 (Apr) | 3.3 | $11,375 | $2,133 | $9,242 | $85,971 |
| 15 (May) | 3.3 | $11,375 | $2,133 | $9,242 | $95,212 |
| 16 (Jun) | 3.3 | $11,375 | $2,133 | $9,242 | $104,454 |
| 17 (Jul) | 3.3 | $11,375 | $2,133 | $9,242 | $113,696 |
| 18 (Aug) | 3.3 | $11,375 | $2,133 | $9,242 | $122,938 |
| 19 (Sep) | 3.3 | $11,375 | $2,133 | $9,242 | $132,179 |
| 20 (Oct) | 3.3 | $11,375 | $2,133 | $9,242 | $141,421 |
| 21 (Nov) | 3.3 | $11,375 | $2,133 | $9,242 | $150,663 |
| 22 (Dec) | 3.3 | $11,375 | $2,133 | $9,242 | $159,905 |
| 23 (Jan) | 3.3 | $11,375 | $2,133 | $9,242 | $169,146 |
| 24 (Feb) | 3.3 | $11,375 | $2,133 | $9,242 | $178,388 |
Pricing
What customers typically pay, from large-sample cost data.
What customers pay
- Average fee a community paid per placement (CarePatrol offices, 2025)$5,238Pending verificationSourceCarePatrol 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 18, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Paid by the senior living community, not the family. FDD Item 19, Table C: 210 franchised territories, unaudited; median $4,954, range $500 to $30,000. Families pay nothing.
- Median fee a community paid per placement (CarePatrol offices, 2025)$4,954Pending verificationSourceCarePatrol 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 18, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Paid by the senior living community, not the family. FDD Item 19, Table C: 210 franchised territories, unaudited.
- Average referral fee per placement (Oasis Senior Advisors offices, 2025)$3,834.53Pending verificationSourceOasis Senior Advisors 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 17, 2026, as amended June 15, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Paid by the community, not the family. FDD Item 19: 142 franchised businesses; median $3,500, range $0 to $34,710. Includes $0 placements (for example, residents on Medicaid) and fees split between two offices. The FDD says communities typically pay 70% to 100% of the resident's first month of rent and care charges, or 50% of the first month plus 25% to 50% of the second.
- Median referral fee per placement (Oasis Senior Advisors offices, 2025)$3,500Pending verificationSourceOasis Senior Advisors 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 17, 2026, as amended June 15, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Paid by the community, not the family. FDD Item 19: 142 franchised businesses, including $0 placements and split fees.
What similar businesses take in
Context only, not a promise of what you will earn. Government figures cover every business in the industry; guide figures are rougher. Tap the source icon to see which is which. These are revenue, before costs.
- Average yearly receipts per 'services for the elderly and persons with disabilities' firm with fewer than 5 employees (NAICS 624120, U.S. employer firms, 2022)$134,508 a yearPending verificationSourceU.S. Census Bureau — Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, U.S. and states, 6-digit NAICS (us_state_6digitnaics_2022)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Calculated by us from the Census table: $2,087,425,000 in receipts across 15,519 firms, rounded to the nearest dollar. There is no NAICS code just for senior living placement. We use NAICS 624120 (Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities) as the nearest fit because it covers services for older adults, but most businesses in it are non-medical home care agencies with paid caregivers, so their receipts are not a close match for a referral advisor. Treat this as loose context. Receipts are gross revenue, not profit. Shown for context only — not a promise or prediction of your results.
- Average yearly receipts per 'services for the elderly and persons with disabilities' firm with fewer than 5 employees in California (NAICS 624120, employer firms, 2022)$211,899 a yearPending verificationSourceU.S. Census Bureau — Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, U.S. and states, 6-digit NAICS (us_state_6digitnaics_2022)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Calculated by us from the Census table: $227,368,000 in receipts across 1,073 California firms, rounded to the nearest dollar. There is no NAICS code just for senior living placement. We use NAICS 624120 (Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities) as the nearest fit because it covers services for older adults, but most businesses in it are non-medical home care agencies with paid caregivers, so their receipts are not a close match for a referral advisor. Treat this as loose context. Receipts are gross revenue, not profit. Shown for context only — not a promise or prediction of your results.
- Average yearly receipts per nonemployer (solo, no payroll) 'individual and family services' business (NAICS 6241, U.S., 2024)$33,395 a yearPending verificationSourceU.S. Census Bureau — Nonemployer Statistics 2024, U.S. file (nonemp24us)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Calculated by us from the Census file: $6,775,490,000 in receipts across 202,887 nonemployer businesses, rounded to the nearest dollar. Census publishes nonemployer figures only at the broader 4-digit level (6241), which also includes child, youth and family services. Many are part-time. There is no NAICS code just for senior living placement. We use NAICS 624120 (Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities) as the nearest fit because it covers services for older adults, but most businesses in it are non-medical home care agencies with paid caregivers, so their receipts are not a close match for a referral advisor. Treat this as loose context. Receipts are gross revenue, not profit. Shown for context only — not a promise or prediction of your results.
Key Risks and How to Manage Them
Your income depends on facilities agreeing to pay you
Families pay nothing, so you earn only when a community you have a signed referral agreement with admits your client. Communities set the terms, can decline to sign, and can stop paying. Oasis's FDD, for example, requires franchisees to sign agreements with at least 30% of local communities within 90 days, and says compensation varies from community to community.
How to manage it: Start signing referral agreements before you launch, put every fee and refund term in writing, and keep a broad list of communities so no single one controls your income.
Fees that are reduced or never paid
If a resident dies or moves out soon after moving in, the community may pay less or nothing. CarePatrol's FDD lets franchisees subtract these 'unrealized placement fees' from gross sales, and Assisted Living Locators' FDD notes collected revenue can be well below what was invoiced. Residents on Medicaid usually generate no fee at all.
How to manage it: Read each agreement's refund window, invoice promptly, track what is actually collected (not just billed), and keep a cash reserve.
Liability if a placement goes badly
If a senior is hurt, neglected or abused in a community you recommended, the family may blame you. In California it is a misdemeanor to place someone in an assisted living home that cannot care for them within its license, or to refer anyone to an unlicensed facility.
How to manage it: Check every facility's license and inspection history on the CDSS Care Facility Search before recommending it, visit in person, document the client's care needs, and carry general and professional liability insurance.
Competition from national online referral services and free public tools
Large online referral services, such as A Place for Mom (which sponsored California's 2024 referral-agency bill), compete for the same families, and the State of California funds a free comparison site, CalLongTermCareCompare.org. Many families find a community on their own.
How to manage it: Compete on what a website can't do: local visits, tours with the family, and steady relationships with hospital discharge planners, doctors, elder-law attorneys and home care agencies.
A slow first two years
Referral relationships take time. In CarePatrol's FDD, territories in business 13–36 months had 2025 median gross sales of $80,225, against $331,325 for territories open five years or more. Oasis's bottom quarter had a median of $66,449.
How to manage it: Plan for at least a year of thin income, keep your costs low (this business runs from home), and track your referral sources so you know which ones produce placements.
Conflict-of-interest scrutiny and changing law
Because communities pay you, critics argue advisors steer families toward the facilities that pay most. California's governor vetoed a 2022 bill partly on that concern, and the Legislature has tried at least six times since 2015 to license or regulate these advisors. New rules could add a license, disclosures or insurance minimums.
How to manage it: Tell every family in writing that communities pay you and which ones you have agreements with, show options you are not paid for when they fit better, and follow NPRA's Code of Ethics.
Emotional weight and short-notice work
Most calls come during a crisis: a fall, a hospital discharge or a dementia diagnosis. Families are stressed and may disagree, and timelines are measured in days.
How to manage it: Set clear expectations at the first meeting, keep a short list of communities that can take quick admissions, and build in time off so you don't burn out.
Licensing by State
Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction.
More states are coming.
A general guide only. Rules change and vary by city and county — confirm with your local government before you start.
Placement agency rules (Health and Safety Code §1569.47)
Pending verificationPending verificationSourceCalifornia Health and Safety Code §1569.47 (placement agencies, residential care facilities for the elderly)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026California's definition of a 'placement agency' includes any private agency providing placement or referral services for elderly people. A placement agency may not place a person in an assisted living home (RCFE) that cannot care for them within the limits of its license, and may not place, refer or recommend anyone to a care facility that is not licensed as an RCFE (or exempt). Both are misdemeanors. You must report any facility you know or suspect is operating without a license, and report known or suspected abuse, unsafe or unsanitary conditions, or understaffing to the licensing agency.
Verify with the CDSS Community Care Licensing — Care Facility Search(opens in a new tab)No state license or registration for assisted living referrals (as of October 2026)
Pending verificationPending verificationSourcesCalifornia Senate Judiciary Committee analysis of SB 875 (Glazer), hearing January 11, 2024(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026California Legislative Information — SB 875 (2023–24) bill status: died November 30, 2024(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026California Legislative Information — AB 499 (2021–22) bill status and Governor's veto message, September 27, 2022(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026A Senate Judiciary Committee analysis (January 2024) describes private referral sources for assisted living as unregulated: they typically refer families for free and are paid by the facility. Bills to license them and require fee disclosures have failed: AB 499 was vetoed in September 2022 and SB 875 died in November 2024. We found no California law that requires you to disclose your referral fee to families, and no CDSS Community Care Licensing guidance written for referral advisors. What is unclear: whether any 2025–26 bill or regulation has changed this. Confirm with CDSS Community Care Licensing before you start.
Verify with the CDSS Community Care Licensing Division(opens in a new tab)CDPH referral agency license — only for paid referrals to nursing homes
Pending verificationPending verificationSourcesCalifornia Health and Safety Code §§1400–1413 (Referral Agencies, Chapter 2.3)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026California Department of Public Health — FY 2026-27 Annual Fee Report, Table 1: Health Care Facility License Fees(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Oasis Senior Advisors 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 17, 2026, as amended June 15, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026Health and Safety Code §1400 makes it unlawful to refer anyone for pay to a skilled nursing, extended care or intermediate care facility without a referral agency license from the California Department of Public Health. The application must include your fee schedule, and you may not have a financial interest in any facility you do business with (§1404, §1405). Referring without a license carries a civil penalty equal to the fees received (§1412). The FY 2026-27 license fee is $1,678 a year (plus $1,244 in Los Angeles County), and CDPH lists only 3 licensed referral agencies statewide. Oasis Senior Advisors' California FDD addendum tells franchisees to comply with these sections.
Verify with the California Department of Public Health — Licensing and Certification fees(opens in a new tab)Referral fees involving Medi-Cal or Medicare
Pending verificationPending verificationSourcesCalifornia Welfare and Institutions Code §14107.2 (Medi-Cal kickbacks)(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026HHS Office of Inspector General — Fraud & Abuse Laws (Anti-Kickback Statute, 42 U.S.C. §1320a-7b(b))(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Oasis Senior Advisors 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued April 17, 2026, as amended June 15, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026California makes it a crime to receive any payment in return for referring someone for a service paid for in whole or in part by Medi-Cal (Welfare and Institutions Code §14107.2), and the federal Anti-Kickback Statute makes paying or receiving remuneration for referrals of Medicare or Medicaid business a crime. Oasis Senior Advisors' FDD says its offices may not collect a fee for a client on Medicaid. What is unclear: how these laws apply when an assisted living community is paid partly through a Medi-Cal program for a particular resident. Get a health care attorney's opinion before accepting any fee tied to a Medi-Cal resident.
Verify with the HHS Office of Inspector General — Fraud & Abuse Laws(opens in a new tab)City or county business license
Pending verificationRequired almost everywhere in California. Check with the city where your business is based.
NPRA membership, CPRS and CSA credentials — voluntary
Pending verificationPending verificationSourcesNational Placement and Referral Alliance (NPRA) — Membership information(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026National Placement and Referral Alliance (NPRA) — Registering for the CPRS exam(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026CarePatrol 2026 FDD (Minnesota CARDS), issued March 18, 2026(opens in a new tab)Tier 1 · Primary source · Accessed October 31, 2026Last verified October 31, 2026California does not require any credential to work as a placement advisor. The National Placement and Referral Alliance offers membership with a code of ethics and a public agent directory, and a Certified Placement and Referral Specialist (CPRS) exam. CarePatrol, Oasis and Assisted Living Locators all require their owners to earn the Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) designation.
Verify with the National Placement and Referral Alliance (NPRA)(opens in a new tab)
The Playbook
A step-by-step guide from setup to growth.
Phase 1
Setup
- Choose your business structure and register it
- Get general and professional liability insurance
- Write a family disclosure that explains how communities pay you
- Draft a referral agreement for communities, with fee and refund terms
- Learn to check licenses and inspection reports on the CDSS Care Facility Search
- Decide whether to join NPRA and take the CPRS or CSA training
Phase 2
Signing community agreements
Included in the complete kit
Phase 3
Building referral sources
Included in the complete kit
Phase 4
Launch
Included in the complete kit
Phase 5
Working with a family
Included in the complete kit
Phase 6
Invoicing and collections
Included in the complete kit
Phase 7
Growth
Included in the complete kit
Suppliers and Tools
Vendors independent operators use.
No supplier pays to be listed. If we ever earn a referral fee from a link, it will say “Affiliate link” right next to it.
Trade association and training
Ethics standards, a referral directory and credentials for placement advisors.
Facility license and quality lookups
Free public tools for checking a community's license and inspection history.
The Kit Is Coming
Everything on this page is free. The downloadable kit (playbook, spreadsheets, templates) is in the works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a franchise?
No. The Open Franchise is not a franchise and does not sell franchises. You start and own your business yourself, with no franchise fee, royalties, or territory rules. We sell guides and kits; that's all.
Who pays me, and how much?
Usually the senior living community the client moves into, not the family. Franchise FDDs describe fees based on the resident's first month of rent and care: Oasis Senior Advisors says typically 70% to 100% of the first month. In 2025, CarePatrol offices reported a median fee of $4,954 per placement and Oasis offices a median of $3,500. Residents on Medicaid usually bring no fee.
Do I need a license in California?
Not for assisted living referrals, as far as we could find in October 2026, but you must follow the placement agency rules in Health and Safety Code §1569.47, including never referring to an unlicensed facility. If you are paid for referrals to skilled nursing homes, you need a referral agency license from the California Department of Public Health. Confirm both with the state before you start.
Is demand growing?
The U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 national population projections show Americans aged 85 and older growing from about 7.05 million in 2025 to about 13.68 million in 2040. That is a projection, not a guarantee of business for any one advisor.
Are these numbers guaranteed?
No. Every cost and price is from a cited source, shown with the date we last checked it. Franchise revenue figures are gross sales reported by franchisees, not profit, and your results will depend on your market and the relationships you build.
Figures last verified October 31, 2026. Every number links to its source. See all sources for this page.