Violation

California Code § 87465(h)Centrally Stored Medication

How CCLD inspectors cite this regulation, what operators do to stay clear of it, and where it appears in the public record.

Type B, generalAffects rcfe68 facilities cited in the last 90 days

What does Type A vs Type B mean?

Type A. Serious citation. Imminent or substantial risk to residents. The regulator requires corrective action immediately and may impose a civil penalty.

Type B. Lower-severity citation. Corrective action required, no imminent risk. The regulator monitors compliance on the next visit.

Educational reference based on public CCLD inspection records. Not legal or compliance advice. Verify requirements with official sources. Full disclaimer

Regulation text

What California Code § 87465(h) actually says

California Code § 87465(h)

The following requirements shall apply to medications which are centrally stored:

From the field

What operators tell us about this citation

Based on community experience, not official guidance.

66 California RCFEs were cited for this. Lock the med cart the second a pass ends, not at the end of the shift. An LPA who spots an open cart during the first walk-through writes a Type B citation on the spot.

By the numbers

68^*CCLD: facilities cited in the last 90 days
18^*CCLD: counties where this citation appeared
--^*CCLD: rank among most-common citations
Trajectory: Steady; Last 90 days vs. previous 90 days.

68 facilities were cited for this in the last 90 days. See if yours is one of them.

Check a facility

What other operators do

Common practices to stay clear of Centrally Stored Medication

Common practices shared by operators. Confirm requirements with your licensing analyst.

Common practices

Keep centrally stored medications in a secure, locked location residents cannot access.
Store each medication in its original, properly labeled container.
Control access so only authorized staff handle centrally stored medications.

What to avoid

Leaving the medication cart or cabinet unlocked between passes.
Storing medications in unlabeled or transferred containers.
Letting unauthorized staff or residents reach stored medications.

Regional record

Where this citation appeared in the past 90 days

Citation counts and rates by California county, drawn from CCLD inspection records.

Regional citations for Centrally Stored Medication, last 90 days
County	Citations
Santa Clara	12
Los Angeles	9
Ventura	7
Fresno	5
Marin	4
Solano	4
Sonoma	4
Sacramento	4
Alameda	3
Contra Costa	3

SOURCE

*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citations2026-07-13Updated weekly

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Answers based on public CCLD data and regulation text. May not reflect recent changes.

What is a centrally stored medication violation under Section 87465(h)?

A Section 87465(h) violation means your facility did not follow the required safeguards for medications it stores centrally, such as keeping them locked, labeled, and accessible only to authorized staff. This matters because residents depend on getting the correct medication, in the correct dose, from a controlled supply. Weak storage leads to missed doses, mix-ups, or access by someone who should not have it.

How common is this violation in California assisted living?

It is one of the more frequently cited medication deficiencies, though still uncommon overall. According to California CCLD records, 66 California RCFEs were cited under Section 87465(h), about 0.50% of facilities, across 72 citations. Most are Type B, a potential risk that must be corrected before it harms residents. Santa Clara County leads with 12 citations, followed by Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

What happens if an RCFE is cited for this violation?

An LPA records the deficiency and gives you a correction deadline. Section 87465(h) citations are usually Type B, so you have time to fix the storage gap before it becomes an immediate risk. Type A citations are more serious and carry higher civil penalties. If the unsafe storage is tied to a medication error or resident harm, expect closer review and a possible follow-up visit.

How do I fix or prevent a stored medication citation?

Lock the medication cart or cabinet between every pass, not just overnight. Confirm each container keeps its original pharmacy label and that nothing is stored loose. Limit cart keys to trained, authorized staff and log who holds them. Run a weekly check of labels, expiration dates, and the lock itself. Most of these steps take minutes per shift and remove the gap inspectors target.

Does a medication storage violation affect my RCFE license?

A single Type B citation will not end your license on its own, but it joins your public CCLD inspection record that families and referral sources read. Repeated or uncorrected medication violations can bring civil penalties, more frequent visits, and stronger enforcement by Community Care Licensing. Correcting the issue by the deadline and keeping storage tight is the surest way to protect your license.

Related violations

Other citations in this regulation family

This information is educational and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed residential care compliance consultant for guidance specific to your facility. Citation data is sourced from California Community Care Licensing Division public records and is refreshed regularly.

Every California assisted living facility's citation record is free to read. Browse facilities by county or look one up by name.

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