Violation

California Code § 87465(h)(2)Medication Storage

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

Type A, seriousAffects rcfe844 facilities cited in the last 90 days

ℹ️ 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)(2) actually says

California Code § 87465(h)(2)

Centrally stored medicines shall be kept in a safe and locked place that is not accessible to persons other than employees responsible for the supervision of the centrally stored medication.

From the field

What providers tell us about this citation

Based on community experience, not official guidance.

Lock the med cart every single time you turn away, even for thirty seconds. 721 California RCFEs have been cited for this, and it is a Type A finding. An LPA who sees an unattended open cart writes the citation on the spot and schedules a return visit.

By the numbers

844^*CCLD: facilities cited in the last 90 days
34^*CCLD: counties where this citation appeared
--^*CCLD: rank among most-common citations
Trajectory: Steady

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

Check a facility

What other providers do

Common practices to stay clear of Medication Storage

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

Common practices

Keep all centrally stored medications locked when not in use
Limit access to staff responsible for medication supervision
Store the supply in a secure location residents cannot enter

What to avoid

Leaving the medication cart unlocked during a pass or a distraction
Leaving the key in the lock or shared loosely among staff
Storing medications in an open or resident-accessible area

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 Medication Storage, last 90 days
County	Citations	Facilities	Citation rate
Los Angeles	110	--	--
Contra Costa	87	--	--
Orange	85	--	--
Sacramento	76	--	--
Alameda	54	--	--
San Diego	32	--	--
Kern	29	--	--
Fresno	28	--	--
Santa Clara	26	--	--
Sonoma	21	--	--

SOURCE

*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citations2026-05-30Updated weekly

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

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

What is a Section 87465(h)(2) violation?

A Section 87465(h)(2) violation means centrally stored medications were not kept in a locked, secure place that only authorized staff could reach. Title 22 requires the medication cart, cabinet, or room to stay locked between passes. For residents, an unlocked supply creates a direct risk of a wrong dose, a missed dose, or access by someone who should not have it. CCLD treats this as a Type A deficiency because the danger to residents is immediate.

How common is this violation in California assisted living?

It is among the most cited medication deficiencies in the state. According to California CCLD inspection records, 721 California RCFEs have been cited under Section 87465(h)(2), about 5.46% of licensed communities, across 35 counties. Los Angeles (124), Contra Costa (88), and Orange (85) report the most. These are written as Type A citations, the more serious class, because unsecured medication is a direct and immediate risk to residents.

What happens if an RCFE is cited for this?

Because this is a Type A citation, the LPA expects fast correction and returns to verify the medication is now secured. Type A citations carry higher civil penalties than Type B, and they weigh more heavily in your facility's record. The analyst may also review your medication logs, staff training, and storage areas more closely on the same visit. A repeat finding signals a control problem and invites tighter oversight.

How do I fix or prevent this violation?

Lock the cart or cabinet every time staff step away, even for a moment. Assign one accountable person per shift to hold the key, and never leave it in the lock. Store all centrally held medications in a single secured location residents cannot enter. Check the lock during shift change and note it on your medication record. A quick lock-check habit removes the most common reason RCFEs draw a Type A citation.

Does this violation affect my RCFE license?

A Type A medication citation carries real weight with Community Care Licensing. It enters your public CCLD file, families can see it, and a pattern of medication findings can move CCLD toward formal enforcement. A single corrected citation usually will not cost your license, but repeated unsecured-medication findings raise serious questions about resident safety. Quick correction and a documented locking routine protect both residents and your license standing.

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.

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