Learn · Licensing
How Much Does Maryland's 80-Hour Assisted Living Manager Course Cost? (And Is There a Free One?)
Maryland's 80-hour Assisted Living Manager course runs about $850 to $1,400 depending on format. Why there isn't a free approved version, what the whole license costs, and what you can get for free.
By Aaron Payne · October 1, 2026
Two questions come up before almost any other: “How much is the 80-hour course?” and “Is there a free one?”
The short answers: approved 80-hour Assisted Living Manager courses in Maryland run roughly $850 to $1,400. Ours is $997, one time, fully online. And I don’t know of a free one that counts. The state doesn’t teach the course itself. It approves private vendors and colleges to teach it, and they charge tuition.
What the course costs, by format
| Format | Typical price | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Classroom or live-virtual cohort | $1,155 – $1,400 | Fixed dates, usually Saturdays or weekday evenings over about two months |
| Other online courses | Around $850 | Often a 90-day access clock, all sales final |
| The Care Insider, online self-paced | $997, one time | Start any day, no access clock |
Those competitor figures are ranges from publicly advertised prices, checked in September 2026. Prices change, so confirm with the vendor.
The sticker price isn’t the whole cost. A classroom cohort also costs you the days off work to sit in it. A cheaper online course with a 90-day clock costs you the full price again if work gets busy and the clock runs out.
Is there a free 80-hour course?
Not one that will get you licensed, as far as I can find. Here’s why:
- The state approves the course but doesn’t offer it. Maryland’s Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ) approves private vendors and colleges to teach it. They set their own tuition.
- Only a course from an approved vendor counts. A free or very cheap “assisted living manager certification” from a site that isn’t on the OHCQ approved-vendor list produces a certificate the Board application can’t use.
So before price, check the list. Find the vendor by name, and confirm it says “80 hours” next to it. Some vendors are approved only for the 20-hour continuing education.
Ways to pay less, or not pay yourself
- Ask your employer. A licensed program has to have a licensed manager, and it’s smart to have a trained alternate. If your facility is promoting you into the role, it’s reasonable to ask them to cover the course. If you’re an owner, ask your accountant whether it’s a deductible business expense.
- Don’t pay twice. Check for an access clock and a refund policy before you buy. The cheapest course is the one you only pay for once.
What you can get for free
You can’t get the 80 hours free, but you can get a real look before spending anything:
- Our free mini-course. Two modules, Resident Rights and Mandatory Reporting, about 20 minutes, with a verifiable certificate. Same platform and same instructors as the full course. Start it here.
- The Maryland ALM licensing checklist. The requirements, both applicant paths, and the background-check step that trips people up, on one page.
- The full license guide. Every step from course to posted license, with fees: becoming a licensed Assisted Living Manager in Maryland.
What the whole license costs
The course is the biggest line, not the only one.
| Step | Cost |
|---|---|
| 80-hour manager course | About $850 – $1,400 (ours is $997) |
| Fingerprints and criminal history records check | Varies by location |
| Board application fee | $100, non-refundable |
| License fee on approval | $200, non-refundable |
| First Aid and CPR certification | Varies; hands-on, from a certified instructor |
After you’re licensed, plan on 20 hours of continuing education every two years. Ours is $197.
What $997 covers with us
Our Maryland 80-hour Assisted Living Manager course includes all 80 hours across every state-required content area, video lessons, auto-graded quizzes, the required final exam with retakes, and an instant, verifiable certificate. It’s 100% online and self-paced. There are no cohorts, no Zoom sessions, and no expiry.
It’s taught by two people who do the job: I’m a licensed Maryland Assisted Living Manager who owns and operates a facility today, and Mavis Payne has run Maryland assisted living programs for more than 25 years.
Still comparing? Read how to compare Maryland ALM training vendors, or these:
This article is practical guidance, not legal or tax advice. Board fees were verified in September 2026. Confirm current figures on the Board’s site before you apply.