The Department may accept the certification or accreditation of an assisted living community by an accreditation body or certifying authority recognized and approved by the Department provided that certification or accreditation constitutes compliance with standards that are substantially equivalent to these rules. Nothing herein shall prohibit any departmental inspection to determine compliance with licensure rules.
Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 111-8-63-.31
O.C.G.A. §§ 31-7-1 and 31-7-3(b).