CMS F-tag

F726: Nursing & physician services

Nursing staff must have the competencies and skills to care for residents. Cited 2,611 times at 2,134 nursing homes in the last three inspection cycles.

#41 of 242 tags10% caused harm52 statesLatest survey Jan 9, 2026

How F726 shows up in inspections

F-TAGF726#41 of 242 tagsOften cited

How serious it usually is

  • Immediate jeopardyJ · K · L7.2%187
  • Actual harmG · H · I2.5%65
  • No actual harmD · E · F90.2%2,354
  • Minimal harmB · C0.2%5

10% of F726 citations involved actual harm or immediate jeopardy. Nationally, about 5% of all citations do.

By the numbers

  • 2,611Citations
  • 2,134Facilities cited15% of rated nursing homes

Citations by survey year

  • 20171
  • 201825
  • 201972
  • 202026
  • 2021106
  • 2022253
  • 2023686
  • 2024813
  • 2025628
  • 20261

Partial years reflect the rolling three-cycle window, not a change in enforcement.

Where F726 is cited most

Survey agencies differ in what they emphasize, so compare a facility with its own state. Shares are the portion of each state’s rated nursing homes with at least one F726 citation.

States by share of facilities cited

  • California39% of homes652 citations · 450 of 1,154 facilities
  • Texas13% of homes171 citations · 153 of 1,167 facilities
  • Pennsylvania16% of homes137 citations · 103 of 653 facilities
  • Louisiana33% of homes128 citations · 88 of 264 facilities
  • Massachusetts27% of homes106 citations · 92 of 338 facilities
  • Florida13% of homes96 citations · 87 of 689 facilities
  • Maryland33% of homes80 citations · 72 of 219 facilities
  • Connecticut34% of homes72 citations · 64 of 190 facilities
  • Michigan15% of homes68 citations · 64 of 420 facilities
  • Kansas18% of homes60 citations · 52 of 294 facilities

Top 10 of 52 states. Every state page lists its most-cited tags.

Facilities cited most often

  1. Berkley East Healthcare CenterSanta Monica, CA · Report card7 F726No harm
  2. Santa Monica Rehabilitation CenterSanta Monica, CA · Report card7 F726No harm
  3. Autumn Creek Post AcuteChico, CA · Report card6 F726No harm
  4. Kei-Ai Los Angeles Healthcare CenterLos Angeles, CA · Report card5 F726No harm
  5. Palos Verdes Health Care CenterLomita, CA · Report card5 F726No harm
  6. Sharon Care CenterLos Angeles, CA · Report card5 F726No harm
  7. Avantara NortonSioux Falls, SD · Report card4 F7263 with harm
  8. Avalon Villa Care CenterLos Angeles, CA · Report card4 F7261 with harm
  9. Kuakini Geriatric Care, INCHonolulu, HI · Report card4 F7261 with harm
  10. Seacrest Post-Acute Care CenterSan Pedro, CA · Report card4 F7261 with harm
  11. Bridgepoint Sub-Acute & Rehab National HarborsideWashington, DC · Report card4 F726No harm
  12. Bridgeview Post AcuteYuba City, CA · Report card4 F726No harm
  13. Cliveden Nursing and Rehabilitation CenterPhiladelphia, PA · Report card4 F726No harm
  14. Cornerstone at the RanchLafayette, LA · Report card4 F726No harm
  15. Greenfield Care Center of South GateSouth Gate, CA · Report card4 F726No harm

What to ask a facility about a F726 citation

  1. What exactly did the surveyor find, and on what date? The report card shows the date and the severity letter.
  2. What was the plan of correction, and was it accepted by the state on the first submission?
  3. Has the same tag been cited in more than one cycle? Repeat citations matter more than a single one.
  4. If the letter was G or higher: what happened to the resident, and what changed in staffing or process?

Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog, Nursing Home Health Citations, current three inspection cycles, most recent survey Jan 9, 2026. Counts are citations unless labeled facilities.

Frequently asked questions

What is F726 in a nursing home inspection?
F726 is the CMS F-tag for the requirement "Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being." (Nursing & physician services). Surveyors cite it when a facility is found out of compliance with that regulation during a standard survey or complaint investigation.
How common is F726?
F726 was cited 2,611 times at 2,134 facilities (15% of rated nursing homes) in the last three inspection cycles, ranking #41 of 242 tags. 252 of those citations involved actual harm or immediate jeopardy.
Does a F726 citation mean the facility is unsafe?
Not on its own. Read the scope and severity letter: D through F means no actual harm was found, G through I means a resident was harmed, and J through L means immediate jeopardy. Ask the facility what was cited, what was corrected, and when.

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