Presented are standards for residential facilities for the mentally retarded that were developed by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals. The accreditation process is said to have two major objects: setting standards for services and determining the degree to which a specific services complies with the designated standards. The preface notes briefly the historical background of the Accreditation Council. Examination of administrative policies and practices includes philosophy, location, organization, general policies and practices, admission and release, and personnel policies. Delineation of the standards for resident living covers staff resident relationships and activities, food service, clothing, health, hygiene, grooming, grouping and organization of living units, resident living staff, and design and equipage of living units. Standards for professional and special programs and services consists of the following areas: dentistry, education, food and nutrition, library, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, physical and occupational therapy, psychology, recreation, religion, social work, speech pathology and audiology, vocational rehabilitation, and volunteer services. Standards are established also for records, research, safety and sanitation, and administrative support services. (CB)