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<TITLE>sv8</TITLE>
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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Registration No.&nbsp;333-<U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U><BR>
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March&nbsp;6, 2009
</DIV>


<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>






<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933<BR>
<BR>
<DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>The Ensign Group, Inc.</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</DIV>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Delaware</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>33-0861263</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(State or other jurisdiction
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(IRS Employer Identification No.)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">of incorporation or organization)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>27101 Puerta Real, Suite&nbsp;450, Mission Viejo, CA</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>92691</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(Address of principal executive offices)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(Zip code)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>The Ensign Group, Inc. 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Full title of the plan)

<DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>








<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Gregory K. Stapley, Esq.</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B><I>With a copy to:</I></B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Vice President and General Counsel <BR>
The Ensign Group, Inc. <BR>
27101 Puerta Real, Suite&nbsp;450<BR>
Mission Viejo, CA 92691</B><BR>
(Name and Address of agent for service)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Nolan S. Taylor, Esq.<BR>
Ellen S. Bancroft, Esq.<BR>
Dorsey &#038; Whitney LLP<BR>
38 Technology Drive<BR>
Irvine, CA 92618<BR>
(949)&nbsp;932-3600</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>(949)&nbsp;487-9500</B><BR>
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for  <BR>
service)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a
non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of &#147;large accelerated
filer,&#148; &#147;accelerated filer&#148; and &#147;smaller reporting company&#148; in Rule&nbsp;12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
(Check one):
</DIV>




<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Large accelerated filer <FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Accelerated filer <FONT face="Wingdings">&#254;</FONT>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Non-accelerated filer <FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top" nowrap>Smaller reporting company <FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top" nowrap>(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<div align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 10pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></div>
<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B></DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="54%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-bottom: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Title of securities</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount to</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount of</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>to be registered</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>be registered(1)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>offering price per share (2)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>aggregate offering price (2)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>registration fee</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                    <TD valign="top" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Common stock, $0.001 par value per share
</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">848,622</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD align="center" colspan="3" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$13.20</TD>

    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">11,201,810</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD align="center" colspan="3" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$440.23</TD>

    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="96">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>This Registration Statement shall also cover any additional shares of the Registrant&#146;s common
stock that become issuable by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or
any other similar transaction effected without the Registrant&#146;s receipt of consideration which
results in an increase in the number of outstanding shares of the Registrant&#146;s common stock.</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Estimated solely for calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rules 457(c) and
457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, on the basis of the average of the high and low sales
prices per share of the Registrant&#146;s common stock on March&nbsp;2, 2009, as reported by The NASDAQ
Stock Market.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>



<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>








<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<!-- TOC -->
<A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

<P><CENTER>
<TABLE border="0" width="90%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
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	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="76%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000">PART II</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#001">Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#002">Item&nbsp;8.Exhibits</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#003">SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#004">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="a51709exv5w1.htm">EX-5.1</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="a51709exv23w1.htm">EX-23.1</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
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<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>EXPLANATORY NOTE</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This registration statement is being filed solely for the registration of additional shares of
common stock of The Ensign Group, Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148;) for issuance pursuant to The Ensign Group,
Inc. 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;). Accordingly, pursuant to General Instruction E to
Form S-8, the contents of the earlier registration statement relating to the Plan (Registration
No.&nbsp;333-148379) are hereby incorporated by reference in this registration statement.
</DIV>
<!-- link1 "PART II" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>PART II</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>

</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Ensign Group, Inc. (the &#147;Registrant&#148;) hereby incorporates by reference into this
registration statement the following documents, which have been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;):
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(a)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>the Registrant&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December&nbsp;31,
2008 filed with the Commission on February&nbsp;18, 2009;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(b)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>the Registrant&#146;s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on
February&nbsp;9, 2009; and</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(c)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>the description of the Registrant&#146;s common stock, par value $0.001 per share,
contained in the Registrant&#146;s Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No.&nbsp;001-33757)
filed on October&nbsp;19, 2007, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of
updating such description.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>
<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">All reports and definitive proxy or information statements filed pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c),
14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;) after the date
of this registration statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which
indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities
then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this registration
statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. The Registrant
expressly excludes from such incorporation information furnished pursuant to Item&nbsp;2.02 or Item&nbsp;7.01
of any Current Report on Form 8-K. Any document or any statement contained in a document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a subsequently filed
document or a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is
or is deemed to be incorporated herein by reference modifies or supersedes such document or such
statement. Any such document or statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as
so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement.
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->-2-<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;8.Exhibits" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8.
Exhibits.</B>

</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Exhibit</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>No.</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Description</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Where Located</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;&nbsp;4.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Fifth Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation of the
Registrant
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Incorporated by
reference to
Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to the
Registrant&#146;s Quarterly
Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q
(File No.&nbsp;001-33757)
filed with the
Securities and Exchange
Commission on
December&nbsp;21, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;&nbsp;4.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Amended and Restated Bylaws of the
Registrant
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Incorporated by
reference to
Exhibit&nbsp;3.2 to the
Registrant&#146;s Quarterly
Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q
(File No.&nbsp;001-33757)
filed with the
Securities and Exchange
Commission on
December&nbsp;21, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;&nbsp;4.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Specimen stock certificate
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Incorporated by
reference to
Exhibit&nbsp;4.1 to the
Registrant&#146;s
Registration Statement
on Form&nbsp;S-1, as amended
(File No.&nbsp;333-142897)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;&nbsp;5.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Dorsey &#038; Whitney LLP
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Filed herewith</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Deloitte &#038; Touche LLP
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Filed herewith</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Dorsey &#038; Whitney LLP
(contained in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1 to this
registration statement)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Filed herewith</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney (included in the
signature pages to this
registration statement)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Filed herewith</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">99.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">The Ensign Group, Inc. 2007 Omnibus
Incentive Plan
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Incorporated by
reference to
Exhibit&nbsp;10.3 to the
Registrant&#146;s
Registration Statement
on Form&nbsp;S-1, as amended
(File No.&nbsp;333-142897)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">99.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Form of 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan
Stock Option Agreement
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Incorporated by
reference to
Exhibit&nbsp;10.4 to the
Registrant&#146;s
Registration Statement
on Form&nbsp;S-1, as amended
(File No.&nbsp;333-142897)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">99.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Form of 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan
Restricted Stock Agreement
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Incorporated by
reference to
Exhibit&nbsp;10.5 to the
Registrant&#146;s
Registration Statement
on Form&nbsp;S-1, as amended
(File No.&nbsp;333-142897)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->-3-<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for
filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Mission Viejo, State of California on
March&nbsp;6, 2009.
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left"><BR>
<BR>
<B>THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.</B><BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Christopher R. Christensen
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Christopher R. Christensen&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Chief Executive Officer and President&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each of the undersigned officers and directors does hereby
constitute and appoint Christopher R. Christensen and Alan J. Norman, and each of them, or their
substitute or substitutes, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full
power and authority to do any and all acts and things and to execute and file or cause to be filed
any and all instruments, documents or exhibits which said attorneys and agents, or either one of
them, determine may be necessary or advisable or required to enable said corporation to comply with
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules or regulations or requirements of the
Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with this registration statement. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing power and authority, the powers granted include the power
and authority to sign the names of the undersigned officers and directors in the capacities
indicated below to this registration statement, to any and all amendments, both pre-effective and
post-effective, and supplements to this registration statement and to any and all instruments,
documents or exhibits filed as part of or in conjunction with this registration statement or
amendments or supplements thereof, with the powers of substitution and revocation, and each of the
undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorneys and agents, or either one of them,
or their substitute or substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. In
witness whereof, each of the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the dates
indicated below.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration
statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated
below.
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="14%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Signature</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Title</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Date</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><BR>
/s/ Christopher R. Christensen
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
<I>(principal executive officer)</I>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">March&nbsp;6,
 2009</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Christopher R. Christensen
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Alan J. Norman
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Chief Financial Officer <I>(principal financial and</I>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">March&nbsp;6,
 2009</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Alan J. Norman
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;<I>accounting
officer)</I></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Roy E. Christensen
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">March&nbsp;6,
 2009</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Roy E. Christensen
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Antoinette T. Hubenette
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">March&nbsp;6,
 2009</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Antoinette T. Hubenette
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Thomas A. Maloof
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">March&nbsp;6,
 2009</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Thomas A. Maloof
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Charles M. Blalack
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">March&nbsp;6,
 2009</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Charles M. Blalack
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ John G. Nackel
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">March&nbsp;6,
 2009</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
John G. Nackel
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->-4-<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<!-- link1 "EXHIBIT INDEX " -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="004"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><U><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B></U>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="45%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="45%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Exhibit</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>No.</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Description</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Where Located</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;&nbsp;4.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Fifth Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation of the
Registrant
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Incorporated by
reference to
Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to the
Registrant&#146;s Quarterly
Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q
(File No.&nbsp;001-33757)
filed with the
Securities and Exchange
Commission on
December&nbsp;21, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;&nbsp;4.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Amended and Restated Bylaws of the
Registrant
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Incorporated by
reference to
Exhibit&nbsp;3.2 to the
Registrant&#146;s Quarterly
Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q
(File No.&nbsp;001-33757)
filed with the
Securities and Exchange
Commission on
December&nbsp;21, 2007</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;&nbsp;4.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Specimen stock certificate
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Incorporated by
reference to
Exhibit&nbsp;4.1 to the
Registrant&#146;s
Registration Statement
on Form&nbsp;S-1, as amended
(File No.&nbsp;333-142897)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;&nbsp;5.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Dorsey &#038; Whitney LLP
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Filed herewith</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Deloitte &#038; Touche LLP
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Filed herewith</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Dorsey &#038; Whitney LLP
(contained in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1 to this
registration statement)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Filed herewith</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney (included in the
signature pages to this
registration statement)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Filed herewith</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">99.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">The Ensign Group, Inc. 2007 Omnibus
Incentive Plan
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Incorporated by
reference to
Exhibit&nbsp;10.3 to the
Registrant&#146;s
Registration Statement
on Form&nbsp;S-1, as amended
(File No.&nbsp;333-142897)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">99.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Form of 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan
Stock Option Agreement
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Incorporated by
reference to
Exhibit&nbsp;10.4 to the
Registrant&#146;s
Registration Statement
on Form&nbsp;S-1, as amended
(File No.&nbsp;333-142897)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">99.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Form of 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan
Restricted Stock Agreement
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Incorporated by
reference to
Exhibit&nbsp;10.5 to the
Registrant&#146;s
Registration Statement
on Form&nbsp;S-1, as amended
(File No.&nbsp;333-142897)</TD>
</TR>
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sv8
Table of Contents
Registration No. 333-
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 2009
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
The Ensign Group, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
33-0861263
(State or other jurisdiction
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
of incorporation or organization)
27101 Puerta Real, Suite 450, Mission Viejo, CA
92691
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip code)
The Ensign Group, Inc. 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan
(Full title of the plan)
Gregory K. Stapley, Esq.
With a copy to:
Vice President and General Counsel
The Ensign Group, Inc.
27101 Puerta Real, Suite 450
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
(Name and Address of agent for service)
Nolan S. Taylor, Esq.
Ellen S. Bancroft, Esq.
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
38 Technology Drive
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 932-3600
(949) 487-9500
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for
service)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a
non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated
filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
(Check one):
Large accelerated filer
o
Accelerated filer
þ
Non-accelerated filer
o
Smaller reporting company
o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of securities
Amount to
Proposed maximum
Proposed maximum
Amount of
to be registered
be registered(1)
offering price per share (2)
aggregate offering price (2)
registration fee
Common stock, $0.001 par value per share
848,622
$13.20
$
11,201,810
$440.23
(1)
This Registration Statement shall also cover any additional shares of the Registrant's common
stock that become issuable by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or
any other similar transaction effected without the Registrant's receipt of consideration which
results in an increase in the number of outstanding shares of the Registrant's common stock.
(2)
Estimated solely for calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rules 457(c) and
457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, on the basis of the average of the high and low sales
prices per share of the Registrant's common stock on March 2, 2009, as reported by The NASDAQ
Stock Market.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART II
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference
Item 8.Exhibits
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
EX-5.1
EX-23.1
Table of Contents
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This registration statement is being filed solely for the registration of additional shares of
common stock of The Ensign Group, Inc. (the "Company") for issuance pursuant to The Ensign Group,
Inc. 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). Accordingly, pursuant to General Instruction E to
Form S-8, the contents of the earlier registration statement relating to the Plan (Registration
No. 333-148379) are hereby incorporated by reference in this registration statement.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The Ensign Group, Inc. (the "Registrant") hereby incorporates by reference into this
registration statement the following documents, which have been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission"):
(a)
the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2008 filed with the Commission on February 18, 2009;
(b)
the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on
February 9, 2009; and
(c)
the description of the Registrant's common stock, par value $0.001 per share,
contained in the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-33757)
filed on October 19, 2007, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of
updating such description.
All reports and definitive proxy or information statements filed pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c),
14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") after the date
of this registration statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which
indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities
then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this registration
statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. The Registrant
expressly excludes from such incorporation information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01
of any Current Report on Form 8-K. Any document or any statement contained in a document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a subsequently filed
document or a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is
or is deemed to be incorporated herein by reference modifies or supersedes such document or such
statement. Any such document or statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as
so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement.
-2-
Table of Contents
Item 8.
Exhibits.
Exhibit
No.
Description
Where Located
4.1
Fifth Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation of the
Registrant
Incorporated by
reference to
Exhibit 3.1 to the
Registrant's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q
(File No. 001-33757)
filed with the
Securities and Exchange
Commission on
December 21, 2007
4.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the
Registrant
Incorporated by
reference to
Exhibit 3.2 to the
Registrant's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q
(File No. 001-33757)
filed with the
Securities and Exchange
Commission on
December 21, 2007
4.3
Specimen stock certificate
Incorporated by
reference to
Exhibit 4.1 to the
Registrant's
Registration Statement
on Form S-1, as amended
(File No. 333-142897)
5.1
Opinion of Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Filed herewith
23.1
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
Filed herewith
23.2
Consent of Dorsey & Whitney LLP
(contained in Exhibit 5.1 to this
registration statement)
Filed herewith
24.1
Power of Attorney (included in the
signature pages to this
registration statement)
Filed herewith
99.1
The Ensign Group, Inc. 2007 Omnibus
Incentive Plan
Incorporated by
reference to
Exhibit 10.3 to the
Registrant's
Registration Statement
on Form S-1, as amended
(File No. 333-142897)
99.2
Form of 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan
Stock Option Agreement
Incorporated by
reference to
Exhibit 10.4 to the
Registrant's
Registration Statement
on Form S-1, as amended
(File No. 333-142897)
99.3
Form of 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan
Restricted Stock Agreement
Incorporated by
reference to
Exhibit 10.5 to the
Registrant's
Registration Statement
on Form S-1, as amended
(File No. 333-142897)
-3-
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for
filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Mission Viejo, State of California on
March 6, 2009.
THE ENSIGN GROUP, INC.
By:
/s/ Christopher R. Christensen
Christopher R. Christensen
Chief Executive Officer and President
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each of the undersigned officers and directors does hereby
constitute and appoint Christopher R. Christensen and Alan J. Norman, and each of them, or their
substitute or substitutes, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full
power and authority to do any and all acts and things and to execute and file or cause to be filed
any and all instruments, documents or exhibits which said attorneys and agents, or either one of
them, determine may be necessary or advisable or required to enable said corporation to comply with
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules or regulations or requirements of the
Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with this registration statement. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing power and authority, the powers granted include the power
and authority to sign the names of the undersigned officers and directors in the capacities
indicated below to this registration statement, to any and all amendments, both pre-effective and
post-effective, and supplements to this registration statement and to any and all instruments,
documents or exhibits filed as part of or in conjunction with this registration statement or
amendments or supplements thereof, with the powers of substitution and revocation, and each of the
undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorneys and agents, or either one of them,
or their substitute or substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. In
witness whereof, each of the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney as of the dates
indicated below.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration
statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated
below.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Christopher R. Christensen
Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
(principal executive officer)
March 6,
 2009
Christopher R. Christensen
/s/ Alan J. Norman
Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial and
March 6,
 2009
Alan J. Norman
accounting
officer)
/s/ Roy E. Christensen
Director
March 6,
 2009
Roy E. Christensen
/s/ Antoinette T. Hubenette
Director
March 6,
 2009
Antoinette T. Hubenette
/s/ Thomas A. Maloof
Director
March 6,
 2009
Thomas A. Maloof
/s/ Charles M. Blalack
Director
March 6,
 2009
Charles M. Blalack
/s/ John G. Nackel
Director
March 6,
 2009
John G. Nackel
-4-
Table of Contents
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
No.
Description
Where Located
4.1
Fifth Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation of the
Registrant
Incorporated by
reference to
Exhibit 3.1 to the
Registrant's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q
(File No. 001-33757)
filed with the
Securities and Exchange
Commission on
December 21, 2007
4.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the
Registrant
Incorporated by
reference to
Exhibit 3.2 to the
Registrant's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q
(File No. 001-33757)
filed with the
Securities and Exchange
Commission on
December 21, 2007
4.3
Specimen stock certificate
Incorporated by
reference to
Exhibit 4.1 to the
Registrant's
Registration Statement
on Form S-1, as amended
(File No. 333-142897)
5.1
Opinion of Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Filed herewith
23.1
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
Filed herewith
23.2
Consent of Dorsey & Whitney LLP
(contained in Exhibit 5.1 to this
registration statement)
Filed herewith
24.1
Power of Attorney (included in the
signature pages to this
registration statement)
Filed herewith
99.1
The Ensign Group, Inc. 2007 Omnibus
Incentive Plan
Incorporated by
reference to
Exhibit 10.3 to the
Registrant's
Registration Statement
on Form S-1, as amended
(File No. 333-142897)
99.2
Form of 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan
Stock Option Agreement
Incorporated by
reference to
Exhibit 10.4 to the
Registrant's
Registration Statement
on Form S-1, as amended
(File No. 333-142897)
99.3
Form of 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan
Restricted Stock Agreement
Incorporated by
reference to
Exhibit 10.5 to the
Registrant's
Registration Statement
on Form S-1, as amended
(File No. 333-142897)
-5-