Exhibit 5.1

The Ensign Group, Inc.
27101 Puerta Real, Suite 450
Mission Viejo, CA 92691

Re:

Registration Statement on Form S-1
(SEC File Number 333-142897)

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        We have acted as counsel to The Ensign Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), in connection with a Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (the "Registration Statement"), relating to the proposed issuance and sale by the Company of up to 4,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock (the "Company Shares"), and the sale by certain stockholders of the Company (the "Selling Stockholders") of up to 600,000 shares of the Company's common stock (the "Selling Stockholder Shares"), which Selling Stockholders' Shares are subject to the Underwriters' over-allotment option.

        This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 16(a) of Form S-1 and Item 601(b)(5)(i) of Regulation S-K.

        We have examined such documents and have reviewed such questions of law as we have considered necessary and appropriate for the purposes of our opinions set forth below. In rendering our opinions set forth below, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of all signatures and the conformity to authentic originals of all documents submitted to us as copies. We have also assumed the legal capacity for all purposes relevant hereto of all natural persons and, with respect to all parties to agreements or instruments relevant hereto other than the Company, that such parties had the requisite power and authority (corporate or otherwise) to execute, deliver and perform such agreements or instruments, that such agreements or instruments have been duly authorized by all requisite action (corporate or otherwise), executed and delivered by such parties and that such agreements or instruments are the valid, binding and enforceable obligations of such parties. As to questions of fact material to our opinions, we have relied upon certificates of officers of the Company and of public officials. We have also assumed that the Company Shares and the Selling Stockholder Shares will be priced by the Pricing Committee established by the authorizing resolutions adopted by the Company's Board of Directors in accordance with such resolutions and will be issued and sold as described in the Registration Statement.

        Based on the foregoing, and in reliance thereon, we are of the opinion that (i) the Company Shares and the Selling Stockholder Shares have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action, (ii) the Company Shares, upon issuance, delivery and payment therefor as described in the Registration Statement and the related prospectus, as amended and supplemented through the date of issuance, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and (iii) the Selling Stockholder Shares have been validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable.

        Our opinions expressed above are limited to the Delaware General Corporation Law, and we express no opinion with respect to the applicability of any other laws.

        We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and to the reference to our firm under the heading "Legal Matters" in the Prospectus constituting part of the Registration Statement. In giving our consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations thereunder.

        This opinion letter is rendered as of the date of effectiveness of the Registration Statement and we disclaim any obligation to advise you of facts, circumstances, events or developments which may be brought to our attention after the effective date of the Registration Statement and which may alter, affect or modify the opinion expressed herein. Our opinion is expressly limited to the matters set forth

above and we render no opinion, whether by implication or otherwise, as to any other matters relating to the Company, the Company Shares or the Selling Stockholder Shares.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Dorsey & Whitney, LLP

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