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Kansas Nursing Home Administrator — Requirements & Free Practice

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adult care home administrator's license

Kansas license required to practice adult care home administration.

Licensing authority: Board of Adult Care Home Administrators · Application information

Initial licensure by examination
Age and character
At least 18 and satisfies Board good-character, training, and experience standards.
Application
Submit application, official transcript, fee, and required disciplinary information.
Education
Accredited baccalaureate or higher degree.
National exam timing
Take the national examination within 12 months of the practicum unless extended for good cause; pass within 36 months.
Practicum
At least 480 hours of board-approved long-term care administration practicum in no more than three settings.
References
Two references, including one from a licensed administrator and one from a nonrelative.
Licensure by reciprocity: equivalent issuing jurisdiction requirements
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit reciprocal application and fee, licensure verifications, two reference letters, and disciplinary disclosures.
Board option c
KDADS Reciprocal Application lists Option C (baccalaureate degree and 480-hour practicum); K.S.A. 65-3505(e)(1) still requires substantially equivalent issuing-jurisdiction criteria or five years of licensure and experience for reciprocity.
Board state exam request
KDADS Reciprocal Application checklist states: "Request to take the State Exam"; K.S.A. 65-3505(e) and K.A.R. 26-38-7 set reciprocal issuance conditions without requiring the applicant to pass that examination.
Equivalence
Issuing jurisdiction licensing criteria substantially equivalent to current Kansas examination, education, training, and experience criteria.
Out of state license
Currently licensed as an adult care home administrator in another jurisdiction and in good standing.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2020-10-02.

Licensure by reciprocity: five years of licensure and experience
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit reciprocal application and fee, licensure verifications, two reference letters, and disciplinary disclosures.
Board option c
KDADS Reciprocal Application lists Option C (baccalaureate degree and 480-hour practicum); K.S.A. 65-3505(e)(1) still requires substantially equivalent issuing-jurisdiction criteria or five years of licensure and experience for reciprocity.
Board state exam request
KDADS Reciprocal Application checklist states: "Request to take the State Exam"; K.S.A. 65-3505(e) and K.A.R. 26-38-7 set reciprocal issuance conditions without requiring the applicant to pass that examination.
Experience
Continuously licensed for the preceding five years, with at least 2,080 hours each year as administrator of record of a licensed adult care home or hospital long-term care unit.
Out of state license
Currently licensed as an adult care home administrator in another jurisdiction and in good standing.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2020-10-02.

Licensure by reciprocity: health services executive certification
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit reciprocal application and fee, licensure verifications, two reference letters, and disciplinary disclosures.
Board option c
KDADS Reciprocal Application lists Option C (baccalaureate degree and 480-hour practicum); K.S.A. 65-3505(e)(1) still requires substantially equivalent issuing-jurisdiction criteria or five years of licensure and experience for reciprocity.
Board state exam request
KDADS Reciprocal Application checklist states: "Request to take the State Exam"; K.S.A. 65-3505(e) and K.A.R. 26-38-7 set reciprocal issuance conditions without requiring the applicant to pass that examination.
Hse certification
Current health services executive certification and no serious licensing-board or agency disciplinary action.
Out of state license
A current adult care home administrator license in another jurisdiction is required by K.S.A. 65-3505(e).
Statutory reciprocity qualification
K.S.A. 65-3505(e)(1) also requires substantially equivalent issuing-jurisdiction criteria or five years of licensure and experience.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2020-10-02.

Reinstatement of lapsed Kansas license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Document 50 Board-approved clock hours during the preceding 24 months.
Fees
Submit renewal and reinstatement fees with the Board application.
Prior license
Previously held Kansas administrator license that lapsed or expired and was not revoked or suspended.
Verification
Provide verification for any out-of-state license acquired while the Kansas license was expired, as stated in KDADS form.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2020-10-02.

Initial licensure with religious formal education exemption
National exam timing
The K.A.R. 26-38-4 timing and retake rules apply.
Other initial requirements
Satisfy the other admission-to-examination qualifications and Board standards; submit the exemption application.
Practice restriction
Practice only in an adult care home owned and operated by that church or denomination.
Religious qualification
Recognized church or religious denomination whose teachings prohibit the formal education otherwise required.
License renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Attest to 50 Board-approved clock hours in the preceding licensure period, or two hours per month for an initial period shorter than 24 months.
Current license
Holds a current Kansas administrator license.
Timing and fee
Apply by June 30 of the expiration year and pay the renewal fee; late applications within 30 days also pay the late fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2020-10-02.

Temporary Adult Care Home Administrator License

Facility-specific emergency temporary license for up to 60 days, with at most two extensions.

Licensing authority: Kansas Board of Adult Care Home Administrators · Application information

Temporary license: degree and state law examination
Application
Submit the temporary-license application and fee.
Duration
60 days, with no more than two 60-day extensions.
Education
Accredited baccalaureate or postbaccalaureate degree.
Facility need
The hiring facility documents that no current licensee is available and endorses the applicant as the most qualified person.
National failure
If an initial-license applicant fails the national examination, the temporary license cannot be extended or reissued.
Temporary license: degree program and practicum
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the temporary-license application and fee.
Board state exam request
KDADS Temporary License Application checklist states: "Request to take the State Exam"; K.A.R. 26-38-6(a)(3) permits this alternative without an examination.
Duration
60 days, with no more than two 60-day extensions.
Facility need
The hiring facility documents that no current licensee is available and endorses the applicant as the most qualified person.
Practicum
Completed a degree-conferring accredited program and is participating or will participate in a compliant long-term care administration practicum.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2020-10-02.

Temporary license: out of state reciprocity eligibility
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the temporary-license application and fee.
Board state exam request
KDADS Temporary License Application checklist states: "Request to take the State Exam"; K.A.R. 26-38-6(a)(3) permits this alternative without an examination.
Duration
60 days, with no more than two 60-day extensions.
Facility need
The hiring facility documents that no current licensee is available and endorses the applicant as the most qualified person.
Out of state license
Holds an adult care home administrator license in another state and otherwise qualifies for reciprocity.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2020-10-02.

Temporary license: Kansas reinstatement eligibility
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the temporary-license application and fee.
Board state exam request
KDADS Temporary License Application checklist states: "Request to take the State Exam"; K.A.R. 26-38-6(a)(3) permits this alternative without an examination.
Duration
60 days, with no more than two 60-day extensions.
Facility need
The hiring facility documents that no current licensee is available and endorses the applicant as the most qualified person.
Prior kansas license
Previously held a Kansas adult care home administrator license and otherwise eligible for reinstatement.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2020-10-02.

State Law Examination for Adult Care Home Administration

Passing score
75 percent raw score
Practice scope

Inferred from the examination name; the authority has not published an examination outline.

  • Kansas Adult Care Home Administrator Licensure Act
  • Adult Care Home Administrator Licensure Regulations
  • Kansas Adult Care Home Licensing Act
  • Kansas Reporting of Resident Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation
  • Kansas Adult Care Home General Regulations
  • Nursing Facility Physical Environment Regulations
  • Assisted Living and Residential Health Care Facility Regulations
  • Kansas Adult Care Home Facility Regulations
  • Kansas Nurse Aide and Medication Aide Regulations
Examination sources

NAB National Core Knowledge Exam for Long-Term Care Administrators (CORE)

Provider
Pearson VUE
Format
Objective multiple-choice items with four response options, one correct; delivered by Pearson VUE
Exam questions
125 (100 scored, 25 non-scored pretest)
Time limit
150 minutes seat time; 2 hours 10 minutes to answer questions
Passing score
Scaled score of 113 on a 50-150 scale
Exam fee
CORE only $320; CORE and NHA combo $480 (effective 2/1/2026)
Examination outline
  • Care, Services, and Supports (39%)
    • Quality of Care: Medical and Nursing Care Practices
    • Quality of Care: Medication Management and Administration
    • Quality of Care: Disease Management (e.g., acute vs. chronic conditions)
    • Quality of Care: Nutrition and Hydration (e.g., specialized diets)
    • Quality of Care: Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Independent Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)
    • Quality of Care: Rehabilitation and Restorative Programs
    • Quality of Care: Care Recipient Assessment and Interdisciplinary Care Planning
    • Quality of Care: Clinical and Medical Records and Documentation Requirements (e.g., storage, retention, destruction)
    • Quality of Care: Medical Director
    • Quality of Care: Emergency Medical Services (e.g., CPR, first aid, Heimlich maneuver, AED)
    • Quality of Care: Transition of Care (e.g., admission, move-in, transfer, discharge, and move-out)
    • Quality of Care: Basic Healthcare Terminology
    • Quality of Life: Psychosocial Needs (e.g., social, spiritual, community, cultural)
    • Quality of Life: Person-Centered Care and Comprehensive Care Planning
    • Quality of Life: Care Recipient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities
    • Quality of Life: Care Recipient Safety (e.g., fall prevention, elopement prevention, adverse events)
    • Quality of Life: Care Recipient (and Representative) Grievance, Conflict, and Dispute Resolution
    • Quality of Life: Care Recipient Advocacy (e.g., Ombudsman, resident and family council)
    • Quality of Life: Care Recipient Decision-Making (e.g., capacity, power of attorney, guardianship, conservatorship, code status, advance directives, ethical decision-making)
    • Quality of Life: Care Recipient (and Representative) Satisfaction
    • Quality of Life: Recognition of Maltreatment (e.g., abuse, neglect, exploitation)
    • Quality of Life: Mental and Behavioral Health (e.g., cognitive impairment, depression, social support systems)
    • Quality of Life: Trauma-Informed Care (e.g., PTSD)
    • Quality of Life: Pain Management
    • Quality of Life: Death, Dying, and Grief
    • Quality of Life: Restraint Usage and Reduction
    • Quality of Life: Foodservice (e.g., choice and menu planning, dietary management, food storage and handling, dining services)
    • Quality of Life: Social Services Programs
    • Quality of Life: Therapeutic Recreation and Activity Programs
    • Quality of Life: Community Resources, Programs, and Agencies (e.g., meals on wheels, housing vouchers, Area Agencies on Aging, Veterans Affairs)
    • Ancillary Services: Hospice and Palliative Care
    • Ancillary Services: Specialized Medical Equipment (e.g., oxygen, durable medical equipment)
    • Ancillary Services: Transportation for Care Recipients
    • Ancillary Services: Telemedicine (e.g., e-health)
    • Ancillary Services: Diagnostic Services (e.g., radiology, lab services)
    • Ancillary Services: Dental and Oral Care Services
    • Ancillary Services: Healthcare Partners and Clinical Providers (e.g., MD/DO, Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatrist, Podiatrist, Dentist)
    • Ancillary Services: Volunteer Programs
  • Operations (37%)
    • Financial Management: Budgeting and Forecasting
    • Financial Management: Financial Analysis (e.g., ratios, profitability, debt, revenue mix, depreciation, operating margin, cash flow)
    • Financial Management: Revenue Cycle Management (e.g., billing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, collections)
    • Financial Management: Financial Statements (e.g., income/revenue statement, balance sheet, statement of cash flows, cost reporting)
    • Financial Management: Revenue and Reimbursement (e.g., PDPM, PDGM, ACOs, HMOs, Medicaid, private payors)
    • Financial Management: Financial Reporting Requirements (e.g., requirements for not-for-profit, for-profit, and governmental providers)
    • Financial Management: Integration of Clinical and Financial Systems (e.g., EMR/HER, MDS)
    • Financial Management: Internal Financial Management Controls (e.g., segregation of duties, access)
    • Financial Management: Supply-Chain Management (e.g., inventory control)
    • Financial Management: Resident Trust Accounts for Personal Funds
    • Risk Management: OSHA Rules and Regulations
    • Risk Management: Workers’ Compensation
    • Risk Management: Ethical Conduct and Standards of Practice
    • Risk Management: Compliance Programs
    • Risk Management: Risk Management Process and Programs
    • Risk Management: Quality Improvement Processes (e.g., root cause analysis, PDCA/PDSA)
    • Risk Management: Scope of Practice and Legal Liability
    • Risk Management: Internal Investigation Protocols and Techniques (e.g., incidents, adverse events)
    • Risk Management: Mandatory Reporting Requirements (e.g., incidents, adverse events, abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, fraud)
    • Risk Management: Insurance Coverage (e.g., liability, property)
    • Risk Management: Healthcare Record Requirements (e.g., confidentiality, disclosure, safeguarding, HIPAA, HITECH)
    • Risk Management: Security (e.g., cameras, monitoring systems, locks, staff location reporting)
    • Risk Management: Contracted Services (e.g., roles, responsibilities, oversight, background checks)
    • Human Resources: Federal Human Resources Laws, Rules, and Regulations (e.g., ADA, FMLA, Wage and Hour, FLSA)
    • Human Resources: Selection and Hiring Practices (e.g., EEOC, interviewing, adverse impact, protected classes, occupational qualifications)
    • Human Resources: Compensation and Benefits Programs (e.g., time off, healthcare insurance, employee pay and payroll)
    • Human Resources: Organizational Staffing Requirements and Reporting (e.g., PBJ)
    • Human Resources: Staff Certification and Licensure Requirements
    • Human Resources: Professional Development (e.g., maintenance of credentials, continuing education)
    • Human Resources: Employee Training and Orientation
    • Human Resources: Performance Evaluation
    • Human Resources: Human Resource Policies (e.g., drug-free workplace, discipline, job classification, photography and video, social media usage, mobile phone usage)
    • Human Resources: Employee Record-Keeping Requirements
    • Human Resources: Employee Grievance, Conflict, and Dispute Resolution
    • Human Resources: Employee Satisfaction, Engagement, and Retention
    • Human Resources: Cultural Competence and Diversity Awareness
    • Human Resources: Labor Relations (e.g., union, collective bargaining [CBA], contract/pool staff)
  • Environment and Quality (13%)
    • Care Setting: Federal Codes and Regulations for Building, Equipment, Maintenance, and Grounds
    • Care Setting: Person-Centered Environment (e.g., home-like environment)
    • Care Setting: Safety and Accessibility (e.g., ADA, safety data sheets)
    • Care Setting: Facility Management and Environmental Services
    • Care Setting: Information Systems Infrastructure (e.g., configurations, data security, technical controls)
    • Care Setting: Preventative and Routine Maintenance Programs (e.g., pest control, equipment, mechanical systems)
    • Care Setting: Infection Control and Sanitation (e.g., linens, kitchen, hand washing, healthcare-acquired infections, hazardous materials)
    • Care Setting: Disaster and Emergency Planning, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery (e.g., Appendix Z)
    • Regulatory Compliance: Federal Healthcare Laws, Rules, and Regulations
    • Regulatory Compliance: Government Programs and Entities (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, waivers)
    • Regulatory Compliance: Certification and Licensure Requirements for the Organization
  • Leadership and Strategy (11%)
    • Leadership: Organizational Structures (e.g., departments, functions, systemic processes)
    • Leadership: Organizational Change Management
    • Leadership: Organizational Behavior (e.g., organizational culture, team building, group dynamics)
    • Leadership: Leadership Principles (e.g., communication, styles, mentoring, coaching, personal professional development)
    • Leadership: Governance (e.g., board of directors, governing bodies, corporate entities, advisory boards)
    • Leadership: Professional Advocacy and Governmental Relations
    • Organizational Strategy: Mission, Vision, and Value Statements
    • Organizational Strategy: Strategic Business Planning (e.g., new lines of service, succession management, staffing pipeline)
    • Organizational Strategy: Business Analytics (e.g., evidence-based practice, data analytics)
    • Organizational Strategy: Business Development (e.g., sales, marketing, partnerships, ACOs, contracts and agreements, negotiations)
    • Organizational Strategy: Public Relations and External Stakeholders (e.g., hospitals, referrals sources, local community, donors)
Examination sources

NAB National Nursing Home Administrators Line of Service Exam (NHA)

Provider
Pearson VUE
Format
Objective multiple-choice items with four response options, one correct; delivered by Pearson VUE
Exam questions
75 (60 scored, 15 non-scored pretest)
Time limit
90 minutes seat time; 1 hour and 10 minutes to answer questions
Passing score
Scaled score of 113 on a 50-150 scale
Exam fee
NHA only $190; CORE and NHA combo $480 (effective 2/1/2026)
Examination outline
  • Care, Services, and Supports (45%)
    • Quality of Care: Medical and Nursing Care Practices
    • Quality of Care: Medication Management and Administration
    • Quality of Care: Nutrition and Hydration (e.g., specialized diets)
    • Quality of Care: Rehabilitation and Restorative Programs
    • Quality of Care: Care Recipient Assessment and Interdisciplinary Care Planning
    • Quality of Care: Clinical and Medical Records and Documentation Requirements (e.g., storage, retention, destruction)
    • Quality of Care: Medical Director
    • Quality of Care: Emergency Medical Services (e.g., CPR, first aid, Heimlich maneuver, AED)
    • Quality of Care: Transition of Care (e.g., admission, move-in, transfer, discharge, and move-out)
    • Quality of Life: Psychosocial Needs (e.g., social, spiritual, community, cultural)
    • Quality of Life: Person-Centered Care and Comprehensive Care Planning
    • Quality of Life: Care Recipient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities
    • Quality of Life: Care Recipient Safety (e.g., fall prevention, elopement prevention, adverse events)
    • Quality of Life: Care Recipient (and Representative) Grievance, Conflict, and Dispute Resolution
    • Quality of Life: Care Recipient Advocacy (e.g., Ombudsman, resident and family council)
    • Quality of Life: Care Recipient Decision-Making (e.g., capacity, power of attorney, guardianship, conservatorship, code status, advance directives, ethical decision-making)
    • Quality of Life: Recognition of Maltreatment (e.g., abuse, neglect, exploitation)
    • Quality of Life: Mental and Behavioral Health (e.g., cognitive impairment, depression, social support systems)
    • Quality of Life: Trauma-Informed Care (e.g., PTSD)
    • Quality of Life: Pain Management
    • Quality of Life: Death, Dying, and Grief
    • Quality of Life: Restraint Usage and Reduction
    • Quality of Life: Foodservice (e.g., choice and menu planning, dietary management, food storage and handling, dining services)
    • Quality of Life: Social Services Programs
    • Quality of Life: Therapeutic Recreation and Activity Programs
    • Ancillary Services: Hospice and Palliative Care
    • Ancillary Services: Transportation for Care Recipients
    • Ancillary Services: Diagnostic Services (e.g., radiology, lab services)
    • Ancillary Services: Dental and Oral Care Services
    • Ancillary Services: Healthcare Partners and Clinical Providers (e.g., MD/DO, Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatrist, Podiatrist, Dentist)
    • Ancillary Services: Volunteer Programs
  • Operations (28%)
    • Financial Management: Revenue and Reimbursement (e.g., PDPM, PDGM, ACOs, HMOs, Medicaid, private payors)
    • Financial Management: Financial Reporting Requirements (e.g., requirements for not-for-profit, for-profit, and governmental providers)
    • Financial Management: Integration of Clinical and Financial Systems (e.g., EMR/EHR, MDS)
    • Financial Management: Resident Trust Accounts for Personal Funds
    • Risk Management: OSHA Rules and Regulations
    • Risk Management: Compliance Programs
    • Risk Management: Scope of Practice and Legal Liability
    • Risk Management: Internal Investigation Protocols and Techniques (e.g., incidents, adverse events)
    • Risk Management: Mandatory Reporting Requirements (e.g., incidents, adverse events, abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, fraud)
    • Risk Management: Healthcare Record Requirements (e.g., confidentiality, disclosure, safeguarding, HIPAA, HITECH)
    • Risk Management: Security (e.g., cameras, monitoring systems, locks, staff location reporting)
    • Risk Management: Contracted Services (e.g., roles, responsibilities, oversight, background checks)
    • Human Resources: Organizational Staffing Requirements and Reporting (e.g., PBJ)
    • Human Resources: Staff Certification and Licensure Requirements
    • Human Resources: Professional Development (e.g., maintenance of credentials, continuing education)
    • Human Resources: Employee Training and Orientation
    • Human Resources: Performance Evaluation
    • Human Resources: Employee Record-Keeping Requirements
    • Human Resources: Cultural Competence and Diversity Awareness
  • Environment and Quality (27%)
    • Care Setting: Federal Codes and Regulations for Building, Equipment, Maintenance, and Grounds
    • Care Setting: Person-Centered Environment (e.g., home-like environment)
    • Care Setting: Safety and Accessibility (e.g., ADA, safety data sheets)
    • Care Setting: Facility Management and Environmental Services
    • Care Setting: Preventative and Routine Maintenance Programs (e.g., pest control, equipment, mechanical systems)
    • Care Setting: Infection Control and Sanitation (e.g., linens, kitchen, hand washing, healthcare-acquired infections, hazardous materials)
    • Care Setting: Disaster and Emergency Planning, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery (e.g., Appendix Z)
    • Regulatory Compliance: Federal Healthcare Laws, Rules, and Regulations
    • Regulatory Compliance: Government Programs and Entities (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, waivers)
    • Regulatory Compliance: Certification and Licensure Requirements for the Organization
    • Regulatory Compliance: Regulatory Survey and Inspection Process
    • Regulatory Compliance: Procedures for Informal Dispute Resolution (IDR)
    • Regulatory Compliance: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Quality Measures
    • Regulatory Compliance: Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI)
    • Regulatory Compliance: Bed-Hold Requirements
    • Regulatory Compliance: Pre-Admission Screening Annual Review (PASRR)
    • Regulatory Compliance: Facility Assessment
Examination sources