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Missouri Nursing Home Administrator — Requirements & Free Practice

US-MO · License preparation

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Nursing Home Administrator License

State license required to serve as a nursing home administrator in Missouri.

Licensing authority: Missouri Board of Nursing Home Administrators · Application information

Interim licence during inactive reactivation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Eligibility
Board issues a six-month interim licence if inactive licence holder requests reactivation before finishing forty hours of continuing education (RSMo 344.108(5)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation of inactive licence within six years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Window
Within six years; forty continuing-education hours, request and fee; interim licence possible pending completion (RSMo 344.108(4)-(5); 19 CSR 73-2.053).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal of inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Ten patient-care continuing-education hours and renewal fee (RSMo 344.108(3); 19 CSR 73-2.053).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Inactive licensure status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Eligibility
Current administrator licence; surrender, fee and ten patient-care continuing-education hours (19 CSR 73-2.053).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

  • r73

    mo-nha-inactive-status complete conditions

Initial licensure by examination
Exam Timing
Exams within 12 months of Board qualification notice; reapplication after that window (19 CSR 73-2.070(2)).
Minimum Qualifications
High school or equivalent, qualifying health-care administration experience or education, character and conviction review, Board approval, application and fee (19 CSR 73-2.020; RSMo 344.030).
Renewal within 12 months after expiry
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Expiry Window
Expired no more than 12 months; renewal application, fee, penalty, continuing education and employment statement (19 CSR 73-2.055).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

  • r73

    mo-nha-late-renewal complete conditions

Licensure by reciprocity
Board Review
Board approval, jurisdiction verification, discipline and criminal record review, application and fee (19 CSR 73-2.025).
National Passing Score
The Board rule accepts a passing national examination score as prior evidence, with NAB HSE as an applicant alternative; its examination references are mounted for currently offered versions (19 CSR 73-2.025(2)).
Prior License
Current equivalent administrator licence from another U.S. jurisdiction in good standing for at least one year, or NAB HSE qualification (19 CSR 73-2.025(2)).
Active licence renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Board-approved continuing education, renewal application and fee (19 CSR 73-2.050; RSMo 344.040).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

  • r73

    mo-nha-renewal complete conditions

Reactivation of retired licence within five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Window
Within five years of retired status; required continuing education, request and fee (19 CSR 73-2.051(4)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

  • r73

    mo-nha-retired-reactivation complete conditions

Retired licensure status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Eligibility
Current administrator licence held actively for at least ten years, retired from practice, fee and surrender of original licence (19 CSR 73-2.051).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

  • r73

    mo-nha-retired-status complete conditions

limited nha license

Limited NHA licensure for applicants at certified Christian Science nursing institutions who meet eligibility criteria and pass the NHA state exam.

Licensing authority: Missouri Board of Nursing Home Administrators · Application information

Initial limited licensure for Christian Science institution
Institution
Applicant employed by a Commission-accredited Christian Science institution; practice confined to such institutions (RSMo 344.030(3)).
Qualifications
Age 18, high school or equivalent, character and conviction review, Board application, fee and approval (19 CSR 73-2.023).

Temporary Emergency Nursing Home Administrator License

Temporary emergency license category addressed by 19 CSR 73-2.080.

Licensing authority: Missouri Board of Nursing Home Administrators · Application information

Temporary emergency issuance
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Emergency
Replacement of an administrator who died, was removed or vacated the position; maximum 120 days; applicant age 18 and high school or equivalent, application and Board approval (RSMo 344.030(4); 19 CSR 73-2.080).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

  • chapter_344_full

    mo-nha-emergency-initial complete conditions

  • r73

    19 CSR 73-2.080 exhaustive emergency requirements

state examination (nha – mo)

Passing score
75% on the state examination (19 CSR 73-2.070(6)).
Practice scope

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

  • 19 CSR 30-86—Residential Care Facilities and Assisted Living Facilities
  • 19 CSR 30-87—Sanitation Requirements for Long-Term Care Facilities
  • 19 CSR 30-88—Resident’s Rights and Handling Resident Funds and Property in Long-Term Care Facilities
  • 19 CSR 30-91—Authorized Electronic Monitoring in Long-Term Care Facilities
  • RSMo Chapter 198—Nursing Homes and Facilities
  • RSMo Chapter 324—Occupations and Professions General Provisions
  • RSMo Chapter 344—Nursing Home Administrators
  • 19 CSR 73-2—Missouri Board of Nursing Home Administrators General Rules
Examination sources
  • study

    State Examination (NHA – MO) scope

  • study

    State Examination (NHA – MO) focus

  • study

    State Examination (NHA – MO) Board regulations

  • board_resources

    Board statutory and rule enumeration nha

  • r73

    19 CSR 73-2.070(6) nha

  • study

    State Examination (NHA – MO) assessment

  • r73

    19 CSR 73-2.070(4) nha

  • study

    State Examination (NHA – MO) registration

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