Administrator Certification Program (ACP)

 

ABOUT ACP

The ACP supports prospective and current administrators by proctoring mandated administrator exams, processing initial and renewal administrator applications, and ensures overall compliance of CCLD approved, third-party program training vendors to promote the health, safety, and well-being of vulnerable California residents in care.

Update to the ACS Mailing Address

Please be advised that the ACS Mail Station (MS) address has changed:

Community Care Licensing Division
Administrator Certification Section (ACS)
744 P Street, MS 9-15-807
Sacramento, CA 95814

Administrator Certification Training Requirements

The COVID-19 waivers related to course offerings for Initial Certification Training Program (ICTP) and Continuing Education Training Program (CETP) ended February 28, 2023. To support greater access to training opportunities for current and prospective Administrators, the Administrator Certification Program (ACP) will allow vendors who were previously approved through the State of Emergency (SOE) Waiver Terms and Conditions, to resume live instruction (live-stream) through online platforms effective April 1, 2023.

As a result, current and/or prospective Administrators may fulfill required live instruction hours either in-person or live-stream from an approved vendor. If an administrator chooses to access a live-stream course, the course must be offered by an ACP vendor who has been approved by ACP to specifically provide livestream instruction. You may access ACP-approved vendors on the Administrator Certification Section website. Be advised that ICTP and CETP training requirements still apply and include, but are not limited to, the number of hours as noted below:

ICTP Requirements (must be conducted live, whether in-person or live-stream)

  • Group Home (GH): 40 hours
  • Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP): 40 hours
  • STRTP with valid GH certificate issued by the Department: 12 hours
  • Adult Residential Facility (ARF): 35 hours
  • Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE): 80 hours, 20 of which may be completed via self-paced/on-demand training
  • RCFE-NHA: 12 hours with a valid Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) license issued by the Department of Public Health

CETP Requirements (at least half of which must be conducted live, whether in-person or live-stream)

  • GH: 40 hours
  • STRTP: 40 hours
  • ARF: 40 hours
  • RCFE: 40 hours
  • RCFE-NHA: 20 hours with a valid NHA license issued by the Department of Public Health, 20 of which may be completed via self-paced/on-demand training

Fee Increases for Administrators and Vendors

PIN 21-11-CCLD – (Changes to Administrator Certification Program Fees)

In accordance with Assembly Bill (AB) 135, an increase to the Administrator Certification Program fees is effective July 1, 2023.  The fee changes include increases to existing fees for processing Initial and Continuing Education Training Program vendor applications and increases to existing fees for processing new and renewal Administrator certification applications.  New fees will be assessed for the ACS exam and vendor course application processing.  Refer to PIN 21-11-CCLD for additional information about fee changes.

Applicable laws in Health & Safety Code (HSC) for Administrator Certification

Regulations for Certified Administrators

Regulations for Administrator Certification Training Programs Vendors

The historical rulemaking file for the regulation updates can be found at:

Contact Us

Community Care Licensing Division
Administrator Certification Section (ACS)
744 P Street, MS 9-15-807
Sacramento, CA 95814
Mainline Phone: 916-653-9300
E-mail Inbox: AdminCertInfo@dss.ca.gov

Attention Applicants

Stay Informed: Updates to the ACS Mainline

 

Effective September 1, 2022 the ACS will be changing the ACS Mainline Phone hours from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. To speak to a live operator, please call between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Monday – Friday.

*Please note that ACS does NOT accept applications, payments, or other documents on a walk-in basis. Currently, initial and renewal applications for administrator certification must be sent via postal mail. Vendors may upload their documents through Automation.

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