Exam FAQ

1. General
2. Exam Fees
3. Preparing for the Exam
4. During the Exam
5. After the Exam
6. Resources

General

1. QUESTION: What is the Administrator Certification Exam?
   ANSWER: The Administrator Certification Exam is a web conferenced exam that must be taken and passed by prospective administrators applying for initial certification. It is taken and proctored remotely. Registration is required to take the exam. You must successfully complete an Initial Certification Training Program (ICTP) before registering for the exam. You must submit your LIC9214 Application for Administrator Certification within 30 days of passing the exam.
2. QUESTION:  What software is used to take the Administrator Certification Exam?
   ANSWER: The Administrator Certification Exam uses Blackboard course software. A Blackboard User Guide is available on the ACB website.
3. QUESTION:  How do I schedule my Administrator Certification Exam?
   ANSWER: To register for the Administrator Certification Exam, check the Administrator Certification Exam Calendar on our website to find three (3) separate exam times. Next, send an e-mail to ExamRegistration@dss.ca.gov with the following information:
   • Attach a copy of your ICTP certificate
   • ICTP Certificate of Completion date
   • First and last name
   • Full mailing address
   • Personal e-mail (Note: This will be your username)
   • Phone number with area code
   • Date of birth
   • Type of exam: ARF, GH, RCFE, or STRTP
   • Three (3) exam dates and times (8:30 AM or 1:30 PM)
   Lastly, after registering for the exam, mail the $100 exam fee by check or money order to “CDSS-ACB” with the Notice of Payment Information: Exam Fees to:
   CDSS - ACB
   744 P Street, MS 9-15-807
   Sacramento, CA 95814
   Please refer to How to Register for the Administrator Certification Exam for additional information.
4. QUESTION: Can an instructor/vendor register me for an examination?
   ANSWER: No, an instructor/vendor may not register you for an examination. Each applicant must register for the examination individually with a unique and individual email address.
5. QUESTION: Are there any exemptions from taking the exam? ANSWER: There are two exceptions. If you currently have an active Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) License and are attempting to become an RCFE Administrator, then you are exempt from the exam and associated exam fee. If you currently hold a GH Administrator Certificate, and are attempting to become an STRTP Administrator, you are exempt from the exam and associated exam fee. For both exceptions, however, you must complete 12 hours of in-person or live-stream instruction in lieu of completing the ICTP and exam.
6. QUESTION:  I am approaching the 60-day due date from the completion of my ICTP, can I still take the exam?
   ANSWER: You can submit a deadline extension request within sixty (60) days of completing the Initial Certification Training Program (ICTP) by submitting a request by email to ExamRegistration@dss.ca.gov.

Exam Fees

7. QUESTION:  How much does the Administrator Certification Exam cost? 
   ANSWER: The Administrator Certification Exam non-refundable fee is $100 and includes up to three (3) attempts to pass the exam.
8. QUESTION:  Can I pay the exam fee online? 
   ANSWER:  No. Currently, you cannot pay the exam fee online. You may pay the fee by check or money order to “CDSS-ACB”. Mail your fee with the Notice of Payment Information: Exam Fees to: 
   CDSS-ACB
   744 P Street, MS 9-15-807
   Sacramento, CA 95814
9. QUESTION:  When do I pay the exam fee?
   ANSWER: You should pay the exam fee at the time you register for the exam.
10. QUESTION: What happens if I decide not to take the exam?
    ANSWER: If you do not take and pass the Administrator Certification Exam within sixty (60) days of completing your ICTP, you must restart the process by completing a new ICTP.
11. QUESTION: Can I get a refund if I decide not to take the exam?
    ANSWER: No. The exam fee is non-refundable.
12. QUESTION:  Is the exam fee tax-deductible?
    ANSWER: This question is outside the scope of the ACB. You may wish to consult with your tax advisor for more information.
13. QUESTION:  Do I have to pay the exam fee each time I take the exam?
    ANSWER:  No. The exam fee includes up to three (3) attempts to pass the exam within the allotted timeframe of sixty (60) days of completing your ICTP.

Preparing for the Exam

14. QUESTION:  What can I do to prepare for the Administrator Exam? 
    ANSWER:  Refer to the guide on the ACB website for navigating Blackboard. A sample of the exam is available at the ACB website. We recommend using Google Chrome or Safari as your browser. Be sure it is installed. Have a computer or laptop with a functioning camera and a stable internet connection.
15. QUESTION:  What happens if I am late for the scheduled exam?  ANSWER: If you log into the scheduled exam after the exam has begun, you will not be permitted to take the exam.
16. QUESTION:  What if I need to cancel or reschedule the exam? 
    ANSWER: To cancel or reschedule an exam attempt, please email ExamRegistration@dss.ca.gov prior to your scheduled exam date.
17. QUESTION: I missed or cancelled an exam, does that count as one of my three attempts?
    ANSWER: No, it does not count as an attempt at this time. Reschedule by emailing ExamRegistration@dss.ca.gov and requesting a new date for the missed attempt. Please note you must pass your exam within three (3) attempts and within 60 days of completing the ICTP.
18. QUESTION:  What do I need to take the exam? 
    ANSWER: You will need the following to take the exam:
    • Computer/Laptop/Power cords
    • Webcam
    • Internet access
    • Valid government-issued identification with picture
    • Open book materials (optional)
    • Telephone (should you need to be reached during the exam in case of disconnection)
19. QUESTION:  Where should I take the exam? 
    ANSWER: You should choose a location that ensures a strong internet connection and is free of interruptions, such as background noise, other people or animals in the room, as well as any other potential items of distraction.
20. QUESTION:  What should I expect on the day of the exam?
    ANSWER: On the day of the exam, expect to:
    • Have your webcam on
    • Provide a valid government-issued identification with picture
    • Show what printed resources you intend to use
    • Be monitored by a trained ACB proctor
    • Have a time limit for the exam
    • Receive your results immediately after submitting your exam
21. QUESTION:  The exam is open book. What does this mean? 
    ANSWER: Open book means you may use acceptable printed resources during the exam. Refer to the Acceptable Resources section of the Exam Terms and Conditions to access and print relevant Health & Safety Codes and California Code of Regulations for each facility type. Electronic copies and personal notes are not permitted during the exam.
22. QUESTION:  How long will I have to take the exam? 
    ANSWER: Each exam is timed, and you will not have the opportunity to go back to the exam once the time limit has been reached. The number of questions and allotted exam times by facility type are as follows:

    Facility Type	# of Questions	Exam Time
    Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE)	100	120 Minutes
    Adult Residential Facility (ARF)	75	90 Minutes
    Group Home (GH)	75	90 Minutes
    Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP)	75	90 Minutes

During the Exam

23. QUESTION:  Is the exam recorded? 
    ANSWER: Yes. The exam session is recorded from the start of the check-in process. Recording will continue until completion of the exam.
24. QUESTION:  How does the proctor know it’s me taking the exam and not someone else? 
    ANSWER:  You will be required to present a valid government-issued photo ID. The name on your ID must match the name in your personal profile under which your appointment is recorded. Valid means of identification can be:
    • Driver's license
    • Government-issued passport
    • Military ID
25. QUESTION:  Are bathroom breaks allowed during the exam? 
    ANSWER: Yes, bathroom breaks are allowed; however, your exam timer will continue to run and cannot be paused. Once the timer reaches the exam time limit, your exam will be automatically submitted, and you will not be able to go back into the exam to finish any unanswered questions.
26. QUESTION:  What if I have a question or issue during the exam? 
    ANSWER: If you have a question or a technical issue during the exam, please reach out to the proctor. You can use the “raise hand” icon or send a private chat message from the exam window to notify the proctor.
27. QUESTION:  What if I have a technical issue before or during the exam? 
    ANSWER: If you encounter a technical issue that prevents you from taking the exam, reach out to the proctor, and they will work with you to resolve the issue. You can notify the proctor by raising your hand or sending a private chat message from the exam window. If your technical issue cannot be resolved, your exam appointment will be cancelled, and you will be able to register for and take the exam on another date.  Please note ACB reserves the right to verify all technical issues and approve additional attempts. It is recommended that you join the exam session at least 15-30 minutes before the start time to allow time for resolving technical issues. If you are not able to connect to your proctor, please email ExamRegistration@dss.ca.gov at least 15 minutes before the exam start time.

After the Exam

28. QUESTION:  When will I get my exam results?
    ANSWER:  Your exam results will be displayed immediately after you submit your exam in Blackboard. It will also be stored in the Grade section located in your Blackboard Learner Profile. Refer to the Blackboard User Guide for specific instructions on how to view your exam results.
29. QUESTION:  What score do I need to pass the exam?
    ANSWER:  You must have a score of at least seventy percent (70%) or more to pass the Administrator Certification Exam.
30. QUESTION:  What do I need to do after passing the exam? ANSWER: Within 30 days of being notified of having passed the exam, you must apply for administrator certification. For more information, review How to Become an Administrator and the Initial Application flowchart on our website.
31. QUESTION:  What if I do not pass the exam on my first attempt?  ANSWER: You have a total of three (3) attempts to pass the exam within sixty (60) days of completing your ICTP. If you do not pass the exam on your first attempt, you have another two (2) attempts to pass the exam.
32. QUESTION:  What if I fail all three (3) exam attempts?  ANSWER:  If you are unable to pass the Administrator Certification Exam within three (3) attempts, you must retake an ICTP before further exam attempts can be made.
33. QUESTION:  I have a question and cannot find the answer in the FAQ.
    ANSWER:  For questions not included as part of this FAQ resource, please contact the ACB exam team by email at ExamRegistration@dss.ca.gov.

FAQs updated 8/15/2025

Resources