Administrator Certification Renewal Procedures

Use the following checklist to ensure your renewal application is complete. Keep a copy of your application packet for your records.

1. Complete the required Continuing Education Training Program (CETP) hours for the facility type according to your certificate, from an ACB approved vendor.

Note:  Initial Certification Training Program (ICTP) courses cannot be used to satisfy training requirements for administrator certificate renewals.  

CETP hours may be completed anytime during the certificate’s active period (between effective and expiration date).  

CETP Requirements

Certification renewal of each facility type listed below requires 40 hours (with the exception of Residential Care Facility for the Elderly with a valid Nursing Home License); at least 20 of which must be conducted in an ACB approved live course format, and 20 may be completed via ACB approved self-paced course format:

• Group Home (GH): 40 hours; at least four (4) hours of instruction in laws, regulations, policies and procedural standards for the certificate facility type.
• Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP): 40 hours; at least four (4) hours of instruction in laws, regulations, policies and procedural standards for the certificate facility type.
• Adult Residential Facility (ARF): 40 hours; at least four (4) hours of instruction in laws, regulations, policies and procedural standards for the certificate facility type.
• Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE): 40 hours; at least four (4) hours of instruction in laws, regulations, policies and procedural standards for the certificate facility type; and at least eight (8) hours in subjects related to serving residents with Alzheimer’s Disease or other dementias.
• RCFE with valid Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) license (RCFE-NHA) issued by the CA Department of Public Health: 20 hours; at least four (4) hours of instruction in laws, regulations, policies and procedural standards for the certificate facility type; and at least eight (8) hours in subjects related to serving residents with Alzheimer’s Disease or other dementias.  20 of which may be completed via self-paced training.

Note: ACB will not accept more than ten (10) hours of instruction completed in a single day. 

Renewal Reminders

If you renew more than two (2) years but less than four (4) years after your certificate expiration date, you must complete the required hours for each two-year renewal cycle. This means you must complete twice the required hours, and up to half of them may be done through self-paced courses. 

Administrators who are within four (4) years of their certificate expiration date must renew their certificate by taking CETP courses, not an ICTP course.

Administrator certificates expired for more than four (4) years cannot be renewed. Administrators must start the administrator certification process again by taking an ICTP course.

Administrator certificate expiration dates are located on each administrator certificate.  During your active two year certificate cycle, you may also verify your expiration date by accessing ACB’s Active Administrator Certificates List.

2. Submit your application packet no more than 90 days before the administrator certification expiration date. 

To avoid processing delays, log in to your Administrator Certification Online Application Portal (portal) account to submit your renewal application, pay fees, and upload your Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to meet the CETP requirements.  Information about the portal is available on ACB’s Online Application Portal webpage.  You also have the option to mail your application packet to ACB.

If you are applying for recertification using the portal:

• On the portal, click the “Renew” button.  A “Credential Details” window will open up.  The information captured and submitted in this window is the same information captured on the Application for Administrator Certification (LIC 9214).  Complete the required fields.  Submitting a separate LIC 9214 is not required.

• Upload proof of completion of CETP hours in the form of a certificate of completion under “Education Credits.”
• Pay the renewal application processing fee of $140 under “Payment Center.”
• For additional information on using and navigating the portal, access the Instructional Manual for Using the Online Application Portal on ACB’s website.

If you are mailing your application packet, submit the following:

• A completed Application for Administrator Certification (LIC 9214).
• Proof of completion of CETP hours in the form of a certificate of completion.

• An application processing fee in the amount of $140.
  • For processing fees, submit a complete and signed check or money order made payable to “CDSS - ACB” to the mailing address below.
     

Mail application packet to:
Administrator Certification Bureau (ACB)

744 P Street, MS 9-15-807

Sacramento, CA 95814

Note: If your application is submitted or postmarked after the certificate expiration date, or if your application becomes complete after the certificate expiration date, you must pay a $300 delinquency fee in addition to the regular application processing fee.

If, after reviewing the information on our website, you have further questions, you may contact ACB at AdminCertInfo@dss.ca.gov, or (916) 653-9300.

Key References available on the administrator regulations page: California Health and Safety Code sections 1522.41(f), 1562.3(f) and 1569.616(f) California Code of Regulations Title 22, Div. 6, sections 84064.3 (GH), 85064.3 (ARF), 87064.3 (STRTP), and 87407 (RCFE).