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    Pennsylvania Licensure Requirements

    Varying Educational Requirements

    2 Examinations

    6 Months to 3 Years of Experience (Varies based on level of education)

    3 Hours of Continuing Education 

    $40.00 Initial Fee

    $297.00 Renewal Fee
      

    Individuals licensed by the state board who engage in the planning, organizing, directing and control of the operation of a nursing home.

    Educational Requirement: 

    The applicant must satisfy one of the following experience requirements for licensure:

    • Acceptable master’s degree from an accredited college/university.
    • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university and completion of the Board approved 120-hour program (if applicable).
    • 2 years of college-level study at an accredited college/university and completion of the Board approved 120-hour program.
    • Completion of the Board approved 120-hour program and been issued a registered nurse (RN) license which is currently renewed.
    • A high school diploma and completion of the Board approved 120-hour program.

     

    Examination Requirement: 

    2 Examinations
    An applicant must pass the National Exam, which contains 2 sections:

    Core of Knowledge Exam for Long Term Care Administrators (CORE) and The Line of Service Exam - Nursing Home Administrators (NHA).

    The applicant must also pass the State Based Licensing Exam (Pennsylvania NHA).

    Experience: 

    6 Months to 3 Years of Experience Required (Based on level of education)

    All experience must be supervised by a licensed nursing home administrator.  Please review section 39.5(b) of the Board’s regulations for the specific timing requirements for the experience.

    The applicant must satisfy one of the following experience requirements for licensure:

    • Applicant must hold an acceptable master's degree and complete 6 months of acceptable supervisory experience
    • Applicant must hold an acceptable master's degree and complete an 800 hour Administer-In-Training (AIT) program approved by the Board (AIT program must be approved by the Board prior to starting the program)
    • Applicant must hold a bachelor's degree, complete the Board approved 120-hour program (if applicable), and complete 9 months of acceptable assistant administrator experience
    • Applicant must hold a bachelor's degree, complete the Board approved 120-hour program (if applicable), and complete 18 months of acceptable supervisory experience and 1,000 hours in the practice of nursing home administration
    • Applicant must hold a bachelor's degree, complete the Board approved 120-hour program (if applicable), and complete a 1,000 hour AIT program approved by the Board (AIT program must be approved by the Board prior to starting the program)
    • Applicant must complete the Board approved 120-hour program, have a currently renewed RN license, and have completed 6 months of acceptable Director of Nursing (DON) experience followed immediately by 12 months of acceptable assistant administrator experience
    • Applicant must complete the Board approved 120-hour program, have a currently renewed RN license, have completed 2 years of acceptable DON experience, and 1,000 hours in the practice of nursing home administration
    • Applicant must complete two years of college-level study, complete the Board approved 120-hour program, and complete 18 months of acceptable assistant administrator experience
    • Applicant must complete two years of college-level study, complete Board approved 120-hour program, complete 3 years of acceptable supervisory experience, and complete 1,000 hours in the practice of nursing home administration

    Continuing Education: 

    3 Hours (for initial licensure) 

    Applicants must complete 3 hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting for initial licensure. 

     

    48 Hours (when renwing license)

    48 hours of continuing education required for licensure renewal, which includes 2 hours in child abuse recognition and reporting.

    Initial Licensing Fee: 

    $40.00

    Licensure Renewal Fee: 

    $297.00
    Biennial renewal of license.

    Licensure by Endorsement & Licensure by Act 41:

    Nursing Home Administrators licensed in another state may apply for a Pennsylvania license by endorsement. An endorsement applicant is required pass the State Based Licensing Exam (Pennsylvania NHA). 

    Act 41 allows for portability of out-of-state professional licensees coming to work in Pennsylvania. Act 41 does this by granting all boards and commissions within the Commonwealth the authority to endorse licensees from other states, territories, or jurisdictions (with substantially equivalent licensing requirements) who are active, in good standing and without discipline against their license or criminal conviction.