What past attendees say about our Administrator Certification Program:

“Thank you so much for [the] wonderful training last week. I learned so much. I can’t think of a thing that could have been done better. I had so many questions answered that I didn’t even know I had!”

“… I enjoyed the AIT course and training. It was a tremendous opportunity to combine classroom training and hands-on field experience to get a great overview of rules and operations in North Carolina. You were so available for my questions, and my preceptor was a great support and teacher … I thank you for a wonderful experience!”

“I admit that I was dreading the all-day classes, but I was pleased with the presentation and overall quality of every speaker and topic.”

“This training was very, very informative and has provided a lot of great material to share with other staff.”

“This class was very beneficial. I got a lot out of it, and I am glad that NCALA is here for training.”

“This was a very good opportunity to network with others in a similar situation. Great learning experience.”

NCALA Assisted Living Administrator Certification Program

You need to complete the following two forms (one for NCALA and one for DHSR), and send them to NCALA along with copies of your driver’s license, college diploma or transcript, and a current résumé:

• NCALA Assisted Living Administrator Certification Program Application for Enrollment Form
• DHSR Assisted Living Administrator Certification Application

You will need Adobe’s Acrobat Reader to view and print the registration forms. You can get it for free on the Adobe Web site.

DO NOT SEND ANYTHING TO DHSR. NCALA WILL ASSEMBLE ALL REQUIRED MATERIALS FOR YOU AND DELIVER THEM TO DHSR.

Your applications will not be processed until payment is received or alternate arrangements have been made (contact us if you need to discuss payment arrangements). The cost of NCALA’s Assisted Living Administrator Certification Program is $895 for members and $1095 for non-members. (If you work for a member company, you can attend at the member rate. If you are not a member or do not work for a member company, you may be eligible to join our association as an individual member and save $100!) For more information, or if you have questions, contact us. To register, please visit the Training Schedule page and use the applicable links to register online for the class you want to attend. 

Below you will find information about:

• DHSR Requirements for Certification
• Benefits of NCALA Assisted Living Administrator Certification Program
• Classroom Training
• Preceptor Assignment
• Networking Opportunities
• Certification
• One All-inclusive Cost

DHSR Requirements for Certification top

• Applicant must submit an Assisted Living Administrator Certification Application.
• Applicant must be 21 years of age.
• Applicant must undergo a satisfactory criminal history fingerprint card check by the SBI (completed by NCALA).
• Applicant must provide official transcript from an accredited college or university of the completion of at least 2 years of college coursework (60 semester hours)
  OR
  must provide official transcript from an accredited college or university of the completion of at least 1 year college coursework (30 semester hours) plus proof of at least 2 years of supervisory experience in a licensed adult care home, nursing home, or other health or residential care setting within the 5 years preceding the date of application for certification.
• Applicant must complete the 120-hour NCALA Assisted Living Administrator Certification Program.
• Applicant must successfully complete a written Adult Care Administrators Exam administered by DHSR.
• All administrator certifications must be renewed every 2 years by submitting proof of obtaining 30 CEUs (per 2-year period; each 2-year period starts on even-numbered years).
• For more information, visit the NC Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Facility Services Assisted Living Administrator Certification Information Web page.

Benefits of the NCALA Assisted Living Administrator Certification Program top

• Approved by the NC Division of Facility Services (DHSR).
• One fee covers the total cost of the program.
• Assisted Living Administrator Certification Program offered several times throughout each year.
• Only 2 ½ days of classroom training.
• Self-study program allows individuals to complete the training at their own pace.
• You have six months from the date of the classroom training to complete the coursework.
• Coursework is broken into three self-study modules that are completed with the guidance of a preceptor assigned by NCALA.
• All state-required paperwork is coordinated by the NCALA office.
  DO NOT SEND ANYTHING TO DHSR. We will do this for you.

Classroom Training top

Each Administrator-in-Training (AIT) attends an intensive 2½-day training session in Raleigh that covers:

• NC rules and regulations
• Training in areas that are most frequently non-compliant with state inspectors
• All materials needed to complete the training
• SBI fingerprint checks completed on-site
• Material taught by professionals working in the assisted living industry

DO NOT SEND ANYTHING TO DHSR. We will do this for you.

Preceptor Assignment top

Each preceptor is approved by DHSR and will ensure that the trainee understands the training material and can translate it into real-world situations.

• Preceptors are assigned by NCALA.
• The preceptor will be your primary contact during the self-study segment of the course.
• The preceptor will approve homework assignments from the three self-study modules.
• The preceptor will administer closed-book tests at the end of each self-study module.
• The preceptor will answer questions and review any problems with the course work.

Networking Opportunities top

• Opportunity during the 2½-day class to network with others in the assisted living industry.
• Course is taught by the NCALA Executive Director and members of the NCALA Board of Directors.

Certification top

• Certificate of Completion will be issued by NCALA to trainee after all required materials have been received.
• Certificate of Completion and other required materials will be coordinated and forwarded by NCALA to DHSR.
• After the State Rules Exam is passed, state certification will be issued by DHSR.

One All-inclusive Cost top

The cost of the NCALA Assisted Living Administrator Certification Program includes:

• All classroom training, including breakfast and lunch on days of training.
• All textbooks and course materials.
• Required criminal background fingerprint checks.
• A personal preceptor.
• All administrative fees.

You will need Adobe’s Acrobat Reader to view and print the registration forms. You can get it for free on the Adobe Web site.