(a) (1) An administrator of a residential care facility for the elderly shall successfully complete a department-approved administrator certification training program pursuant to subdivision (c) prior to employment.

(2) If an individual is both the licensee and the administrator of a licensed facility, or a licensed nursing home administrator, the individual shall comply with the requirements of this section unless they qualify for one of the exemptions provided for in subdivision (b).

(3) Failure to comply with this section shall constitute cause for revocation of the license of the facility where an individual is functioning as the administrator.

(4) The licensee shall notify the department within 30 days of any change in administrators.

(b) Individuals seeking exemptions under paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) shall meet the following criteria and fulfill the required portions of the certification program, as the case may be:

(1) An individual designated as the administrator of a residential care facility for the elderly who holds a valid license as a nursing home administrator issued in accordance with Chapter 2.35 (commencing with Section 1416) of Division 2 shall be required to complete the areas in the uniform core of knowledge required by this section that pertain to the law, regulations, policies, and procedural standards that impact the operations of residential care facilities for the elderly, the use, misuse, and interaction of medication commonly used by the elderly in a residential setting, and resident admission, retention, and assessment procedures, equal to 12 hours of instruction conducive to learning, in which participants are able to simultaneously interact with each other as well as with the instructor. An individual meeting the requirements of this paragraph shall not be required to take an examination.

(2) If an individual was both the licensee and administrator on or before July 1, 1991, the individual shall be required to complete all the areas specified for the administrator certification training program, but shall not be required to take the examination required by this section. Those individuals exempted from the examination shall be issued a conditional certification that is valid only for the administrator of the facility for which the exemption was granted.

(A) As a condition to becoming an administrator of another facility, the individual shall be required to pass the examination provided for in this section.

(B) As a condition to applying for a new facility license, the individual shall be required to pass the examination provided for in Section 1569.23.

(c) (1) An administrator certification training program for residential care facilities for the elderly shall require a minimum of 80 hours of coursework, which shall include at least 60 hours of instruction conducive to learning, in which participants are able to simultaneously interact with each other, as well as with the instructor, and that provides training on a uniform core of knowledge in each of the following areas:

(A) Laws, regulations, and policies and procedural standards that impact the operations of residential care facilities for the elderly.

(B) Business operations.

(C) Management and supervision of staff.

(D) Psychosocial needs of the elderly.

(E) Community and support services.

(F) Physical needs for elderly persons.

(G) Medication management, including the use, misuse, and interaction of medication commonly used by the elderly, including antipsychotics and the adverse effects of psychotropic drugs for use in controlling the behavior of persons with dementia.

(H) Resident admission, retention, and assessment procedures.

(I) Managing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, including nonpharmacologic, person-centered approaches to dementia care.

(J) Cultural competency and sensitivity in issues relating to the underserved aging lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.

(K) Residents’ rights and the importance of initial and ongoing training for all staff to ensure that residents’ rights are fully respected and implemented.

(L) Managing the physical environment, including, but not limited to, maintenance and housekeeping.

(M) Postural supports, restricted health conditions, and hospice care.

(2) Individuals applying for administrator certification under this section shall successfully complete an approved administrator certification training program, pass an examination administered by the department within 60 days of completing the program, submit to the department an administrator certification application and the documentation required by subdivision (d) to the department within 30 days of being notified of having passed the test. The department may extend these time deadlines for good cause. The department shall notify the applicant of the results within 30 days of administering the test.

(3) The department shall ensure the test consists of at least 100 questions and allows an applicant to have access to the California Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly Act and related regulations during the test. The department, no later than July 1 of every other year, shall review and revise the test in order to ensure the rigor and quality of the test. Each year, the department shall ensure, by January 1, that the test is not in conflict with current law. The department may convene a stakeholder group to assist in developing and reviewing test questions.

(d) The department shall not begin the process of issuing an administrator certificate until receipt of all of the following:

(1) An administrator certification application.

(2) A certificate of completion of the administrator certification training program required pursuant to this section.

(3) The fee for processing an administrator certification application, including the issuance of the administrator certificate, as specified in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (l).

(4) Documentation that the applicant has passed the examination or of qualifying for an exemption pursuant to subdivision (b).

(5) Submission of fingerprints pursuant to Section 1569.17. The department and the Department of Justice shall expedite the criminal record clearance for holders of certificates of completion. The department may waive the submission for those persons who have a current criminal record clearance or exemption on file.

(e) It shall be unlawful for a person not certified under this section to hold themselves out as a certified administrator of a residential care facility for the elderly. A person willfully making a false representation as being a certified administrator is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(f) (1) An administrator certificate issued under this section shall be renewed every two years and renewal shall be conditional upon the certificate holder submitting documentation of completion of 40 hours of continuing education related to the uniform core of knowledge specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c). No more than one-half of the required 40 hours of continuing education necessary to renew the certificate may be satisfied through self-paced courses. All other continuing education hours shall be completed in an instructional setting, conducive to learning, and in which participants are able to simultaneously interact with each other as well as with the instructor. For purposes of this section, individuals who hold a valid license as a nursing home administrator issued in accordance with Chapter 2.35 (commencing with Section 1416) of Division 2 and meet the requirements of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) shall only be required to complete 20 hours of continuing education.

(2) A certified administrator of a residential care facility for the elderly is required to renew their administrator certificate and shall complete the continuing education requirements of this subdivision whether the person is certified according to subdivision (a) or (b). At least eight hours of the 40-hour continuing education requirement for a certified administrator of a residential care facility for the elderly shall include instruction on serving clients with dementia, including, but not limited to, instruction related to direct care, physical environment, and admissions procedures and assessment.

(3) An administrator certificate issued under this section shall expire every two years, on the anniversary date of the initial issuance of the certificate, except that any administrator receiving their initial certification on or after January 1, 1999, shall make an irrevocable election to have the recertification date for any subsequent recertification either on the date two years from the date of issuance of the certificate or on the individual’s birthday during the second calendar year following certification. The department shall send a renewal notice to the certificate holder 90 days prior to the expiration date of the certificate. If the certificate is not renewed prior to its expiration date, reinstatement shall only be permitted after the certificate holder has paid a delinquency fee specified in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (l), and has provided evidence of completion of the continuing education required.

(4) To renew an administrator certificate, the certificate holder shall, on or before the certificate expiration date, submit to the department an administrator certification renewal application and documentation of completion of the required continuing education courses and pay the renewal fee specified in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (l), irrespective of receipt of the department’s notification of the renewal. A renewal request postmarked on or before the expiration of the certificate is proof of compliance with this paragraph.

(5) A suspended or revoked administrator certificate is subject to expiration as provided for in this section. If reinstatement of the certificate is approved by the department, the certificate holder, as a condition precedent to reinstatement, shall submit proof of compliance with paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subdivision, and shall pay a fee in an amount equal to the renewal fee, plus the delinquency fee, if any, as specified in subparagraphs (A) and (C) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (l), accrued at the time of its revocation or suspension.

(6) An administrator certificate that is not renewed within four years after its expiration shall not be renewed, restored, reissued, or reinstated except upon completion of an administrator certification training program, passing any test that may be required of an applicant for a new certificate at that time, and paying the fee specified in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (l).

(7) The department shall charge a fee for the reissuance of a lost administrator certificate, as specified in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (l).

(8) A certificate holder shall inform the department of their employment status within 30 days of any change.

(g) The department may revoke a certificate issued under this section for any of the following:

(1) Procuring a certificate by fraud or misrepresentation.

(2) Knowingly making or giving any false statement or information in conjunction with the application for issuance of a certificate.

(3) Criminal conviction, unless an exemption is granted pursuant to Section 1569.17.

(h) Unless otherwise ordered by the department, an administrator certificate shall be considered forfeited under either of the following conditions:

(1) The administrator has had a license revoked, suspended, or denied as authorized under Section 1569.50.

(2) The administrator has been denied employment, residence, or presence in a facility based on action resulting from an administrative hearing pursuant to Section 1569.58.

(i) (1) The department shall establish, by regulation, the program content, the testing instrument, the process for approving administrator certification training programs, and criteria to be used in authorizing individuals, organizations, or educational institutions as vendors to conduct administrator certification training programs and continuing education courses. These regulations shall be developed in consultation with provider and consumer organizations, and shall be made available at least six months prior to the deadline required for certification. The department may deny vendor approval to any agency or person that has not provided satisfactory evidence of their ability to meet the requirements of vendorization set out in the regulations adopted pursuant to subdivision (j).

(2) (A) A vendor of a self-paced online course shall ensure that each course contains all of the following:

(i) An interactive portion where the participant receives feedback, through online communication, based on input from the participant.

(ii) Required use of a personal identification number or personal identification information to confirm the identity of the participant.

(iii) A final screen displaying a printable statement, to be signed by the participant, certifying that the identified participant completed the course. The vendor shall obtain a copy of the final screen statement with the original signature of the participant prior to the issuance of a certificate of completion. The signed statement of completion shall be maintained by the vendor for a period of three years and be available to the department upon demand. A person who certifies as true any material matter pursuant to this section that the person knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(B) This section does not prohibit the department from approving online programs that do not meet the requirements of subparagraph (A) if the vendor demonstrates to the department’s satisfaction that, through advanced technology, the course and the course delivery meet the requirements of this section.

(3) The department may authorize vendors to conduct the administrator certification training program and continuing education courses pursuant to this section. The department shall conduct the examination pursuant to regulations adopted by the department.

(4) The department shall prepare and maintain an updated list of approved training vendors.

(5) The department may inspect administrator certification training programs and continuing education courses, including online courses, at no charge to the department, in order to determine if content and teaching methods comply with paragraphs (1) and (2), if applicable, and with regulations. If the department determines that a vendor is not complying with the requirements of this section, the department shall take appropriate action to bring the program into compliance, which may include removing the vendor from the approved training vendor list.

(6) The department shall establish reasonable procedures and timeframes, not to exceed 30 days, for the approval of vendor training programs.

(7) The department shall charge a fee for an administrator certification training program vendor application or renewal, as specified in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (l).

(8) The department shall charge a fee for processing a continuing education training program vendor application or renewal, as specified in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (l).

(9) The department shall charge a fee for processing a continuing education training course, as specified in paragraph (4) of subdivision (l).

(j) This section shall be operative upon regulations being adopted by the department to implement the administrator certification training program as provided for in this section.

(k) The department shall establish a registry for certificate holders that shall include, at a minimum, information on employment status and criminal record clearance.

(l) The department shall charge nonrefundable fees, as follows:

(1) Commencing July 1, 2021, the fee amount in subparagraph (A) shall be incrementally increased by 10 percent each year, not to exceed 40 percent, over a four-year period. The current fee specified in subparagraph (A) will be the base for the increase each year and is effective July 1 of each year.

(A) The fee for processing an administrator certification application or renewal, including the issuance of the administrator certificate, is one hundred dollars ($100).

(B) The fee for the reissuance of a lost administrator certificate is twenty-five dollars ($25).

(C) The delinquency fee for processing a late administrator certification renewal application is three hundred dollars ($300), which shall be charged in addition to the fee specified in subparagraph (A).

(2) Commencing July 1, 2021, the fee for the administrator certification examination is one hundred dollars ($100), for up to three attempts.

(3) Commencing July 1, 2021, fee amounts in subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall be incrementally increased by 10 percent each year, not to exceed 40 percent, over a four-year period. The current fee specified in subparagraphs (A) and (B) will be the base for the increase each year and is effective July 1 of each year.

(A) The fee for processing an administrator certification training program vendor application or renewal is one hundred fifty dollars ($150) for each licensed facility type.

(B) The fee for processing a continuing education training program vendor application or renewal is one hundred dollars ($100) for each licensed facility type.

(4) Commencing July 1, 2021, the fee for processing a continuing education course is ten dollars ($10) per continuing education unit for each licensed facility type.

(5) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive, a fee charged pursuant to this subdivision shall not exceed the reasonable costs to the department of conducting the certification training program.

(m) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a vendor approved by the department who exclusively provides either an administrator certification training program or continuing education courses for administrators of a residential care facility for the elderly, as defined in Section 1569.2, shall be regulated solely by the department pursuant to this chapter. No other state or local governmental entity shall be responsible for regulating the activity of those vendors.

(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 43, Sec. 23. (AB 120) Effective July 10, 2023.)