An Applicant may apply for licensure by (1) Degree and practical experience; or (2) Certificate program; or (3) Administrator-in-training program. Refer to Regulation 18 VAC 95-20-220. In addition, all applicants must receive a passing grade on the national examination.
For applicants who are applying by credentials or who have already completed an Administrator-In-Training (AIT) Program:
Yes, the Board may issue a license to any person who holds a current, unrestricted license from any state or the District of Columbia and either: (1) has been engaged in active practice as a licensed nursing home administrator; or (2) has education and experience equivalent to qualifications for initial licensure. "Active practice" means a minimum of 1,000 hours of practice as a licensed nursing home administrator within the preceding 24 months.
Application files shall be retained by the Board for one year, after which time, the application file shall be destroyed and a new application, supporting documentation, and the fee will be required.
To be approved as an administrator-in-training, a person shall:
Applicants for licensure require a current report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB).
This requirement applies to all applications received on or after July 16, 2015, for licensure as an Administrator or Preceptor for both Nursing Home and Assisted Living Facility professions. This also includes anyone applying for reinstatement of their license and licensure by endorsement.
Anyone applying for registration as an Administrator-in-Training (AIT) will not be required to submit the NPDB report.
This is not a requirement for the renewal of your license.
Once you receive the report, please forward a copy to the Board by email or include it with your application supporting documentation.
A completed Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) licensure application is required before an applicant can be approved to take the national exam through NAB.
There is no state exam requirement.
As of July 1, 2023, NAB will no longer restrict a candidate on the number of times they may take the CORE, NHA, or RCAL examinations in a calendar year.
As of July 1, 2023, NAB will no longer restrict a candidate on the number of times they may take the CORE, NHA, or RCAL examinations in a calendar year.
The NAB Exam Candidate Handbook is an important resource for candidates preparing to take the exam(s). The Handbook includes an overview of the registration and testing process and the structure of the exams, as well as links to resources and information.
A NAB Study Guide is also available for those preparing for their exam(s).
Examinations must be scheduled and completed within a 60-day window from receiving NAB's Authorization to Test email.
Licensees must renew their license by March 31 each year by going to Online Licensing and entering the Personal Identification Number (PIN) number provided on the renewal form.
An extension of time for active duty servicemen and spouses is permitted. The DHP Policy allows a licensee to make arrangements as necessary to ensure that persons serving on active duty as a member of the military or in Foreign Service outside the United States or their spouses are accorded the benefit of an extension of time for any deadline or requirement pertaining to the renewal of a license, certification or registration. Extensions should be granted for at least 60 days after the person's return to the United States, not to exceed five years from the date of expiration.
Requirements for Active-Duty Extension of Renewal: A Copy of Military Orders or form DD214 placing the licensee on active duty outside the United States is considered sufficient documentation to determine eligibility. A request for the extension of renewal fee/continuing education should include the projected return date to the United States.
No, your license will automatically expire if not renewed by the deadline. You do not need to notify the Board in any way.
Licensees must obtain 20 hours of approved education for renewal each year. Up to 10 of the 20 hours may be obtained through internet or self-study courses, and up to 10 continuing education hours in excess of the number required may be transferred or credited to the next renewal year.
Effective December 21, 2022, at least two hours of continuing education for each renewal year shall relate to the care of residents with mental or cognitive impairments, including Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Effective December 21, 2022, if you are the preceptor of an approved AIT program, you can earn additional hours towards continuing education for your active service for each renewal year. Please review the Preceptor FAQs for more information.
For a continuing education course to be approved by the Board, it shall be related to health care administration and shall be approved by the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) or by an accredited institution or government agency, or as provided in the regulations.
The Board may grant an extension of up to one year or an exemption for all or part of the continuing education requirements due to circumstances beyond the administrator's control, such as certified illness, temporary disability, mandatory military service, or official disasters. The request for an extension shall be received in writing and granted by the Board prior to the renewal date.
Licensees shall retain in their personal files, for three renewal years, complete documentation of continuing education, including evidence of attendance or participation as provided by the approved sponsor for each course taken. For further information, refer to 18 VAC 95-20-175 of the regulations.
You should submit the Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) license reinstatement application, the reinstatement fee, and provide one of the following:
(1) Evidence of the equivalent of 20 hours of continuing education for each year since the last renewal, not to exceed a total of 60 hours; or
(2) Evidence of active practice in another or U.S. jurisdiction or in the U.S. armed services during the period licensure in Virginia was lapsed; or
(3) Evidence of requalifying for licensure by meeting the requirements prescribed in 18 VAC 95-20-220 or 18 VAC 95-20-225.
You should submit the Preceptor Reinstatement Application, the reinstatement fee, and meet the current requirements for a preceptor in effect at the time of application for reinstatement.
All address changes must be in writing. You may use the Name and Address Change Form to submit your request. The completed form may be faxed, emailed, or mailed to the board office. Address changes can also be made online by going to Online Licensing.
Name changes must be submitted in writing and include legal documentation such as a court order, marriage license, or divorce decree. Name changes may also be faxed, e-mailed, or mailed to the board office.
To obtain a duplicate license, submit a written request and the required fee. Licensees may also request a duplicate license by going to Online Licensing.
Effective November 1, 2019, the Virginia Board of Long-Term Care Administrators implemented an electronic process for Verifications of Licensure. The Virginia Board of Long-Term Care Administrators electronically sends the Verification of Licensure with available public information to the jurisdiction you designate.
To request an electronic verification of licensure to be sent to another licensing jurisdiction, please submit a complete Request for Verification of Virginia Long-Term Care Administrators License form and the required fee.
Allow five to seven business days for processing. The Board verifies the profession, license number, issue date, expiration date, how the licensee obtained Virginia licensure, and if there have been any disciplinary actions.
Verifications received without the required fee will not be processed.
Mail your request and fee to:
Board of Long-Term Care Administrators
Perimeter Center
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300
Henrico, Virginia 23233-1463
You may also verify licensure information online using License Lookup, which provides current, primary source verification of licensure.
Board of Long-Term Care Administrators
Email: ltc@dhp.virginia.gov
Corie E. Tillman Wolf, J.D., Executive Director
Jenny Inker, Ph.D., MBA, ALFA, Chair