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Georgia Assisted Living Administrator — Requirements & Free Practice

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Assisted Living Community Administrator

Individual administrator license for an assisted living community. Initial qualifications, reciprocity, and changes to the same license are set out in Department 393. The volunteer special-license definition in O.C.G.A. 43-1-28(b)(2) does not enumerate this profession.

Licensing authority: Georgia State Board of Long-Term Care Facility Administrators · Application information

Placement of an existing license on inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing license
Hold a current license and do not practice as an administrator; submit written application and inactive-status fee.
Practice prohibited
The Board may grant or deny inactive status in its sole discretion; inactive licensees cannot practice long-term care facility administration.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial licensure through an existing Georgia Nursing Home Administrator license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit a complete signed and notarized application, supporting documents, and the prescribed nonrefundable fee; disclose background and disciplinary matters and provide requested supporting documents.
Character
Reputable and responsible character.
Existing license
Hold an active, unencumbered Georgia Nursing Home Administrator license under Rule 393-3-.04(e)4. The existing professional license is the qualification; the route does not name an examination of this profession.
Facility qualification
Qualified to work in the applicable assisted living community or personal care home under Department of Community Health and Board rules.
Lawful presence
United States citizenship or valid residency and work status; submit a secure and verifiable document and citizenship affidavit.
Minimum age
At least 21 years old.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial licensure through an HSE qualification
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit a complete signed and notarized application, supporting documents, and the prescribed nonrefundable fee; disclose background and disciplinary matters and provide requested supporting documents.
Character
Reputable and responsible character.
Facility qualification
Qualified to work in the applicable assisted living community or personal care home under Department of Community Health and Board rules.
Hse qualification
Hold the NAB Health Services Executive (HSE) qualification and transfer the HSE application to Georgia through NAB. The qualification is an applicant condition; Rule 393-3-.04(e)2 and O.C.G.A. 43-27-7(a) accept the qualification rather than naming a currently offered examination for this pathway.
Lawful presence
United States citizenship or valid residency and work status; submit a secure and verifiable document and citizenship affidavit.
Minimum age
At least 21 years old.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial licensure with a healthcare related master degree and RCAL examination
NAB National Residential Care/Assisted Living Administrators Line of Service Exam (RC/AL)
Application
Submit a complete signed and notarized application, supporting documents, and the prescribed nonrefundable fee; disclose background and disciplinary matters and provide requested supporting documents.
Board exam approval
Submit the completed initial application before the Board can make the applicant eligible to test.
Character
Reputable and responsible character.
Core exam not registered
The Board initial application, page 1, requires passage of the General Knowledge Exam for Long-Term Care Facility Administrators (CORE) together with the RCAL Line of Service examination. CORE has no version in the frozen sharedExamContext or knownRegistrations; it remains an examination condition pending nationwide registration.
Degree
Hold a master degree in a healthcare-related field with at least 21 semester hours concentrated on healthcare services administration and management. Submit official transcripts.
Facility qualification
Qualified to work in the applicable assisted living community or personal care home under Department of Community Health and Board rules.
Lawful presence
United States citizenship or valid residency and work status; submit a secure and verifiable document and citizenship affidavit.
Minimum age
At least 21 years old.
Late renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Thirty Board-approved clock hours per biennium in Rule 393-13-.04 subjects; no more than 22 online and at least 8 in person or instructor-led interactive live webinar. First renewal after even-year issuance requires 15 hours; odd-year issuance is exempt at first renewal. If multiple Board licenses are held, satisfy the highest requirement, at most 40 hours.
Documentation
Retain CE records for three years and supply proof when audited; use eligible sources in Rule 393-13-.02.
Exam credit
Rules 393-5-.01(5) and 393-13-.04(4) count passing the qualifying national examination during the biennium as 20 CE hours. This optional CE credit does not require an examination for ordinary renewal.
Late period
Renew from January 1 through January 31 of the following even-numbered year; pay the renewal fee plus 50 percent and submit proof of all CE requirements for the biennium. Practice is prohibited after expiration of the late-renewal period until licensed.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Military service member, transitioning service member, or military spouse reciprocity
Application
Submit a complete signed and notarized application, supporting documents, and the prescribed nonrefundable fee; disclose background and disciplinary matters and provide requested supporting documents.
Board discretion
Licensure remains subject to Board discretion, including discipline and other matters questioning competence.
Character
Reputable and responsible character.
Equivalence
Meet substantially equivalent Georgia licensure requirements; applicants from jurisdictions that do not require licensure must use the initial pathway.
Existing license
Hold a current, unencumbered administrator license from a licensing jurisdiction and cause direct verification of it and every other license ever held to be sent to the Board.
Facility qualification
Qualified to work in the applicable assisted living community or personal care home under Department of Community Health and Board rules.
Lawful presence
United States citizenship or valid residency and work status; submit a secure and verifiable document and citizenship affidavit.
Military equivalence
The existing license is in good standing and its training, experience, and testing substantially meet or exceed Georgia requirements; submit direct verification and the completed reciprocity application and fee. Read with the generally applicable ALCA/PCHA examination alternatives in Rule 393-9-.04.
Military status
Provide documentation satisfactory to the Board of service-member, transitioning-service-member, or military-spouse status under Rule 393-9-.03. A transitioning member is on active duty or separation leave within 24 months of retirement or 12 months of separation.
Minimum age
At least 21 years old.
Other accepted examinations
Rule 393-9-.04(1)(b) and the reciprocity form also accept the Nursing Home Administration national examination (an examination of the nursing-home administrator profession), a Board-recognized predecessor examination, or another Board-recognized written or oral examination. These are conditions rather than invented RCAL alternatives; the unnamed examination remainder is subject to Board recognition. No particular discontinued predecessor is named.
Score report
Request that NAB send or transfer the examination score report to the Board. Passing before applying does not remove the registered RCAL examination from the route.
Reactivation: Hold an active current license elsewhere and have at least one year of administrator employment before application; submit verification of that license.
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the appropriate reactivation application, forms, and fee.
Current board checklist
The current Board licensure guide (https://sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-guide-long-term-care-facility-licensure), independently read through server-side access on 2026-09-30 after local retrieval failed, lists "Passed Exam" for ALCA reactivation and "Passing Exam Score" in the reactivation checklist following PCHA reinstatement. Rule 393-12-.02 governs this applicant-specific alternative; the checklist does not identify an additional examination.
Eligibility
Hold an active current license elsewhere and have at least one year of administrator employment before application; submit verification of that license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation after more than 36 months of inactivity
Ce or exam
Rule 393-12-.02(c) allows twice the biennial CE amount (60 hours), obtained since the Board last renewal period, OR passage of the qualifying NAB examination or another Board-recognized written or oral examination. The CE alternative excuses an applicant from sitting the examination; the currently offered RCAL examination remains a leaf. Other unspecified approved written or oral examinations remain conditions.
Current application
Meet current application requirements and submit reactivation application, forms, and fee.
Inactivity
License inactive for more than 36 months.
Reactivation: License inactive 12 to 24 months
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the appropriate reactivation application, forms, and fee.
Current board checklist
The current Board licensure guide (https://sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-guide-long-term-care-facility-licensure), independently read through server-side access on 2026-09-30 after local retrieval failed, lists "Passed Exam" for ALCA reactivation and "Passing Exam Score" in the reactivation checklist following PCHA reinstatement. Rule 393-12-.02 governs this applicant-specific alternative; the checklist does not identify an additional examination.
Eligibility
License inactive 12 to 24 months: submit 30 CE hours obtained since the Board last renewal period.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation: License inactive 25 to 36 months
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the appropriate reactivation application, forms, and fee.
Current board checklist
The current Board licensure guide (https://sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-guide-long-term-care-facility-licensure), independently read through server-side access on 2026-09-30 after local retrieval failed, lists "Passed Exam" for ALCA reactivation and "Passing Exam Score" in the reactivation checklist following PCHA reinstatement. Rule 393-12-.02 governs this applicant-specific alternative; the checklist does not identify an additional examination.
Eligibility
License inactive 25 to 36 months: submit 60 CE hours obtained since the Board last renewal period.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation: License inactive for less than 12 months
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the appropriate reactivation application, forms, and fee.
Current board checklist
The current Board licensure guide (https://sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-guide-long-term-care-facility-licensure), independently read through server-side access on 2026-09-30 after local retrieval failed, lists "Passed Exam" for ALCA reactivation and "Passing Exam Score" in the reactivation checklist following PCHA reinstatement. Rule 393-12-.02 governs this applicant-specific alternative; the checklist does not identify an additional examination.
Eligibility
License inactive for less than 12 months: submit the appropriate reactivation application, forms, and fee; Rule 393-12-.02 specifies no examination or separate CE amount for this interval.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by reciprocity or endorsement
Application
Submit a complete signed and notarized application, supporting documents, and the prescribed nonrefundable fee; disclose background and disciplinary matters and provide requested supporting documents.
Board discretion
Licensure remains subject to Board discretion, including discipline and other matters questioning competence.
Character
Reputable and responsible character.
Equivalence
Meet substantially equivalent Georgia licensure requirements; applicants from jurisdictions that do not require licensure must use the initial pathway.
Existing license
Hold a current, unencumbered administrator license from a licensing jurisdiction and cause direct verification of it and every other license ever held to be sent to the Board.
Facility qualification
Qualified to work in the applicable assisted living community or personal care home under Department of Community Health and Board rules.
Lawful presence
United States citizenship or valid residency and work status; submit a secure and verifiable document and citizenship affidavit.
Minimum age
At least 21 years old.
Other accepted examinations
Rule 393-9-.04(1)(b) and the reciprocity form also accept the Nursing Home Administration national examination (an examination of the nursing-home administrator profession), a Board-recognized predecessor examination, or another Board-recognized written or oral examination. These are conditions rather than invented RCAL alternatives; the unnamed examination remainder is subject to Board recognition. No particular discontinued predecessor is named.
Score report
Request that NAB send or transfer the examination score report to the Board. Passing before applying does not remove the registered RCAL examination from the route.
Reinstatement: Practice as an ALCA or PCHA in another jurisdiction and hold a current unencumbered license if that jurisdiction requires licensure, for at least two years preceding application; supply official verification and 30 contact hours or 3.0 CEUs from the preceding two years.
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board discretion
Submit completed reinstatement application and fee; reinstatement of a surrendered or revoked license is at Board discretion.
Current board checklist
The current Board licensure guide (https://sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-guide-long-term-care-facility-licensure), independently read through server-side access on 2026-09-30 after local retrieval failed, lists "Passing Exam Score" for ALCA/PCHA reinstatement. The governing Rule 393-5-.03(3) provides this CE-based alternative without examination; the generic checklist item does not override that alternative.
Eligibility
Practice as an ALCA or PCHA in another jurisdiction and hold a current unencumbered license if that jurisdiction requires licensure, for at least two years preceding application; supply official verification and 30 contact hours or 3.0 CEUs from the preceding two years.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after lapse of five or more years
Application
Submit completed reinstatement application and fee; reinstatement is at Board discretion.
Lapse
License lapsed for five or more years from expiration.
Recent score
Retake and pass the qualifying NAB examination or another Board-recognized written or oral examination within one year of application. RCAL is the profession-specific NAB examination identified in Rule 393-3-.04(e)3; unspecified other Board-recognized examinations remain conditions.
Reinstatement: License lapsed more than two but less than five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board discretion
Submit completed reinstatement application and fee; reinstatement of a surrendered or revoked license is at Board discretion.
Current board checklist
The current Board licensure guide (https://sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-guide-long-term-care-facility-licensure), independently read through server-side access on 2026-09-30 after local retrieval failed, lists "Passing Exam Score" for ALCA/PCHA reinstatement. The governing Rule 393-5-.03(3) provides this CE-based alternative without examination; the generic checklist item does not override that alternative.
Eligibility
License lapsed more than two but less than five years: submit 60 hours of CE obtained within two years preceding application.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement: License lapsed two years or less
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board discretion
Submit completed reinstatement application and fee; reinstatement of a surrendered or revoked license is at Board discretion.
Current board checklist
The current Board licensure guide (https://sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-guide-long-term-care-facility-licensure), independently read through server-side access on 2026-09-30 after local retrieval failed, lists "Passing Exam Score" for ALCA/PCHA reinstatement. The governing Rule 393-5-.03(3) provides this CE-based alternative without examination; the generic checklist item does not override that alternative.
Eligibility
License lapsed two years or less: submit 30 hours of CE obtained within two years preceding application.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Thirty Board-approved clock hours per biennium in Rule 393-13-.04 subjects; no more than 22 online and at least 8 in person or instructor-led interactive live webinar. First renewal after even-year issuance requires 15 hours; odd-year issuance is exempt at first renewal. If multiple Board licenses are held, satisfy the highest requirement, at most 40 hours.
Documentation
Retain CE records for three years and supply proof when audited; use eligible sources in Rule 393-13-.02.
Exam credit
Rules 393-5-.01(5) and 393-13-.04(4) count passing the qualifying national examination during the biennium as 20 CE hours. This optional CE credit does not require an examination for ordinary renewal.
Existing license
Hold the administrator license and renew by December 31 of each odd-numbered year with the prescribed fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Restoration or reissue after suspension, surrender, or revocation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board conditions
Satisfy good-cause and disciplinary conditions imposed in the individual Board decision; the provisions identifying this restoration route do not identify a required examination.
Eligibility
A suspended or revoked license may be restored for good cause under O.C.G.A. 43-27-9. For surrender or revocation for reasons other than lapse, Rule 393-5-.03(6) permits restoration or reissue at Board discretion and permits disciplinary conditions.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Personal Care Home Administrator

Individual administrator license for a personal care home with 25 or more beds under O.C.G.A. 43-27-1(8). Initial qualifications, reciprocity, and changes to the same license are set out in Department 393. The volunteer special-license definition in O.C.G.A. 43-1-28(b)(2) does not enumerate this profession.

Licensing authority: Georgia State Board of Long-Term Care Facility Administrators · Application information

Placement of an existing license on inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing license
Hold a current license and do not practice as an administrator; submit written application and inactive-status fee.
Practice prohibited
The Board may grant or deny inactive status in its sole discretion; inactive licensees cannot practice long-term care facility administration.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial licensure through an existing Georgia Nursing Home Administrator license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit a complete signed and notarized application, supporting documents, and the prescribed nonrefundable fee; disclose background and disciplinary matters and provide requested supporting documents.
Character
Reputable and responsible character.
Existing license
Hold an active, unencumbered Georgia Nursing Home Administrator license under Rule 393-3-.04(e)4. The existing professional license is the qualification; the route does not name an examination of this profession.
Facility qualification
Qualified to work in the applicable assisted living community or personal care home under Department of Community Health and Board rules.
Lawful presence
United States citizenship or valid residency and work status; submit a secure and verifiable document and citizenship affidavit.
Minimum age
At least 21 years old.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial licensure through an HSE qualification
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit a complete signed and notarized application, supporting documents, and the prescribed nonrefundable fee; disclose background and disciplinary matters and provide requested supporting documents.
Character
Reputable and responsible character.
Facility qualification
Qualified to work in the applicable assisted living community or personal care home under Department of Community Health and Board rules.
Hse qualification
Hold the NAB Health Services Executive (HSE) qualification and transfer the HSE application to Georgia through NAB. The qualification is an applicant condition; Rule 393-3-.04(e)2 and O.C.G.A. 43-27-7(a) accept the qualification rather than naming a currently offered examination for this pathway.
Lawful presence
United States citizenship or valid residency and work status; submit a secure and verifiable document and citizenship affidavit.
Minimum age
At least 21 years old.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial licensure with a healthcare related master degree and RCAL examination
NAB National Residential Care/Assisted Living Administrators Line of Service Exam (RC/AL)
Application
Submit a complete signed and notarized application, supporting documents, and the prescribed nonrefundable fee; disclose background and disciplinary matters and provide requested supporting documents.
Board exam approval
Submit the completed initial application before the Board can make the applicant eligible to test.
Character
Reputable and responsible character.
Core exam not registered
The Board initial application, page 1, requires passage of the General Knowledge Exam for Long-Term Care Facility Administrators (CORE) together with the RCAL Line of Service examination. CORE has no version in the frozen sharedExamContext or knownRegistrations; it remains an examination condition pending nationwide registration.
Degree
Hold a master degree in a healthcare-related field with at least 21 semester hours concentrated on healthcare services administration and management. Submit official transcripts.
Facility qualification
Qualified to work in the applicable assisted living community or personal care home under Department of Community Health and Board rules.
Lawful presence
United States citizenship or valid residency and work status; submit a secure and verifiable document and citizenship affidavit.
Minimum age
At least 21 years old.
Late renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Thirty Board-approved clock hours per biennium in Rule 393-13-.04 subjects; no more than 22 online and at least 8 in person or instructor-led interactive live webinar. First renewal after even-year issuance requires 15 hours; odd-year issuance is exempt at first renewal. If multiple Board licenses are held, satisfy the highest requirement, at most 40 hours.
Documentation
Retain CE records for three years and supply proof when audited; use eligible sources in Rule 393-13-.02.
Exam credit
Rules 393-5-.01(5) and 393-13-.04(4) count passing the qualifying national examination during the biennium as 20 CE hours. This optional CE credit does not require an examination for ordinary renewal.
Late period
Renew from January 1 through January 31 of the following even-numbered year; pay the renewal fee plus 50 percent and submit proof of all CE requirements for the biennium. Practice is prohibited after expiration of the late-renewal period until licensed.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Military service member, transitioning service member, or military spouse reciprocity
Application
Submit a complete signed and notarized application, supporting documents, and the prescribed nonrefundable fee; disclose background and disciplinary matters and provide requested supporting documents.
Board discretion
Licensure remains subject to Board discretion, including discipline and other matters questioning competence.
Character
Reputable and responsible character.
Equivalence
Meet substantially equivalent Georgia licensure requirements; applicants from jurisdictions that do not require licensure must use the initial pathway.
Existing license
Hold a current, unencumbered administrator license from a licensing jurisdiction and cause direct verification of it and every other license ever held to be sent to the Board.
Facility qualification
Qualified to work in the applicable assisted living community or personal care home under Department of Community Health and Board rules.
Lawful presence
United States citizenship or valid residency and work status; submit a secure and verifiable document and citizenship affidavit.
Military equivalence
The existing license is in good standing and its training, experience, and testing substantially meet or exceed Georgia requirements; submit direct verification and the completed reciprocity application and fee. Read with the generally applicable ALCA/PCHA examination alternatives in Rule 393-9-.04.
Military status
Provide documentation satisfactory to the Board of service-member, transitioning-service-member, or military-spouse status under Rule 393-9-.03. A transitioning member is on active duty or separation leave within 24 months of retirement or 12 months of separation.
Minimum age
At least 21 years old.
Other accepted examinations
Rule 393-9-.04(1)(b) and the reciprocity form also accept the Nursing Home Administration national examination (an examination of the nursing-home administrator profession), a Board-recognized predecessor examination, or another Board-recognized written or oral examination. These are conditions rather than invented RCAL alternatives; the unnamed examination remainder is subject to Board recognition. No particular discontinued predecessor is named.
Score report
Request that NAB send or transfer the examination score report to the Board. Passing before applying does not remove the registered RCAL examination from the route.
Reactivation: Hold an active current license elsewhere and have at least one year of administrator employment before application; submit verification of that license.
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the appropriate reactivation application, forms, and fee.
Current board checklist
The current Board licensure guide (https://sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-guide-long-term-care-facility-licensure), independently read through server-side access on 2026-09-30 after local retrieval failed, lists "Passed Exam" for ALCA reactivation and "Passing Exam Score" in the reactivation checklist following PCHA reinstatement. Rule 393-12-.02 governs this applicant-specific alternative; the checklist does not identify an additional examination.
Eligibility
Hold an active current license elsewhere and have at least one year of administrator employment before application; submit verification of that license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation after more than 36 months of inactivity
Ce or exam
Rule 393-12-.02(c) allows twice the biennial CE amount (60 hours), obtained since the Board last renewal period, OR passage of the qualifying NAB examination or another Board-recognized written or oral examination. The CE alternative excuses an applicant from sitting the examination; the currently offered RCAL examination remains a leaf. Other unspecified approved written or oral examinations remain conditions.
Current application
Meet current application requirements and submit reactivation application, forms, and fee.
Inactivity
License inactive for more than 36 months.
Reactivation: License inactive 12 to 24 months
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the appropriate reactivation application, forms, and fee.
Current board checklist
The current Board licensure guide (https://sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-guide-long-term-care-facility-licensure), independently read through server-side access on 2026-09-30 after local retrieval failed, lists "Passed Exam" for ALCA reactivation and "Passing Exam Score" in the reactivation checklist following PCHA reinstatement. Rule 393-12-.02 governs this applicant-specific alternative; the checklist does not identify an additional examination.
Eligibility
License inactive 12 to 24 months: submit 30 CE hours obtained since the Board last renewal period.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation: License inactive 25 to 36 months
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the appropriate reactivation application, forms, and fee.
Current board checklist
The current Board licensure guide (https://sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-guide-long-term-care-facility-licensure), independently read through server-side access on 2026-09-30 after local retrieval failed, lists "Passed Exam" for ALCA reactivation and "Passing Exam Score" in the reactivation checklist following PCHA reinstatement. Rule 393-12-.02 governs this applicant-specific alternative; the checklist does not identify an additional examination.
Eligibility
License inactive 25 to 36 months: submit 60 CE hours obtained since the Board last renewal period.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation: License inactive for less than 12 months
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the appropriate reactivation application, forms, and fee.
Current board checklist
The current Board licensure guide (https://sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-guide-long-term-care-facility-licensure), independently read through server-side access on 2026-09-30 after local retrieval failed, lists "Passed Exam" for ALCA reactivation and "Passing Exam Score" in the reactivation checklist following PCHA reinstatement. Rule 393-12-.02 governs this applicant-specific alternative; the checklist does not identify an additional examination.
Eligibility
License inactive for less than 12 months: submit the appropriate reactivation application, forms, and fee; Rule 393-12-.02 specifies no examination or separate CE amount for this interval.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by reciprocity or endorsement
Application
Submit a complete signed and notarized application, supporting documents, and the prescribed nonrefundable fee; disclose background and disciplinary matters and provide requested supporting documents.
Board discretion
Licensure remains subject to Board discretion, including discipline and other matters questioning competence.
Character
Reputable and responsible character.
Equivalence
Meet substantially equivalent Georgia licensure requirements; applicants from jurisdictions that do not require licensure must use the initial pathway.
Existing license
Hold a current, unencumbered administrator license from a licensing jurisdiction and cause direct verification of it and every other license ever held to be sent to the Board.
Facility qualification
Qualified to work in the applicable assisted living community or personal care home under Department of Community Health and Board rules.
Lawful presence
United States citizenship or valid residency and work status; submit a secure and verifiable document and citizenship affidavit.
Minimum age
At least 21 years old.
Other accepted examinations
Rule 393-9-.04(1)(b) and the reciprocity form also accept the Nursing Home Administration national examination (an examination of the nursing-home administrator profession), a Board-recognized predecessor examination, or another Board-recognized written or oral examination. These are conditions rather than invented RCAL alternatives; the unnamed examination remainder is subject to Board recognition. No particular discontinued predecessor is named.
Score report
Request that NAB send or transfer the examination score report to the Board. Passing before applying does not remove the registered RCAL examination from the route.
Reinstatement: Practice as an ALCA or PCHA in another jurisdiction and hold a current unencumbered license if that jurisdiction requires licensure, for at least two years preceding application; supply official verification and 30 contact hours or 3.0 CEUs from the preceding two years.
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board discretion
Submit completed reinstatement application and fee; reinstatement of a surrendered or revoked license is at Board discretion.
Current board checklist
The current Board licensure guide (https://sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-guide-long-term-care-facility-licensure), independently read through server-side access on 2026-09-30 after local retrieval failed, lists "Passing Exam Score" for ALCA/PCHA reinstatement. The governing Rule 393-5-.03(3) provides this CE-based alternative without examination; the generic checklist item does not override that alternative.
Eligibility
Practice as an ALCA or PCHA in another jurisdiction and hold a current unencumbered license if that jurisdiction requires licensure, for at least two years preceding application; supply official verification and 30 contact hours or 3.0 CEUs from the preceding two years.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after lapse of five or more years
Application
Submit completed reinstatement application and fee; reinstatement is at Board discretion.
Lapse
License lapsed for five or more years from expiration.
Recent score
Retake and pass the qualifying NAB examination or another Board-recognized written or oral examination within one year of application. RCAL is the profession-specific NAB examination identified in Rule 393-3-.04(e)3; unspecified other Board-recognized examinations remain conditions.
Reinstatement: License lapsed more than two but less than five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board discretion
Submit completed reinstatement application and fee; reinstatement of a surrendered or revoked license is at Board discretion.
Current board checklist
The current Board licensure guide (https://sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-guide-long-term-care-facility-licensure), independently read through server-side access on 2026-09-30 after local retrieval failed, lists "Passing Exam Score" for ALCA/PCHA reinstatement. The governing Rule 393-5-.03(3) provides this CE-based alternative without examination; the generic checklist item does not override that alternative.
Eligibility
License lapsed more than two but less than five years: submit 60 hours of CE obtained within two years preceding application.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement: License lapsed two years or less
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board discretion
Submit completed reinstatement application and fee; reinstatement of a surrendered or revoked license is at Board discretion.
Current board checklist
The current Board licensure guide (https://sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-guide-long-term-care-facility-licensure), independently read through server-side access on 2026-09-30 after local retrieval failed, lists "Passing Exam Score" for ALCA/PCHA reinstatement. The governing Rule 393-5-.03(3) provides this CE-based alternative without examination; the generic checklist item does not override that alternative.
Eligibility
License lapsed two years or less: submit 30 hours of CE obtained within two years preceding application.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Thirty Board-approved clock hours per biennium in Rule 393-13-.04 subjects; no more than 22 online and at least 8 in person or instructor-led interactive live webinar. First renewal after even-year issuance requires 15 hours; odd-year issuance is exempt at first renewal. If multiple Board licenses are held, satisfy the highest requirement, at most 40 hours.
Documentation
Retain CE records for three years and supply proof when audited; use eligible sources in Rule 393-13-.02.
Exam credit
Rules 393-5-.01(5) and 393-13-.04(4) count passing the qualifying national examination during the biennium as 20 CE hours. This optional CE credit does not require an examination for ordinary renewal.
Existing license
Hold the administrator license and renew by December 31 of each odd-numbered year with the prescribed fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Restoration or reissue after suspension, surrender, or revocation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board conditions
Satisfy good-cause and disciplinary conditions imposed in the individual Board decision; the provisions identifying this restoration route do not identify a required examination.
Eligibility
A suspended or revoked license may be restored for good cause under O.C.G.A. 43-27-9. For surrender or revocation for reasons other than lapse, Rule 393-5-.03(6) permits restoration or reissue at Board discretion and permits disciplinary conditions.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

NAB National Residential Care/Assisted Living Administrators Line of Service Exam (RC/AL)

Provider
National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB); delivered at Pearson VUE test centers
Format
Objective multiple-choice items with four answer choices, one correct; line of service exam taken after or together with the separately scored CORE exam
Exam questions
75 (60 scored, 15 non-scored pretest)
Time limit
1 hour 30 minutes seat time; 1 hour and 10 minutes to answer questions
Passing score
Scaled score of 113 on a 50-150 scale
Exam fee
RC/AL only $190; CORE and RC/AL combo $480 (effective 2/1/2026)
Examination outline
  • Domain 1: Care, Services, and Supports (75% of the RC/AL exam) (75%)
    • 1A1 Quality of Care: Medical and Nursing Care Practices
    • 1A2 Quality of Care: Medication Management and Administration
    • 1A4 Quality of Care: Nutrition and Hydration (e.g., specialized diets)
    • 1A6 Quality of Care: Rehabilitation and Restorative Programs
    • 1A7 Quality of Care: Care Recipient Assessment and Interdisciplinary Care Planning
    • 1A8 Quality of Care: Clinical and Medical Records and Documentation Requirements (e.g., storage, retention, destruction)
    • 1A11 Quality of Care: Transition of Care (e.g., admission, move-in, transfer, discharge, and move-out)
    • 1B1 Quality of Life: Psychosocial Needs (e.g., social, spiritual, community, cultural)
    • 1B2 Quality of Life: Person-Centered Care and Comprehensive Care Planning
    • 1B3 Quality of Life: Care Recipient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities
    • 1B4 Quality of Life: Care Recipient Safety (e.g., fall prevention, elopement prevention, adverse events)
    • 1B5 Quality of Life: Care Recipient (and Representative) Grievance, Conflict, and Dispute Resolution
    • 1B6 Quality of Life: Care Recipient Advocacy (e.g., Ombudsman, resident and family council)
    • 1B7 Quality of Life: Care Recipient Decision-Making (e.g., capacity, power of attorney, guardianship, conservatorship, code status, advance directives, ethical decision-making)
    • 1B8 Quality of Life: Care Recipient (and Representative) Satisfaction
    • 1B14 Quality of Life: Restraint Usage and Reduction
    • 1B15 Quality of Life: Foodservice (e.g., choice and menu planning, dietary management, food storage and handling, dining services)
    • 1B16 Quality of Life: Social Services Programs
    • 1B17 Quality of Life: Therapeutic Recreation and Activity Programs
    • 1C3 Ancillary Services: Transportation for Care Recipients
    • 1C8 Ancillary Services: Volunteer Programs
  • Domain 2: Operations (12% of the RC/AL exam) (12%)
    • 2A5 Financial Management: Revenue and Reimbursement (e.g., PDPM, PDGM, ACOs, HMOs, Medicaid, private payors)
    • 2B7 Risk Management: Scope of Practice and Legal Liability
  • Domain 3: Environment and Quality (13% of the RC/AL exam) (13%)
    • 3A2 Care Setting: Person-Centered Environment (e.g., home-like environment)
    • 3B3 Regulatory Compliance: Certification and Licensure Requirements for the Organization
    • 3B4 Regulatory Compliance: Regulatory Survey and Inspection Process
Examination sources