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Kansas Assisted Living Administrator — Requirements & Free Practice

US-KS · License preparation

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Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

Adult Care Home Operator Registration

Registration to oversee assisted living or residential health care facilities with fewer than 61 residents, home plus, or adult day care. This is the Kansas assisted-living operator credential.

Licensing authority: Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services · Application information

Initial registration — relevant associate degree
Kansas Operator Examination
Adverse History
Provide requested criminal, abuse/neglect/exploitation and disciplinary records; an applicant with disciplinary action or felony/misdemeanor history bears the burden of rehabilitation and public trust.
Application
Submit a completed signed application, proof of Social Security number, criminal record check form and supporting education/experience records; pay applicable fees unless exempt.
Approved Course
Successfully complete a KDADS-approved operator course with at least 45 clock-hours of instruction and pass the state-provided test; course certificate is submitted with the application.
Education And Experience
Hold an associate degree in a relevant field approved by the secretary; have transcripts sent directly by the college or university.
Foreign Education
A non-English foreign degree transcript requires an acceptable English translation; foreign degrees require department-approved equivalency validation, at the applicant's cost.
Military
Military spouses of active-duty service members are exempt from credentialing and criminal background report fees; military identification is required to claim the published military benefits.
Minimum Age
At least 21 years old.
Initial registration — baccalaureate degree
Kansas Operator Examination
Adverse History
Provide requested criminal, abuse/neglect/exploitation and disciplinary records; an applicant with disciplinary action or felony/misdemeanor history bears the burden of rehabilitation and public trust.
Application
Submit a completed signed application, proof of Social Security number, criminal record check form and supporting education/experience records; pay applicable fees unless exempt.
Approved Course
Successfully complete a KDADS-approved operator course with at least 45 clock-hours of instruction and pass the state-provided test; course certificate is submitted with the application.
Education And Experience
Hold a baccalaureate degree; have transcripts sent directly by the college or university.
Foreign Education
A non-English foreign degree transcript requires an acceptable English translation; foreign degrees require department-approved equivalency validation, at the applicant's cost.
Military
Military spouses of active-duty service members are exempt from credentialing and criminal background report fees; military identification is required to claim the published military benefits.
Minimum Age
At least 21 years old.
Initial registration — high school and relevant experience
Kansas Operator Examination
Adverse History
Provide requested criminal, abuse/neglect/exploitation and disciplinary records; an applicant with disciplinary action or felony/misdemeanor history bears the burden of rehabilitation and public trust.
Application
Submit a completed signed application, proof of Social Security number, criminal record check form and supporting education/experience records; pay applicable fees unless exempt.
Approved Course
Successfully complete a KDADS-approved operator course with at least 45 clock-hours of instruction and pass the state-provided test; course certificate is submitted with the application.
Education And Experience
Hold a high school diploma or equivalent and document one year of relevant experience approved by the secretary.
Foreign Education
A non-English foreign degree transcript requires an acceptable English translation; foreign degrees require department-approved equivalency validation, at the applicant's cost.
Military
Military spouses of active-duty service members are exempt from credentialing and criminal background report fees; military identification is required to claim the published military benefits.
Minimum Age
At least 21 years old.
Reinstatement of pre July 2014 course/test completers who missed registration window
Kansas Operator Examination
Current Qualification
The historical two-year waiver window is closed. For the resulting lapse exceeding 24 months, complete an approved operator course and its state test within the latest 24 months, submit application and pay applicable fees.
Historical Qualification
Completed the approved operator course and an approved examination before July 1, 2014, but did not apply within two years of that date; K.S.A. 39-977(b) treats registration as lapsed. The historical completion is a condition.
Automatic conversion after probationary recognition
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Complete application, signed accurate affidavit and prior-employment history, proof of requested qualifications, and applicable fees; active-duty military spouses are exempt from statutory credentialing/background fees.
Fitness
Meet K.S.A. 48-3406(c)(2)(C)-(H): no disqualifying discipline, unresolved credentialing proceeding or disqualifying crime; supply required financial standing, bonding or insurance to the same extent as similarly situated applicants.
Probation Completion
Upon completion of the probationary period, the credential becomes non-probationary under K.S.A. 48-3406(c)(2). This conversion involves no separately identified examination.
Residency
Established or intended Kansas residency, or residence/planned residence due to military station assignment.
Scope
Kansas scope of practice applies; agency may decline issuance if it would jeopardize public health and safety.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

General recognition — private certification and experience
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Complete application, signed accurate affidavit and prior-employment history, proof of requested qualifications, and applicable fees; active-duty military spouses are exempt from statutory credentialing/background fees.
Certification
Hold a current valid private certification in good standing and have worked at least two years in a jurisdiction not using occupational licensing or government certification for this occupation; satisfy subsection (c)(2)(C)-(H).
Fitness
Meet K.S.A. 48-3406(c)(2)(C)-(H): no disqualifying discipline, unresolved credentialing proceeding or disqualifying crime; supply required financial standing, bonding or insurance to the same extent as similarly situated applicants.
Residency
Established or intended Kansas residency, or residence/planned residence due to military station assignment.
Scope
Kansas scope of practice applies; agency may decline issuance if it would jeopardize public health and safety.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

General recognition — work experience in an unregulated jurisdiction
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Complete application, signed accurate affidavit and prior-employment history, proof of requested qualifications, and applicable fees; active-duty military spouses are exempt from statutory credentialing/background fees.
Experience
Worked at least three years during the preceding four years in a jurisdiction that uses neither an occupational credential nor private certification for the occupation; satisfy subsection (c)(2)(C)-(H).
Fitness
Meet K.S.A. 48-3406(c)(2)(C)-(H): no disqualifying discipline, unresolved credentialing proceeding or disqualifying crime; supply required financial standing, bonding or insurance to the same extent as similarly situated applicants.
Residency
Established or intended Kansas residency, or residence/planned residence due to military station assignment.
Scope
Kansas scope of practice applies; agency may decline issuance if it would jeopardize public health and safety.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after lapse of more than 24 months
Kansas Operator Examination
Lapse
Registration lapsed for more than 24 months.
Recent Course
Successfully complete the operator course within the most recent 24 months, including the state test; pay renewal and reinstatement fees.
Reinstatement after lapse of not more than 24 months
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Document completion of 30 clock-hours of continuing education with application on approved forms.
Fees
Pay renewal and reinstatement fees unless exempt.
Lapse
Registration lapsed for no more than 24 months.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Audit
Attest to completion and supply documentation if selected for audit.
Continuing Education
Complete 30 clock-hours during the last registration: at least 15 administration, at least 10 resident care and no more than 5 electives; no carryover. Initial or reinstated registration shorter than 24 months is prorated monthly.
Deadline
Submit renewal by April 30 of the expiration year with the renewal fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal within the 30 day late period
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Audit
Attest to completion and supply documentation if selected for audit.
Continuing Education
Complete 30 clock-hours during the last registration: at least 15 administration, at least 10 resident care and no more than 5 electives; no carryover. Initial or reinstated registration shorter than 24 months is prorated monthly.
Deadline
May 30 following April 30 expiration; renewal fee and late fee required.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Kansas Operator Examination

Provider
KDADS-approved operator course training provider
Format
State test; access to applicable statutes and regulations is permitted
Exam questions
50
Passing score
80 percent correct
Practice scope

The authority has not published an examination outline; the practice questions follow the scope of the existing question bank.

  • I Discuss a conceptual, person-centered model for housing with services for older adults in licensed only facilities such as assisted living, home plus or adult day care.
  • II Demonstrate a basic knowledge of needs which may develop as a result of the aging process and common chronic diseases found in older adults.
  • III Demonstrate a knowledge of Kansas laws and regulations which govern the operation of licensed only adult care homes, including the Operator's ongoing responsibility for the facility's compliance.
  • IV Show knowledge and demonstrate understanding of the rights of individuals who reside in long-term care facilities.
  • V Show understanding of the role of the surveyor.
  • VI Identify other state regulatory entities to which the Operator may be responsible.
  • VII Discuss the Operator's responsibility for documentation, including charting and resident records.
  • VIII Demonstrate the Operator's responsibility for basic principles of management, including support personnel, staff and record keeping.
  • IX Show knowledge of the procedures involved in admission, transfer and discharge of residents, and understanding of Advance Directives.
  • X Show understanding of the role of the Operator in performing a Functional Assessment Screen and developing a Negotiated Service Agreement.
  • XI Show understanding of issues involved in abuse/neglect and exploitation, including prevention and reporting requirements.
  • XII Identify strategies for communicating effectively with family members.
  • XIII Discuss strategies for helping residents deal with behavioral symptoms, including those of dementia.
  • XIV Identify basic principles in providing for the nutritional needs of older adults and safe food service management.
  • XV Demonstrate a knowledge of infection control practices.
  • XVI Demonstrate a basic understanding of the Operator's responsibility in medication management.
  • XVII Demonstrate a basic understanding of fire safety and emergency procedures.
Examination sources