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Georgia Nursing Home Administrator — Requirements & Free Practice

US-GA · License preparation

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Nursing Home Administrator License

Georgia license to serve as a nursing home administrator.

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

Initial licensure by examination after Georgia AIT
Age and character
At least 21 years old and of reputable, responsible character (Rule 393-3-.02(a)-(b)).
Application
Submit the NHA licensure by examination application and fee within 30 days of AIT approval notification (Rule 393-4-.02(j)).
Education and experience
Meet one of the education and skilled-nursing experience combinations in Rule 393-3-.02(d), or the non-healthcare-degree alternative in (g).
Exam timing
Board approval of AIT completion is required before exam registration; complete licensure within six months of AIT approval (Rule 393-3-.03).
Georgia ait
Complete the Board-approved Georgia Administrator in Training program, from 500 to 2,000 hours according to qualifications (Rules 393-3-.02 and 393-4-.02).
Lawful status
U.S. citizen or valid residency and work status; submit a secure and verifiable document (Rule 393-3-.02(c)).
Late renewal through January 31
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Submit proof that all biennial continuing education requirements were met (Rule 393-5-.02(1)).
Timing and fee
Renew by January 31 of the even year after expiration with the renewal fee plus 50%.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Military service member or spouse reciprocity
NAB National Nursing Home Administrators Line of Service Exam (NHA)
Military status
Service member, transitioning service member, or military spouse under Rule 393-9-.03(1).
Out of state license
Hold a license in good standing from another state whose training, experience and testing substantially meet Georgia requirements (Rule 393-9-.03(2)(a)).
Prior exam alternative
A Board-recognized predecessor national examination may satisfy Rule 393-9-.02(1)(b).
Verification
Submit license verification, military-status documentation, application, and fee (Rule 393-9-.03(2)(b)-(d)).
Licensure based on national certificate of qualification
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Certificate
Hold a certificate of qualification issued by a national organization (O.C.G.A. § 43-27-7(a)).
Equivalence
The national organization must maintain substantially equivalent qualifications and examinations; issuance remains at Board discretion (O.C.G.A. § 43-27-7(a)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation with active license and practice in another state
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit reactivation application, forms and fee.
Qualification
Hold an active license in another state and have worked as an administrator for at least one year; submit verification. (Rule 393-12-.02).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation after 12 to 24 inactive months
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit reactivation application, forms and fee.
Qualification
Provide the ordinary biennial continuing education hours earned since the last renewal period. (Rule 393-12-.02).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation after 25 to 36 inactive months
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit reactivation application, forms and fee.
Qualification
Provide twice the ordinary biennial continuing education hours earned since the last renewal period. (Rule 393-12-.02).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation after more than 36 inactive months
NAB National Nursing Home Administrators Line of Service Exam (NHA)
Application
Submit reactivation application, forms and fee (Rule 393-12-.02).
Ce alternative
Twice the normal biennial continuing education hours since the last renewal period may substitute for the examination.
Current requirements
Meet current application requirements (Rule 393-12-.02(c)).
Other exam
Another Board-recognized written or oral examination may substitute for the qualifying NAB examination.
Reactivation after less than 12 inactive months
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit reactivation application, forms and fee.
Qualification
Apply to reactivate the inactive license; Rule 393-12-.02 specifies extra continuing education for longer inactive periods. (Rule 393-12-.02).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by reciprocity or endorsement
NAB National Nursing Home Administrators Line of Service Exam (NHA)
Application
Submit reciprocity application, fee, affidavit, license verifications, and NAB score report (Rule 393-9-.02 and Board 11/2022 form).
Board discretion
Board may deny for discipline or competency concerns (Rule 393-9-.02(2)).
Equivalence
Other jurisdiction must have substantially equivalent qualifications and examinations; Board may consider experience, education, and training (Rule 393-9-.02(1)(c)).
Existing license
Hold a current, unencumbered nursing home administrator license in another state and have all prior jurisdictions verify licensure (Rule 393-9-.02(1)(a)).
Prior exam alternative
A Board-recognized predecessor national examination may satisfy Rule 393-9-.02(1)(b); its historical score is applicant evidence.
Reinstatement after lapse of five years or more
NAB National Nursing Home Administrators Line of Service Exam (NHA)
Board discretion
Reinstatement is at Board discretion; submit application and fee (Rule 393-5-.03(2)-(3)).
Exam alternative
A Board-recognized written or oral examination may substitute for the qualifying NAB examination (Rule 393-5-.03(3)(c)).
Exam window
The qualifying exam must have been passed within one year before the application.
Reinstatement after lapse of more than two but less than five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board discretion
Reinstatement is at the Board's discretion; submit reinstatement application and fee (Rule 393-5-.03(2)-(3)).
Route qualification
Complete twice the ordinary biennial continuing education hours within the two years before application (Rule 393-5-.03(3)(b)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after lapse of two years or less
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board discretion
Reinstatement is at the Board's discretion; submit reinstatement application and fee (Rule 393-5-.03(2)-(3)).
Route qualification
Complete the ordinary biennial continuing education hours within the two years before application (Rule 393-5-.03(3)(a)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after surrender or revocation for a reason other than expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit a reinstatement application and fee for Board consideration (Rule 393-5-.03(3)).
Board discretion
The Board may restore or reissue the surrendered or revoked license and impose disciplinary conditions (Rule 393-5-.03(6)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement based on two years of out of state assisted living or personal care practice
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board discretion
Reinstatement is at the Board's discretion; submit reinstatement application and fee (Rule 393-5-.03(2)-(3)).
Route qualification
Hold a current, unencumbered out-of-state PCHA or ALCA license, if that state licenses the profession, with two years of practice and provide 30 hours of recent continuing education (Rule 393-5-.03(3)(e)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement based on two years of out of state NHA practice
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board discretion
Reinstatement is at the Board's discretion; submit reinstatement application and fee (Rule 393-5-.03(2)-(3)).
Route qualification
Hold a current, unencumbered out-of-state NHA license with two years of practice and provide 40 hours of recent continuing education (Rule 393-5-.03(3)(d)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Obtain 40 hours of continuing education in the biennium, with first-renewal adjustments in Rule 393-5-.01.
Optional exam credit
Passing the qualifying national examination during the biennium equals 20 continuing education hours; it is an optional credit, not an examination required to renew.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

NAB National Core Knowledge Exam for Long-Term Care Administrators (CORE)

Provider
Pearson VUE
Format
Objective multiple-choice items with four response options, one correct; delivered by Pearson VUE
Exam questions
125 (100 scored, 25 non-scored pretest)
Time limit
150 minutes seat time; 2 hours 10 minutes to answer questions
Passing score
Scaled score of 113 on a 50-150 scale
Exam fee
CORE only $320; CORE and NHA combo $480 (effective 2/1/2026)
Examination outline
  • Care, Services, and Supports (39%)
    • Quality of Care: Medical and Nursing Care Practices
    • Quality of Care: Medication Management and Administration
    • Quality of Care: Disease Management (e.g., acute vs. chronic conditions)
    • Quality of Care: Nutrition and Hydration (e.g., specialized diets)
    • Quality of Care: Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Independent Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)
    • Quality of Care: Rehabilitation and Restorative Programs
    • Quality of Care: Care Recipient Assessment and Interdisciplinary Care Planning
    • Quality of Care: Clinical and Medical Records and Documentation Requirements (e.g., storage, retention, destruction)
    • Quality of Care: Medical Director
    • Quality of Care: Emergency Medical Services (e.g., CPR, first aid, Heimlich maneuver, AED)
    • Quality of Care: Transition of Care (e.g., admission, move-in, transfer, discharge, and move-out)
    • Quality of Care: Basic Healthcare Terminology
    • Quality of Life: Psychosocial Needs (e.g., social, spiritual, community, cultural)
    • Quality of Life: Person-Centered Care and Comprehensive Care Planning
    • Quality of Life: Care Recipient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities
    • Quality of Life: Care Recipient Safety (e.g., fall prevention, elopement prevention, adverse events)
    • Quality of Life: Care Recipient (and Representative) Grievance, Conflict, and Dispute Resolution
    • Quality of Life: Care Recipient Advocacy (e.g., Ombudsman, resident and family council)
    • Quality of Life: Care Recipient Decision-Making (e.g., capacity, power of attorney, guardianship, conservatorship, code status, advance directives, ethical decision-making)
    • Quality of Life: Care Recipient (and Representative) Satisfaction
    • Quality of Life: Recognition of Maltreatment (e.g., abuse, neglect, exploitation)
    • Quality of Life: Mental and Behavioral Health (e.g., cognitive impairment, depression, social support systems)
    • Quality of Life: Trauma-Informed Care (e.g., PTSD)
    • Quality of Life: Pain Management
    • Quality of Life: Death, Dying, and Grief
    • Quality of Life: Restraint Usage and Reduction
    • Quality of Life: Foodservice (e.g., choice and menu planning, dietary management, food storage and handling, dining services)
    • Quality of Life: Social Services Programs
    • Quality of Life: Therapeutic Recreation and Activity Programs
    • Quality of Life: Community Resources, Programs, and Agencies (e.g., meals on wheels, housing vouchers, Area Agencies on Aging, Veterans Affairs)
    • Ancillary Services: Hospice and Palliative Care
    • Ancillary Services: Specialized Medical Equipment (e.g., oxygen, durable medical equipment)
    • Ancillary Services: Transportation for Care Recipients
    • Ancillary Services: Telemedicine (e.g., e-health)
    • Ancillary Services: Diagnostic Services (e.g., radiology, lab services)
    • Ancillary Services: Dental and Oral Care Services
    • Ancillary Services: Healthcare Partners and Clinical Providers (e.g., MD/DO, Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatrist, Podiatrist, Dentist)
    • Ancillary Services: Volunteer Programs
  • Operations (37%)
    • Financial Management: Budgeting and Forecasting
    • Financial Management: Financial Analysis (e.g., ratios, profitability, debt, revenue mix, depreciation, operating margin, cash flow)
    • Financial Management: Revenue Cycle Management (e.g., billing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, collections)
    • Financial Management: Financial Statements (e.g., income/revenue statement, balance sheet, statement of cash flows, cost reporting)
    • Financial Management: Revenue and Reimbursement (e.g., PDPM, PDGM, ACOs, HMOs, Medicaid, private payors)
    • Financial Management: Financial Reporting Requirements (e.g., requirements for not-for-profit, for-profit, and governmental providers)
    • Financial Management: Integration of Clinical and Financial Systems (e.g., EMR/HER, MDS)
    • Financial Management: Internal Financial Management Controls (e.g., segregation of duties, access)
    • Financial Management: Supply-Chain Management (e.g., inventory control)
    • Financial Management: Resident Trust Accounts for Personal Funds
    • Risk Management: OSHA Rules and Regulations
    • Risk Management: Workers’ Compensation
    • Risk Management: Ethical Conduct and Standards of Practice
    • Risk Management: Compliance Programs
    • Risk Management: Risk Management Process and Programs
    • Risk Management: Quality Improvement Processes (e.g., root cause analysis, PDCA/PDSA)
    • Risk Management: Scope of Practice and Legal Liability
    • Risk Management: Internal Investigation Protocols and Techniques (e.g., incidents, adverse events)
    • Risk Management: Mandatory Reporting Requirements (e.g., incidents, adverse events, abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, fraud)
    • Risk Management: Insurance Coverage (e.g., liability, property)
    • Risk Management: Healthcare Record Requirements (e.g., confidentiality, disclosure, safeguarding, HIPAA, HITECH)
    • Risk Management: Security (e.g., cameras, monitoring systems, locks, staff location reporting)
    • Risk Management: Contracted Services (e.g., roles, responsibilities, oversight, background checks)
    • Human Resources: Federal Human Resources Laws, Rules, and Regulations (e.g., ADA, FMLA, Wage and Hour, FLSA)
    • Human Resources: Selection and Hiring Practices (e.g., EEOC, interviewing, adverse impact, protected classes, occupational qualifications)
    • Human Resources: Compensation and Benefits Programs (e.g., time off, healthcare insurance, employee pay and payroll)
    • Human Resources: Organizational Staffing Requirements and Reporting (e.g., PBJ)
    • Human Resources: Staff Certification and Licensure Requirements
    • Human Resources: Professional Development (e.g., maintenance of credentials, continuing education)
    • Human Resources: Employee Training and Orientation
    • Human Resources: Performance Evaluation
    • Human Resources: Human Resource Policies (e.g., drug-free workplace, discipline, job classification, photography and video, social media usage, mobile phone usage)
    • Human Resources: Employee Record-Keeping Requirements
    • Human Resources: Employee Grievance, Conflict, and Dispute Resolution
    • Human Resources: Employee Satisfaction, Engagement, and Retention
    • Human Resources: Cultural Competence and Diversity Awareness
    • Human Resources: Labor Relations (e.g., union, collective bargaining [CBA], contract/pool staff)
  • Environment and Quality (13%)
    • Care Setting: Federal Codes and Regulations for Building, Equipment, Maintenance, and Grounds
    • Care Setting: Person-Centered Environment (e.g., home-like environment)
    • Care Setting: Safety and Accessibility (e.g., ADA, safety data sheets)
    • Care Setting: Facility Management and Environmental Services
    • Care Setting: Information Systems Infrastructure (e.g., configurations, data security, technical controls)
    • Care Setting: Preventative and Routine Maintenance Programs (e.g., pest control, equipment, mechanical systems)
    • Care Setting: Infection Control and Sanitation (e.g., linens, kitchen, hand washing, healthcare-acquired infections, hazardous materials)
    • Care Setting: Disaster and Emergency Planning, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery (e.g., Appendix Z)
    • Regulatory Compliance: Federal Healthcare Laws, Rules, and Regulations
    • Regulatory Compliance: Government Programs and Entities (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, waivers)
    • Regulatory Compliance: Certification and Licensure Requirements for the Organization
  • Leadership and Strategy (11%)
    • Leadership: Organizational Structures (e.g., departments, functions, systemic processes)
    • Leadership: Organizational Change Management
    • Leadership: Organizational Behavior (e.g., organizational culture, team building, group dynamics)
    • Leadership: Leadership Principles (e.g., communication, styles, mentoring, coaching, personal professional development)
    • Leadership: Governance (e.g., board of directors, governing bodies, corporate entities, advisory boards)
    • Leadership: Professional Advocacy and Governmental Relations
    • Organizational Strategy: Mission, Vision, and Value Statements
    • Organizational Strategy: Strategic Business Planning (e.g., new lines of service, succession management, staffing pipeline)
    • Organizational Strategy: Business Analytics (e.g., evidence-based practice, data analytics)
    • Organizational Strategy: Business Development (e.g., sales, marketing, partnerships, ACOs, contracts and agreements, negotiations)
    • Organizational Strategy: Public Relations and External Stakeholders (e.g., hospitals, referrals sources, local community, donors)
Examination sources

NAB National Nursing Home Administrators Line of Service Exam (NHA)

Provider
Pearson VUE
Format
Objective multiple-choice items with four response options, one correct; delivered by Pearson VUE
Exam questions
75 (60 scored, 15 non-scored pretest)
Time limit
90 minutes seat time; 1 hour and 10 minutes to answer questions
Passing score
Scaled score of 113 on a 50-150 scale
Exam fee
NHA only $190; CORE and NHA combo $480 (effective 2/1/2026)
Examination outline
  • Care, Services, and Supports (45%)
    • Quality of Care: Medical and Nursing Care Practices
    • Quality of Care: Medication Management and Administration
    • Quality of Care: Nutrition and Hydration (e.g., specialized diets)
    • Quality of Care: Rehabilitation and Restorative Programs
    • Quality of Care: Care Recipient Assessment and Interdisciplinary Care Planning
    • Quality of Care: Clinical and Medical Records and Documentation Requirements (e.g., storage, retention, destruction)
    • Quality of Care: Medical Director
    • Quality of Care: Emergency Medical Services (e.g., CPR, first aid, Heimlich maneuver, AED)
    • Quality of Care: Transition of Care (e.g., admission, move-in, transfer, discharge, and move-out)
    • Quality of Life: Psychosocial Needs (e.g., social, spiritual, community, cultural)
    • Quality of Life: Person-Centered Care and Comprehensive Care Planning
    • Quality of Life: Care Recipient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities
    • Quality of Life: Care Recipient Safety (e.g., fall prevention, elopement prevention, adverse events)
    • Quality of Life: Care Recipient (and Representative) Grievance, Conflict, and Dispute Resolution
    • Quality of Life: Care Recipient Advocacy (e.g., Ombudsman, resident and family council)
    • Quality of Life: Care Recipient Decision-Making (e.g., capacity, power of attorney, guardianship, conservatorship, code status, advance directives, ethical decision-making)
    • Quality of Life: Recognition of Maltreatment (e.g., abuse, neglect, exploitation)
    • Quality of Life: Mental and Behavioral Health (e.g., cognitive impairment, depression, social support systems)
    • Quality of Life: Trauma-Informed Care (e.g., PTSD)
    • Quality of Life: Pain Management
    • Quality of Life: Death, Dying, and Grief
    • Quality of Life: Restraint Usage and Reduction
    • Quality of Life: Foodservice (e.g., choice and menu planning, dietary management, food storage and handling, dining services)
    • Quality of Life: Social Services Programs
    • Quality of Life: Therapeutic Recreation and Activity Programs
    • Ancillary Services: Hospice and Palliative Care
    • Ancillary Services: Transportation for Care Recipients
    • Ancillary Services: Diagnostic Services (e.g., radiology, lab services)
    • Ancillary Services: Dental and Oral Care Services
    • Ancillary Services: Healthcare Partners and Clinical Providers (e.g., MD/DO, Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatrist, Podiatrist, Dentist)
    • Ancillary Services: Volunteer Programs
  • Operations (28%)
    • Financial Management: Revenue and Reimbursement (e.g., PDPM, PDGM, ACOs, HMOs, Medicaid, private payors)
    • Financial Management: Financial Reporting Requirements (e.g., requirements for not-for-profit, for-profit, and governmental providers)
    • Financial Management: Integration of Clinical and Financial Systems (e.g., EMR/EHR, MDS)
    • Financial Management: Resident Trust Accounts for Personal Funds
    • Risk Management: OSHA Rules and Regulations
    • Risk Management: Compliance Programs
    • Risk Management: Scope of Practice and Legal Liability
    • Risk Management: Internal Investigation Protocols and Techniques (e.g., incidents, adverse events)
    • Risk Management: Mandatory Reporting Requirements (e.g., incidents, adverse events, abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, fraud)
    • Risk Management: Healthcare Record Requirements (e.g., confidentiality, disclosure, safeguarding, HIPAA, HITECH)
    • Risk Management: Security (e.g., cameras, monitoring systems, locks, staff location reporting)
    • Risk Management: Contracted Services (e.g., roles, responsibilities, oversight, background checks)
    • Human Resources: Organizational Staffing Requirements and Reporting (e.g., PBJ)
    • Human Resources: Staff Certification and Licensure Requirements
    • Human Resources: Professional Development (e.g., maintenance of credentials, continuing education)
    • Human Resources: Employee Training and Orientation
    • Human Resources: Performance Evaluation
    • Human Resources: Employee Record-Keeping Requirements
    • Human Resources: Cultural Competence and Diversity Awareness
  • Environment and Quality (27%)
    • Care Setting: Federal Codes and Regulations for Building, Equipment, Maintenance, and Grounds
    • Care Setting: Person-Centered Environment (e.g., home-like environment)
    • Care Setting: Safety and Accessibility (e.g., ADA, safety data sheets)
    • Care Setting: Facility Management and Environmental Services
    • Care Setting: Preventative and Routine Maintenance Programs (e.g., pest control, equipment, mechanical systems)
    • Care Setting: Infection Control and Sanitation (e.g., linens, kitchen, hand washing, healthcare-acquired infections, hazardous materials)
    • Care Setting: Disaster and Emergency Planning, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery (e.g., Appendix Z)
    • Regulatory Compliance: Federal Healthcare Laws, Rules, and Regulations
    • Regulatory Compliance: Government Programs and Entities (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, waivers)
    • Regulatory Compliance: Certification and Licensure Requirements for the Organization
    • Regulatory Compliance: Regulatory Survey and Inspection Process
    • Regulatory Compliance: Procedures for Informal Dispute Resolution (IDR)
    • Regulatory Compliance: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Quality Measures
    • Regulatory Compliance: Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI)
    • Regulatory Compliance: Bed-Hold Requirements
    • Regulatory Compliance: Pre-Admission Screening Annual Review (PASRR)
    • Regulatory Compliance: Facility Assessment
Examination sources