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Minnesota Nursing Home Administrator — Requirements & Free Practice

US-MN · 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.

Acting Nursing Home Administrator Permit

Facility-specific temporary permit to serve as an acting administrator.

Licensing authority: Minnesota Board of Executives for Long-Term Services and Supports · Application information

Acting administrator permit
Minnesota State NHA Exam
Age
At least 21 years old.
Designation
Designated by nursing home controlling persons after termination of previous licensed administrator.
Duration
Facility-specific permit, normally up to six months; a second permit may be issued within the one-year maximum.
Education
High school graduation, equivalency certification, or associate or higher degree.
Experience
Nursing home or related management experience, or majority of licensure courses completed.
Standing
Good standing in every jurisdiction where previously licensed as a nursing facility administrator.
State Score
State examination passed within last two years.
Second acting administrator permit
Minnesota State NHA Exam
Discretion
Board finds a second permit in the best interests of the public.
Duration
Second permit is up to six months and successive permits cannot exceed one year total.
Prior Permit
First acting administrator permit has expired.
Qualification
The applicant must still meet the acting permit qualifications in Minn. R. 6400.6770 subp. 2.

Licensed Nursing Home Administrator

License to serve as a nursing home administrator in Minnesota.

Licensing authority: Minnesota Board of Executives for Long-Term Services and Supports · Application information

ACHCA certification application basis (04)
Achca
Current NAB-endorsed ACHCA certification may waive academic and practicum requirements.
Age
At least 21 years of age (Minn. Stat. 144A.20 subd. 3).
Application
Complete application and fees; application expires after 18 months.
Background
Successful criminal background check.
Coursework
Courses in areas of Minn. R. 6400.6550 or an applicable waiver under 6400.6560.
Degree
Bachelor degree from an accredited postsecondary institution (Minn. R. 6400.6000 subp. 1 C).
Scores
NAB and state examination scores expire two years after testing if not fully licensed (Minn. R. 6400.6100 subp. 4 B).
Combined NHA and ALD application

All of the following:

Age
At least 21 years of age (Minn. Stat. 144A.20 subd. 3).
Application
Complete application and fees; application expires after 18 months.
Background
Successful criminal background check.
Combined
Applicant is also pursuing the assisted living director credential; the Board offers a hybrid state examination.
Coursework
Courses in areas of Minn. R. 6400.6550 or an applicable waiver under 6400.6560.
Degree
Bachelor degree from an accredited postsecondary institution (Minn. R. 6400.6000 subp. 1 C).
Scores
NAB and state examination scores expire two years after testing if not fully licensed (Minn. R. 6400.6100 subp. 4 B).
Education application basis (01)
Age
At least 21 years of age (Minn. Stat. 144A.20 subd. 3).
Application
Complete application and fees; application expires after 18 months.
Background
Successful criminal background check.
Coursework
Courses in areas of Minn. R. 6400.6550 or an applicable waiver under 6400.6560.
Degree
Bachelor degree from an accredited postsecondary institution (Minn. R. 6400.6000 subp. 1 C).
Education Program
Bachelor or higher degree in a Minnesota BELTSS or NAB approved NHA program; complete its courses and practicum.
Scores
NAB and state examination scores expire two years after testing if not fully licensed (Minn. R. 6400.6100 subp. 4 B).
Endorsement from another jurisdiction
Minnesota State NHA Exam
Board Experience Demand
The Board endorsement page requests two continuous years of recent full-time NHA service and a BA/BS degree.
Board National Demand
The Board endorsement page also states that applicants must pass NAB CORE and NAB LOS NHA exams; Minn. R. 6400.6700 subp. 1 lists the state examination for this route.
Equivalence
Other jurisdiction has substantially equivalent requirements, or applicant holds current NAB-endorsed nursing facility administration certification.
Outside License
Current nursing home administrator license in another jurisdiction.
Standing
Good standing in every jurisdiction where licensed.
State Score
Minnesota state exam passed within the immediate past two years.
Experience application basis (02)
Age
At least 21 years of age (Minn. Stat. 144A.20 subd. 3).
Application
Complete application and fees; application expires after 18 months.
Background
Successful criminal background check.
Coursework
Courses in areas of Minn. R. 6400.6550 or an applicable waiver under 6400.6560.
Degree
Bachelor degree from an accredited postsecondary institution (Minn. R. 6400.6000 subp. 1 C).
Experience Review
Prior coursework and practicum experience are reviewed for any course waiver or practicum reduction.
Scores
NAB and state examination scores expire two years after testing if not fully licensed (Minn. R. 6400.6100 subp. 4 B).
Reinstatement after two to five years without continuous outside licensure
Ce And Fees
Complete continuing education and pay renewal and late fees.
Discipline
No disciplinary action during lapse.
Lapse
Minnesota license lapsed more than two but less than five years.
Outside License
No continuous NHA or HSE licensure in another jurisdiction since lapse.
Reinstatement after two to five years with continuous outside licensure
Minnesota State NHA Exam
Ce And Fees
Complete continuing education and pay renewal and late fees.
Discipline
No disciplinary action during lapse.
Lapse
Minnesota license lapsed more than two but less than five years.
Outside License
Continuously licensed as NHA or HSE in another jurisdiction since lapse.
Reinstatement after lapse under two years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Ce
Complete continuing education for each lapsed year.
Discipline
No disciplinary action while license lapsed.
Fees
Pay renewal and late fees.
Lapse
Minnesota license lapsed for less than two years.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Relicensure after five years or revocation
Age
At least 21 years of age (Minn. Stat. 144A.20 subd. 3).
Application
Complete application and fees; application expires after 18 months.
Background
Successful criminal background check.
Coursework
Courses in areas of Minn. R. 6400.6550 or an applicable waiver under 6400.6560.
Degree
Bachelor degree from an accredited postsecondary institution (Minn. R. 6400.6000 subp. 1 C).
Prior License
Prior Minnesota license revoked or not held for five years or more.
Relicensure
Apply under the original licensure requirements in Minn. R. 6400.6000.
Scores
NAB and state examination scores expire two years after testing if not fully licensed (Minn. R. 6400.6100 subp. 4 B).
Annual license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Renewal
Apply annually by June 1, pay fee, and provide continuing education evidence.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Minnesota State NHA Exam

Provider
Minnesota BELTSS
Format
Online open-resource multiple-choice
Exam questions
35
Examination outline
  • Board licensure and practice rules
  • Nursing home rules
  • Nursing home statute
  • Clean Indoor Air Act
  • Nursing home admission and monitoring
  • Health care bill of rights
  • Disease reporting
  • Pet animals in health care facilities
  • Long-term-care pharmacy operations
Examination sources

Minnesota NHA and ALD Hybrid State Exam

Provider
Minnesota BELTSS
Format
Online open-resource multiple-choice
Exam questions
50
Examination outline
  • Board licensure and practice rules
  • Nursing home rules
  • Nursing home statute
  • Clean Indoor Air Act
  • Nursing home admission and monitoring
  • Health care bill of rights
  • Disease reporting
  • Pet animals in health care facilities
  • Long-term-care pharmacy operations
  • Assisted living facility rules
  • Assisted living facility statute
  • Reporting maltreatment of vulnerable adults
  • Long-term-care consultation services
  • Background studies
  • Minnesota Food Code
Examination sources

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