What Are My Requirements to Renew My Administrator Certification?
Every two years, California assisted living administrators are required to renew their certification. This can feel overwhelming, and some of you may be wondering how to renew your administrator certification. It’s not too complicated, and by the end of this article, you’ll have the confidence and tools you need to get re-certified plus a free administrator recertification checklist to download!
Step 1: Confirm/Record Your Renewal Dates
First, identify when your certification is set to expire. The renewal window opens 90 days before the expiration date. You want to be sure to submit your renewal by the end of that period, which would be your expiration date. We recommend setting some sort of reminder for yourself so you do not miss this deadline.
Late Renewal Applications
If you are late in renewing your administrator certification, you will be charged a delinquency fee of $300. This fee is separate from the $140 required to renew your certificate. So, the cost of renewal becomes $440.
If your certificate expired less than 2 years ago, to become current, submit 40 CEUs with the late fee to become current.
If your certificate expired more than 2 years ago but less than 4 years ago, complete the required Continuing Education Training Program (CETP) hours for each two-year renewal cycle, for a total of 80 hours. Certificates expired within 4 years must be renewed with CETP, not ICTP. The exception to this requirement is for RCFE-NHA administrators, who only have to complete 40 hours for two cycles.
If your certificate expired more than 4 years ago, the certificate cannot be renewed, and you must restart certification with the Initial Certification Training Program (ICTP) from an ACB-approved vendor.
Step 2: Complete CEUs
One CEU is equal to one hour of class time. Most Continuing Education Training Programs (CETP) require 40 hours, or 40 CEUs. Of these CEUs, at least 20 of them must be live (or in a live-stream webinar) and no more than 20 of them can be self-paced.
ARF, GH, and STRTP administrators are required to complete 40 hours, including 4 hours on laws-regulations/policies/procedures for the specific facility type.
RCFE administrators are also required to complete 40 hours. These must include 4 hours on laws/regulations/procedures and 8 hours on Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
RCFE-NHA administrators must complete 20 hours with the same 4-hour and 8-hour requirements as seen in the standard RCFE administrator recertification requirement; all may be self-paced.
Complete courses through ACB-approved vendors between the “Effective” and “Expiration” dates on your Administrator Certificate. You may only complete up to 10 hours of coursework per day. No pulling all-nighters!
Understanding Course Approval Numbers
We actually made a video on this recently that explains it well. You can watch it here. Not a video person? Don’t worry, we’ll also briefly explain what these numbers mean:
The DSS Course Approval Number consists of twelve digits: the initial three digits represent the vendor identification number, followed by a four-digit segment in which the first two digits denote the course duration in hours and the remaining two indicate the subject code. The final five digits serve as the unique identifier for the specific course.
Step 3: Submit the Renewal Application
When you’ve completed your required CEUs, it’s now time to submit your renewal application to CCLD. Again: you must submit your renewal no more than 90 days before your expiration date. There are two ways to submit.
Option 1: Submit your administrator certification renewal through the CCLD Public Portal.
First, go to the CCLD public portal.
Navigate to Administrator Certification and click Manage Certifications. Select your expiring certificate.
Under options, choose Submit Renewal Application.
Complete LIC 9214, pay the $140 fee, and upload your CEU completion certificates under Completed Education. Then, submit your application. TIP: Save your submission and payment confirmations for your records.
Option 2: Submit your administrator certification renewal by mail.
Obtain an appropriately sized mailer.
Complete LIC 9214 Application for Administrator Certification.
Include completion certificates showing hours and course approval numbers.
Include a $140 signed check or money order payable to CDSS - ACB.
Mail to: Administrator Certification Bureau (ACB), 744 P Street, MS 9-15-807, Sacramento, CA 95814
We’ve created a free checklist to help you stay organized and prepare for your administrator certificate renewal! All you have to do is click the link below and enter your email, and your free checklist will arrive in your inbox shortly thereafter.
