License GuideSOC 11-9111

Nursing Home Administrator
License.

Healthcare administrators oversee the daily operations of hospitals, clinics, and health agencies. They manage budgets, hire and supervise staff, and ensure facilities comply with regulations. They coordinate patient services, from scheduling to billing. They work with doctors and nurses to solve operational problems. They purchase equipment and supplies. They also handle strategic planning, setting goals and policies that shape how the organization delivers care. The role demands problem-solving, leadership, and deep knowledge of healthcare systems.

At a Glance

Everything a Nursing Home Administrator needs to know.

The Work
What you actually do

Licensed nursing home administrators are regulated at the state level. Every state sets its own education, exam, and experience requirements.

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Healthcare administrators oversee the daily operations of hospitals, clinics, and health agencies. They manage budgets, hire and supervise staff, and ensure facilities comply with regulations. They coordinate patient services, from scheduling to billing. They work with doctors and nurses to solve operational problems. They purchase equipment and supplies. They also handle strategic planning, setting goals and policies that shape how the organization delivers care. The role demands problem-solving, leadership, and deep knowledge of healthcare systems.

The Exam
Two-part proctored test

Most states require a national or state-administered exam covering nursing home administrator knowledge, ethics, and state law.

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You'll face a two-part exam structure. The national portion covers core competencies applicable across all states. The state-law section tests your knowledge of regulations specific to your jurisdiction. Most states contract with testing vendors like PSI, Pearson VUE, or Prometric to administer exams. You can schedule your test through these vendors' online portals. Pass rates vary by state, but you'll typically need to score 70% or higher to pass. Check your state's licensing board for exact passing scores and retake policies.

Renewal
Keeping it active

Continuing education is required between renewals in almost every state. Hours and topics vary by board.

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Nursing home administrators need continuing education credits to renew their licenses. The number of hours and required topics vary by state. Common subjects include ethics and state regulations. Check your state's board website to find your specific renewal hours and deadlines.

Is This For You
Who fits this career

Strong candidates for the nursing home administrator role combine the technical knowledge tested on the exam with judgment and communication skills you build through supervised experience.

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You'll need both exam-tested technical knowledge and practical judgment developed on the job. Communication matters most. You'll explain policies to staff, translate medical information for families, and mediate between residents and departments. The role demands patience, you're managing people under stress. You should be comfortable with detail work: budgets, regulations, staffing schedules. But you also need to see the bigger picture. The best administrators move between the concrete (this resident needs a room change) and the strategic (how do we improve care outcomes). This requires someone willing to learn continuously.

Unlicensed Risk
Practicing without a license

Practicing as a nursing home administrator without an active license is illegal in every state. Typical penalties include civil fines, forfeited income, and in some states criminal charges on repeat offenses.

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Nursing home administrators must hold an active license. Operating without one violates state law across the country. Violators face civil fines and must repay income earned during unlicensed practice. States impose additional criminal penalties for repeated offenses, though sentences are typically brief. The specific consequences vary by state and the severity of the violation.

Career Outlook
+20.5% projected

Employment change 2024 to 2034. Flagged as a bright-outlook occupation.

The Path

How to Get a Nursing Home Administrator License.

You'll follow a consistent path across most states. First, complete accredited education in your field. Next, pass a national or state exam to demonstrate competency. Then gain supervised experience, which requirements vary by state. A background check comes before licensure. After you're licensed, you'll complete continuing education credits before each renewal. Hour minimums, degree requirements, and experience timelines differ from state to state, so check your specific state's rules.

1
Meet state minimums
Each state publishes minimum age, residency, and education requirements. Review the requirements of the state where you plan to practice.
2
Complete required education
Most states require formal education or training specific to the nursing home administrator role, completed through accredited programs.
3
Pass the required exam
Most states use a state or national exam for nursing home administrators. Some states also require a jurisprudence or state-law portion.
4
Submit fingerprints and background check
Most boards collect electronic fingerprints through IdentoGO, Fieldprint, or a similar vendor and run a state and federal background check.
5
Apply for the license
Submit the state application with transcripts, exam scores, experience verification, and fees. Processing runs a few days to several months depending on state and board.
6
Pay fees and activate
Once approved, you pay the initial license fee, post any required bond or insurance, and the state issues your license number.
7
Track renewals and continuing education
Most licenses renew every one to three years with a set amount of continuing education. Missing CE or renewal deadlines risks license inactivation.
Timeline

How long it takes.

Background check and exam scheduling
2 to 6 weeks
License issuance after passing
Few days to several weeks
State processing times vary widely.
Cost Breakdown

What it costs out of pocket.

Application and license fee
Paid to the state board at submission. Varies widely by state.
$50 to $500
Fingerprint and background check
Flat vendor fee set by the state.
$40 to $120
Exam fee
Paid to the testing vendor when you schedule.
$50 to $400
Professional liability insurance
Annual policy. Required or strongly recommended in most states.
$300 to $2,500
Compensation

What Nursing Home Administrators Earn.

National annual wage by percentile.

Bottom 10%
$70k
25th percentile
$89k
Median
$118k
75th percentile
$162k
Top 10%
$219k
Resources

Where to train, certify, and connect.

Optional next steps once your Nursing Home Administrator license is active.

Advanced
Certified Surgical Services Manager
Competency and Credentialing Institute
Advanced
Certified Correctional Health Professional - Advanced
National Commission on Correctional Health Care
Advanced
Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator
Society for Simulation in Healthcare
Advanced
Bioanalyst Clinical Laboratory Director
American Association of Bioanalysts
Advanced
Certified Health Service Administrator
American Correctional Association
Core
Associate Healthcare Provider Continuity Professional
Disaster Recovery Institute International
Advanced
Certified Home Care Administrator
National Board for Home Care and Hospice Certification
Core
Certified Healthcare Business Management Executive Certification
Healthcare Billing & Management Association
Advanced
Certified Healthcare Technology Manager
Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation
Specialty
Certified Revenue Integrity Professional
American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management
Specialty
High Complexity Clinical Laboratory Director
American Association of Bioanalysts
Specialty
Andrology Laboratory Scientist
American Association of Bioanalysts
State vs State

Compare any two states.

Pre-license hours and fees vary widely. Pick two states to see the gap.

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Right
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Pre-license hours
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Exam fee
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License fee
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Nursing Home Administrator Program
Issuing board
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Frequently Asked

Questions people ask.

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