Initial Certification and Renewal Certification Requirements

Read on to learn about Initial Certification and Renewal Certification Requirements for ARF, RCFE, GH, and STRTP Administrators.

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Initial Certification Requirements     Renewal Certification Requirements

Initial Certification Requirements

To become a Certified Administrator for RCFE, ARF, GH or STRTP facility types, you must complete the steps required for each program separately. The steps, however, are the same for any type of certification.

    1. Complete the Initial Training
      • Complete the ICTP (Initial Certification Training Program) for the program you wish to become certified in with an approved vendor. TIP: Community Training Connection is an approved ICTP Vendor for ARF and RCFE only!
    2. Register for the Exam
      • Students have 60 days after the last day of the ICTP class to register AND take the exam. You must pass within 3 attempts within those 60 days. You’ll use these registration instructions to register for the exam.
    3. Pay the Exam Fee
    4. Pass the Department Administered Exam
      • Community Training Connection does not host the exam, you will receive an Exam Confirmation Email from ACS (Administrator Certification Section)
    5. Submit your Application
      • Within 30 days of passing the exam, you will need to submit LIC 9214 Application for Administrator Certification form.
      • The form download includes instructions for initial applicants in a handy checklist format. As always, if you have questions – let us know! We’re happy to help!

NOTE: Do not wait for your Live Scan results to submit your application. Your clearance information will be sent directly to CDSS.

What About... Exemptions?

If for a good cause (e.g., death in immediate family, required fulfillment of military service or other civic duty) you cannot meet these timelines, you may request an extension within the allowed timeframes.

Use the Extension Request Form

If you have been granted an extension, include the approval letter in your application packet submission

What About... My Status?

As soon as an application is received, ACS immediately processes the application payment. This does not mean that ACS is processing your application. This means that the ACS has received your application.

The ACS typically begins processing of applications within 30 days of receipt.

Check the ACS website for application processing dates and to view information on how and when to check the status of your application.

What About... Expediting the Process?

Applicants may submit an expedite request for their application if they have a qualifying event.

Check their list of information regarding qualifying events and instructions

Renewal Certification Requirements

To renew your Administrator Certification for for RCFE, ARF, GH or STRTP facility types, you must complete the steps required for each program. The steps, however, are the same for any type of certification.

    1. Complete the Required Continuing Education Training
      • You may complete CEU hours anytime during the certification’s valid period (between effective and expiration date).TIP: Community Training Connection is an approved CEU Vendor for ARF, RCFE, GH, and STRTP!
      • Certification renewal of each facility type listed below requires 40 hours; at least 20 of which must be conducted in a live course format, and 20 may be completed in a self-paced course format.
        • GH: 40 hours; including at least four (4) hours of instruction in laws, regulations, policies and procedural standards.
        • STRTP: 40 hours; including at least four (4) hours of instruction in laws, regulations, policies and procedural standards.
        • ARF: 40 hours; including at least four (4) hours of instruction in laws, regulations, policies and procedural standards.
        • RCFE: 40 hours; including at least four (4) hours of instruction in laws, regulations, policies and procedural standards; and at least eight (8) hours in subjects related to serving residents with Alzheimer’s Disease or other dementias.
        • RCFE with valid Nursing Home Administrator certificate (RCFE-NHA): 20 hours; including at least four (4) hours of instruction in laws, regulations, policies and procedural standards; and at least eight (8) hours in subjects related to serving residents with Alzheimer’s Disease or other dementias. You can complete 20 of them through self-paced/on-demand training.
    2. Submit your Application

What About... If I am Late?

A $300 delinquency fee is required if the application packet is postmarked after the certificate expiration date or if the application is incomplete after the certificate expiration date.

What About... If I am REALLY Late?

If renewing more than two (2) years but less than four (4) years after certificate expired, submit:

  • Proof of completion of an additional forty (40) hours of continuing education (or 20 for RCFE-NHA certificate holders), including an additional four (4) hours in “laws, regulations, etc.” and eight (8) hours in dementia subjects as detailed above.
  • A $300 delinquency fee

NOTE: If certificates have been expired for more than four (4) years, you cannot renew them. If your certificate has been expired for more than four (4) years, you will need to take the initial training and pass an exam again.

What About... I Have More Than One Certificate?

While you will still be required to submit a separate application for each certificate type you hold, Community Training Connection offers courses that are co-located!

What does co-located mean? 

If a course is approved for all your certificate types, you can use it for all renewals by creating a copy for each application.