Licensing pathways
Licensure Pathway 1: AIT Program
- Bachelor's degree
- Certificate of Training Completion in the Administrator in Training (AIT) program
- Passing score on the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) examination within one year following the date of application, sent directly by the NAB to the Health Licensing Office (HLO)
- Passing score on NHAB-approved state examination within one year preceding or one year following the date of application
Licensure Pathway 2: Dual Facility Experience
- At least one year of experience as an administrator serving a dual facility (a facility that operates a hospital and a long-term care facility on the same campus)
- Passing score on the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) examination within one year following the date of application, sent directly by the NAB to the Health Licensing Office (HLO)
- Passing score on NHAB-approved state examination within one year preceding or one year following the date of application
Licensure Pathway 3: Advanced Education & Experience
- Postgraduate degree in management
- At least 10 years of experience in health care management, defined as the administration, planning, organizing, directing, staffing and budgeting of a licensed health care facility
Licensure Pathway 4: Reciprocity
- Affidavit of licensure demonstrating proof of current and active licensure as a nursing home administrator issued by another state or territory of the United States with licensing requirements at least equivalent to Oregon requirements, with no current or pending disciplinary action
Licensure Pathway 5: Reciprocity Prior to 1983
- Affidavit of licensure demonstrating proof of current and active licensure as a nursing home administrator issued by another state or territory of the United States with licensing requirements at least equivalent to Oregon requirements originally issued prior to Jan. 1, 1983, with no current or pending disciplinary action
Provisional License
- Whenever a bona fide emergency exists such as, but not limited to, the death, incapacitation, or unexpected resignation of a licensed nursing home administrator and the nursing home which such person was administering is unable to employ a regularly licensed nursing home administrator, the long-term care facility may be administered by a provisionally licensed nursing home administrator. The provisional license is valid for only the nursing home in which the emergency that allowed the provisional license exists, and is valid until a licensed nursing home administrator can be employed, but not to exceed six months.
- Formal request from the owner or manager of the nursing home explaining the emergency situation and the need for a provisional administrator
- Proof of qualification under licensure pathways 2, 3, 4 or 5
- Current employment as the nursing home's Assistant Administrator, or
- Current employment as the nursing home's Director of Nursing
Examinations
The Board-approved examinations for a nursing home administrator license are the state-prepared Oregon Laws and Rules Examination given by the Health Licensing Office and the Nursing Home Administrators Licensing examination given by the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB).
Oregon Laws & Rules Examination
The state-prepared exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum passing score of 75 percent. There is no time limit on the examination.
The exam covers information contained within the Oregon Administrative Rules for:
The rules listed are solely for the purpose of preparing for the state-prepared exam and are not inclusive of all rules for nursing home administrators and nursing facilities in Oregon.
The exam is given on a walk-in basis at the Health Licensing Office, 1430 Tandem Ave. NE, Suite 180, Salem, OR 97301-2192. It is offered 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. Applicants will not be able to sit for an examination if they do not have the appropriate amount of time and should arrive as early as possible. Please review the identification requirements for testing and application.
Applicants must pass the exam within one year preceding or one year after the date of application for a nursing home administrator license.
Nursing Home Administrators Laws and Rules Examination Information Bulletin
National Examination
The NAB examination is a 150-question computer-based exam and requires a passing score (scale score) of 113. The time limit for the exam is three hours.
The NAB exam covers resident care and quality of life, human resources, physical environment and atmosphere, and leadership and management. The NAB Study Guide can be accessed at www.nabweb.org.
When the AIT program requirements have been satisfied, registration for the national examination may be accessed online at www.nabweb.org. NAB exams are offered at Prometric Test Centers, which are located in Eugene, Milwaukie, Portland and Salem.
The NAB exam must be successfully completed within one year after the date of application for a Nursing Home Administrators License. Official documentation of a passing score on the NAB examination must be sent by the NAB directly to the Health Licensing Office.
State-prepared examination retake requirements
To provide a standardized process for all regulated professions when applicants for licensure fail state-prepared written qualifying examinations for licensure, the Health Licensing Office has established the following requirements:
- After first failed attempt, applicant may not retake until the office's next business day
- After second failed attempt, applicant may not retake until the office's next business day
- After third failed attempt, applicant may not retake until the office's next business day
- After fourth failed attempt, applicant may not retake for seven calendar days
- After fifth failed attempt, applicant may not retake for seven calendar days
- After sixth failed attempt, applicant may not retake for seven calendar days
- After seventh failed attempt, ability to retake, requirements for retake, or both, will be determined by the office or appropriate board or council on a case-by-case basis
This requirement does not apply to professions that have their own examination retake requirements.
Forms