How to Become an Assisted Living Facility Administrator

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Becoming an Assisted Living Facility (ALF) Administrator can be a great way to step into the senior care industry, whether you want to manage a facility or eventually own one. But the process can feel confusing, especially since requirements vary by state.

In this guide, I'll break down the general steps to becoming an ALF Administrator so you know exactly what to expect.

Check out this video, too;

Do You Need a License to Run an Assisted Living Facility?

First, let's clear up a common question: Do you need to be a licensed administrator to own an assisted living facility?

The answer is no—you do not need to be a licensed administrator to own an assisted living facility. However, licensed facilities must have a licensed administrator on staff.

If you own a facility but don’t want to be the administrator, you can hire someone with the proper credentials. But if you want to be more hands-on in daily operations (or want to start as an administrator before becoming an owner), getting licensed is the way to go.

Steps to Becoming a Licensed Assisted Living Administrator

Since every state has its own requirements, the best way to start is by searching:
🖥️ “Assisted Living Facility Administrator Requirements in [Your State]”

But in general, the process includes:

1. Meet the Education Requirements

Most states require at least a high school diploma or GED, but higher education can reduce experience requirements.

High school diploma → More work experience required
Associate’s or bachelor’s degree → Less experience required
Master’s degree → Least amount of experience required

Some states allow substituting education for experience, meaning the more schooling you have, the fewer work hours you need.

Example: In Idaho, a high school graduate may need 800 hours of work experience, while someone with a master’s degree may only need 200 hours.

2. Gain Required Work Experience

Most states require patient-facing experience before you can apply for an administrator license.

The number of hours required often depends on your education level.
Experience must often be completed in the same state where you’re applying for your license.
Work experience should involve direct care, such as caregiving, nursing, or facility management.

Tip: If you’re planning to get licensed in another state, make sure your hours will count! Some states only accept experience earned within their state.

3. Complete the Required Training Course

Many states require a 40-hour or 80-hour administrator training course, which covers:
✅ State regulations & compliance
✅ Resident care & safety
✅ Facility operations & management
✅ Emergency procedures
✅ Licensing & inspections

Each state has approved courses, which are often offered by nonprofits, universities, or state healthcare agencies.

4. Pass the Administrator Licensing Exam

After completing your training, you’ll need to pass a state-administered exam. The test typically covers:
📌 State regulations
📌 Healthcare management principles
📌 Assisted living facility operations

You usually get multiple attempts to pass, but there may be a limit on how often you can retake it within a certain timeframe.

Should You Become a Licensed Administrator?

Even if you don’t plan on working as an administrator, getting licensed can be a great move if you want to:
✔️ Open your own assisted living facility
✔️ Learn industry regulations firsthand
✔️ Gain credibility and experience

Pro Tip: If you’re serious about owning a facility, consider taking the administrator course even if you don’t plan to be the administrator yourself. It will help you understand regulations and how to manage your staff effectively.

Next Steps

🔹 Need help creating a business plan? Download our Free Business Plan Checklist

🔹 Want expert guidance to launch your facility? Apply for the ALI Mastermind Program

Have questions? Drop them in the comments below!

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