Administrator Certification Section (ACS)
ABOUT ACS
The ACS supports prospective and current administrators by proctoring mandated administrator exams, processing initial and renewal administrator applications, and ensures overall compliance of CCLD approved, third-party program training vendors to promote the health, safety, and well-being of vulnerable California residents in care.
ADMINISTRATOR CERTIFICATION BUREAU (ACB) ONLINE APPLICATION PORTAL
ACB is in the final stages of Phase 1 beta testing of the online application portal, which will be available for administrator certification renewal applications. ACB will be hosting a Zoom webinar to provide a preview and share additional details about the portal. Please reference PIN 23-19-CCLD: PHASE ONE (1) LAUNCH OF THE ADMINISTRATOR CERTIFICATION ONLINE APPLICATION PORTAL AND UPCOMING WEBINAR for detailed information on the Phase 1 target launch and capabilities.
You must register in advance for this webinar and space is limited so register early: Webinar registration link.
When: December 12, 2023, at 11:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Topic: ACB Online Application Portal Webinar
If you require accommodation or language access, such as American Sign Language or Live Captioning, please contact ccldcts@dss.ca.gov no later than Friday, December 1, 2023.
ACS Stakeholder Meeting
The Administrator Certification Section hosted a stakeholder engagement meeting on July 19, 2023, to share information regarding changes to the administrator certification training requirements, webpage enhancements, and the ACS Online Portal. A recording of the webinar and a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) resource containing questions asked during the webinar can be accessed below:
Update to the ACS Mailing Address
Please be advised that the ACS Mail Station (MS) address has changed:
Community Care Licensing Division
Administrator Certification Section (ACS)
744 P Street, MS 9-15-807
Sacramento, CA 95814
Changes to Administrator Certification Training Requirements
PIN 23-14-CCLD – (Changes to Administrator Certification Training Requirements)
Pursuant to the recently passed Assembly Bill (AB) 120, prospective and current Certified Administrators have the option to satisfy live training requirements for Initial Certification Training Programs (ICTP) and Continuing Education Training Programs (CETP) via Department-approved in-person or live-stream training. Additionally, AB 120 clarifies the requirements for individuals seeking certification or recertification as an ARFPSHN Administrator. Please refer to PIN 23-14-CCLD for more information regarding the changes to the administrator certification training requirements, including changes to course format terminology.
Administrators and vendors are encouraged to become familiar with the amendments to Health and Safety Code sections 1522.41, 1562.3, 1567.50, and 1569.616.
Administrator Certification Training Requirements
The COVID-19 waivers related to course offerings for Initial Certification Training Program (ICTP) and Continuing Education Training Program (CETP) ended February 28, 2023. To support greater access to training opportunities for current and prospective Administrators, the Administrator Certification Program (ACP) will allow vendors who were previously approved through the State of Emergency (SOE) Waiver Terms and Conditions, to resume live instruction (live-stream) through online platforms effective April 1, 2023.
As a result, current and/or prospective Administrators may fulfill required live instruction hours either in-person or live-stream from an approved vendor. If an administrator chooses to access a live-stream course, the course must be offered by an ACP vendor who has been approved by ACP to specifically provide livestream instruction. You may access ACP-approved vendors on the Administrator Certification Section website. Be advised that ICTP and CETP training requirements still apply and include, but are not limited to, the number of hours as noted below:
ICTP Requirements (must be conducted live, whether in-person or live-stream)
- Group Home (GH): 40 hours
- Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP): 40 hours
- STRTP with valid GH certificate issued by the Department: 12 hours
- Adult Residential Facility (ARF): 35 hours
- Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE): 80 hours, 20 of which may be completed via self-paced/on-demand training
- RCFE-NHA: 12 hours with a valid Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) license issued by the Department of Public Health
CETP Requirements (at least half of which must be conducted live, whether in-person or live-stream)
- GH: 40 hours
- STRTP: 40 hours
- ARF: 40 hours
- RCFE: 40 hours
- RCFE-NHA: 20 hours with a valid NHA license issued by the Department of Public Health, 20 of which may be completed via self-paced/on-demand training
Fee Increases for Administrators and Vendors
PIN 21-11-CCLD – (Changes to Administrator Certification Program Fees)
In accordance with Assembly Bill (AB) 135, an increase to the Administrator Certification Program fees is effective July 1, 2023. The fee changes include increases to existing fees for processing Initial and Continuing Education Training Program vendor applications and increases to existing fees for processing new and renewal Administrator certification applications. New fees will be assessed for the ACS exam and vendor course application processing. Refer to PIN 21-11-CCLD for additional information about fee changes.
Applicable laws in Health & Safety Code (HSC) for Administrator Certification
Regulations for Certified Administrators
Regulations for Administrator Certification Training Programs Vendors
The historical rulemaking file for the regulation updates can be found at: