Administrator Certification Bureau (ACB)
ABOUT ACB
The ACB supports prospective and current administrators by proctoring mandated administrator exams, processing initial and renewal administrator applications, and ensures overall compliance of Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) approved, third-party program training vendors to promote the health, safety, and well-being of vulnerable California residents in licensed Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE), Adult Residential Facilities (ARF), Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs (STRTP), and Group Homes (GH).
Update on Administrator Certification Online Application Portal Accounts
ACB is providing this update to inform administrators about the status of account creation in the online application portal. This update applies to administrators who received an initial certification on or after January 17, 2024.
Background
ACB launched the online application portal (portal) on January 17, 2024. The portal is available to administrators who are eligible to renew their certificate. Administrators can use the portal to submit their application for certification renewal, pay applicable fees, and submit their continuing education credits to ACB. Additional information about the portal is available on ACB’s portal webpage.
Account Creation and Updates
When the portal launched on January 17, 2024, administrator account data was imported to create accounts for eligible users. ACB is now in the process of importing additional administrator account data to create new portal accounts for administrators who received an initial certification on or after January 17, 2024.
Accessing Your Account
Please note that registration to use the portal is not necessary. Administrators who initially certified on or after January 17, 2024 will receive an email from NoReplyAdminCert@dss.ca.gov with the subject “Account Creation Notification.” This email includes login instructions for accessing your account. Be sure to check your inbox and spam/junk folders for this message. If you plan to use the portal for renewal—which ACB strongly recommends—please follow the instructions provided in the email to access your account. These messages will go out on a rolling basis for the next few months.
Using the portal remains optional. A valid individual email address is necessary to access the portal. If you do not have a valid email on file or need to update your email, please contact AdminCertInfo@dss.ca.gov to provide it.
For more information on the renewal application process, please refer to this flowchart on our website.
Important! A new administrator certificate number will be assigned to all current administrators. New certificate numbers will be a ten (10) digit number beginning with seven (7) and ending with the last three digits representing the residential type facility code. No action is needed by the administrator.
Facility Types that Require Administrator Certification
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Adult and Senior Care Program
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Children’s Residential Program
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Adult Residential Facilities (ARF)
- Adult Residential Facilities for Persons with Special Health Care Needs (ARFPSHN)*
- Community Crisis Homes (CCH)/ARF
- Enhanced Behavioral Supports Homes (EBSH)/ARF
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Group Homes (GH)
- Group Homes for Children with Special Health Care Needs (GHCSHN)
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Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE)
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Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs (STRTP)
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* ARFPSHNs are not defined as ARFs pursuant to Health and Safety Code (HSC) Section 1502. However, pursuant to HSC Section 1567.50, ARFPSHNs must meet Administrator Certification requirements applicable to ARFs.
For more information regarding the statutory and regulatory authority for these facilities, refer to the ACB Facility Types table.
ADMINISTRATOR CERTIFICATION PROCESS
The following resources provide guidance to prospective and current administrators regarding the administrator certification process:
Upcoming – ACB Webinar, October 30, 2025
ACB will be hosting a webinar to provide updates on application processing timelines; ACB website updates; ACB form updates; certification reminders; updates on the Administrator Certification Online Application Portal and the Facility Management System (FMS). The webinar will include a live question and answer portion.
Register in advance for this webinar:
If you would like to attend the webinar, please register in advance as space is limited.
When: October 30, 2025, at 1:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Administrator Certification Bureau 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 Monday,
October 20, 2025.
Past Webinars
The ACB hosts webinars for administrators, vendors, and community partners. You may access recordings and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) during the webinars by clicking the links below:
Administrator Certification Bureau Webinar, July 24, 2025
Topics: Application processing timelines, how to become a vendor, ACB website updates, Facility Management System (FMS), and updates on the Administrator Certification Online Application Portal.
Administrator Certification Bureau Vendor Webinar, May 29, 2025
Topics: Website enhancements, Vendor Automation Platform updates, course monitoring, course and certificate reminders, and policy updates.
Administrator Certification Bureau Webinar, March 20, 2025
Topics: Online Application Portal updates, application processing timelines, website enhancements, and certification reminders
Administrator Certification Program Fees
Administrator Certification Fees
| Application
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Fee Amount
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| Administrator Initial Application
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$140
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| Administrator Renewal Application
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$140
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| Administrator Examination Fee
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$100
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Vendor Application Fees
| Application
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Fee Amount
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| Vendor Initial Application, Initial Certification Training Program (ICTP)
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$210
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| Vendor Renewal Application (ICTP)
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$210
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| Vendor Initial Application, Continuing Education Training Program (CETP)
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$140
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| Vendor Renewal Application (CETP)
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$140
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| Vendor Course Fees (CETP)
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$10 per unit
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Laws in Health & Safety Code (HSC) for Administrator Certification
Regulations in California Code of Regulations (CCR) and STRTP Interim Licensing Standards (ILS) for Administrator Certification
Regulations in California Code of Regulations (CCR) and STRTP Interim Licensing Standards (ILS) for Administrator Certification Training Program Vendors
Additional regulation resources: