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).

ADMINISTRATOR CERTIFICATION PROCESS

The following resources provide guidance to prospective and current administrators regarding the administrator certification process:

HOW TO BECOME A CERTIFIED ADMINISTRATOR FOR CCL RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES

HOW TO RENEW YOUR ADMINISTRATOR CERTIFICATE FOR CCL RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES

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 Vendor Webinar, May 29, 2025
Topics: Website enhancements, Vendor Automation Platform updates, course monitoring, course and certificate reminders, and policy updates.

Recording (Coming soon)
FAQ (Coming soon)

Administrator Certification Bureau Webinar, March 20, 2025
Topics: Online Application Portal updates, application processing timelines, website enhancements, and certification reminders

Recording

Past Webinar Resources

Administrator Certification Program Fees

Administrator Certification Fees

Application	Fee Amount
Administrator Initial Application	$140
Administrator Renewal Application	$140
Administrator Examination Fee	$100

Vendor Application Fees

Application	Fee Amount
Vendor Initial Application, Initial Certification Training Program (ICTP)	$210
Vendor Renewal Application (ICTP)	$210
Vendor Initial Application, Continuing Education Training Program (CETP)	$140
Vendor Renewal Application (CETP)	$140
Vendor Course Fees (CETP)	$10 per unit

Laws in Health & Safety Code (HSC) for Administrator Certification

GH and STRTP HSC 1522.41
ARF HSC 1562.3
RCFE HSC 1569.616

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

The historical rulemaking file for the regulation updates can be found at:

Contact Us

Community Care Licensing Division
Administrator Certification Bureau (ACB)
744 P Street, MS 9-15-807
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-653-9300
AdminCertInfo@dss.ca.gov

ACB Public E-mail Inboxes

For inquiries regarding the administrator exams, please email the Administrator Examination Unit at ExamRegistration@dss.ca.gov.

For inquiries regarding administrator applications, please email the Administrator Certification Processing Unit at AdminCertInfo@dss.ca.gov.

For inquiries regarding administrator training, please email the Vendor Support and Review Unit at ACSVendorInfo@dss.ca.gov.

Attention Applicants

Stay Informed: Updates to the ACB Mainline

Effective February 1, 2025, the ACB Mainline will be available Monday through Wednesday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM PST. Regular phone line operations of Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM will resume on July 1, 2025. Administrators and vendors are encouraged to send an email to the applicable email address above if contacting the ACB outside of the modified phone hours.

*Please note that ACB does NOT accept applications, payments, or other documents on a walk-in basis. Currently, initial applications for administrator certification must be sent via postal mail. Renewal applications for administrator recertification may be sent via postal mail or the Online Application Portal. Vendors may upload their documents through the Vendor Automation Platform.

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