Information for Examinees
Information for Administrators
Information for Vendors
Application Status
Forms
Online Application Portal
ABOUT ACB
The ACBsupports 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.
- HOW TO BECOME A CERTIFIED ADMINISTRATOR FOR CCL RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES
- HOW TO RENEW YOUR ADMINISTRATOR CERTIFICATE FOR CCL RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES
CCLD CONSIDERATIONS FOR CERTIFIED ADMINISTRATORS
The Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) has offered the following considerations to provide some relief to the provider community as related to the ACB applications backlog.
- FOR FACILITY LICENSE APPROVAL
- When an administrator is associated to a pending facility licensure (initial or change of ownership), the administrator’s application is expedited, and certification approval is conducted along with licensure approval.This is done through internal coordination with Children's’Residential Program (CRP) or Adult and Senior Care Program (ASCP), RegionalOffices (RO) or Centralized Applications Bureau (CAB).
If this situation applies to you or if you have questions about the pending facility licensure,please contactCABor your assigned
CRP RO
- When an administrator is associated to a pending facility licensure (initial or change of ownership), the administrator’s application is expedited, and certification approval is conducted along with licensure approval.This is done through internal coordination with Children's’Residential Program (CRP) or Adult and Senior Care Program (ASCP), RegionalOffices (RO) or Centralized Applications Bureau (CAB).
- FOR CRITICAL NEED
- If there is a critical need for certification approval (for example if services from a partner agency, such as the county or Regional Center, is at risk of being disrupted; or residents are at risk of relocation as a result of a pending certification renewal; or if a new administrator needs to be onboarded immediately), your local Regional Office may request to expedite certification on the administrator’s behalf.
If this situation applies to you, please contact the assigned LPA for the licensed facility to discuss the critical need. If the RO determines that an expedite certification approval is necessary, they will send the request to ACB on your behalf.
- If there is a critical need for certification approval (for example if services from a partner agency, such as the county or Regional Center, is at risk of being disrupted; or residents are at risk of relocation as a result of a pending certification renewal; or if a new administrator needs to be onboarded immediately), your local Regional Office may request to expedite certification on the administrator’s behalf.
- FOR FACILITY INSPECTIONS
- During the course of a facility inspection, if the administrator certificate is expired and the licensee can validate the submission of a renewal certificate application, the LPA should take into consideration whether a citation is warranted.Each citation should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis including the facility and administrator’s history of compliance.
If this situation applies to you, please consult with the assigned LPA to discuss questions or concerns with regards to a citation related to an expired administrator certificate.
- During the course of a facility inspection, if the administrator certificate is expired and the licensee can validate the submission of a renewal certificate application, the LPA should take into consideration whether a citation is warranted.Each citation should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis including the facility and administrator’s history of compliance.
Upcoming - ACB Webinar, June 4, 2024
ACB will be hosting a webinar to provide updates on the Administrator Certification Online Application Portal and Phase 2 development, application processing, and website enhancements. The webinar will include a live questions and answers portion. Questions and responses will be compiled in a Frequently Asked Questions document that will be posted on the Administrator Certification Bureau website.
Register in advance for this webinar:
If you would like to attend the webinar, please register in advance as space is limited.
When: June 4, 2024, at 1:00 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 Friday, May 24, 2024.
Past Webinars
ACB Webinar, December 12, 2023
Topics: Application processing updates; Online Application Portal walkthrough.
- Recording
- FAQ
ACB Webinar, July 19, 2023
Topics: Assembly Bill 120; CCLD Considerations; website enhancements; Online Application Portal overview.
- Recording
- FAQ
Update to the ACBMailing Address
Please be advised that the ACBMail Station (MS) address has changed:
Community Care Licensing Division
Administrator Certification Bureau (ACB)
744 P Street, MS 9-15-807
Sacramento, CA95814
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 Bureau (ACB) 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 ACBvendor who has been approved by ACB to specifically provide livestream instruction. You may access ACB-approved vendors on the Administrator Certification Bureau 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 withAssembly Bill (AB) 135, an increase to the Administrator Certification Program fees is effectiveJuly 1, 2024. 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 ACB exam and vendor course application processing. Refer to PIN 21-11-CCLDfor additional information about fee changes.
Applicable laws in Health & Safety Code (HSC) for Administrator Certification
- GH and STRTP HSC 1522.41
- ARF HSC 1562.3
- RCFE HSC 1569.616
Regulations for Certified Administrators
- Group Home (GH)
- Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP)
- Adult Residential Facilities (ARF)
- Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE)
Regulations for Administrator Certification Training Programs Vendors
- Vendor Regs for Group Homes
- Interim Licensing Standards for STRTP
- Vendor Regs for ARFs
- Vendor Regs for RCFE
The historical rulemaking file for the regulation updates can be found at:
- Regulations Changes in Process/Completed Regulations
- Interim Licensing Standards re: administrator certification for Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs