CNHA Credential Requirements and Eligibility 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which NAB domain carries the greatest weight on the NHA licensure examination?
- Human Resources
- Finance
- Resident Care (Correct answer)
- Leadership and Management
Correct answer: Resident Care
Resident Care (also called Resident/Patient Care in some versions) consistently represents the largest weighted domain on the NAB NHA exam.
Question 2: A licensed NHA in State A wishes to obtain a license in State B without retaking the full NHA exam. Which process should they pursue?
- Reciprocity or endorsement through State B's licensing board (Correct answer)
- Reapplication as a first-time candidate
- Petition to NAB for a national license
- Request CMS to issue a federal override license
Correct answer: Reciprocity or endorsement through State B's licensing board
Most states offer reciprocity or endorsement, allowing an NHA licensed in another state to obtain licensure without retaking the full examination.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of the Administrator-in-Training (AIT) program in the NHA credentialing pathway?
- To provide classroom instruction in gerontology
- To allow candidates to earn a master's degree while working
- To offer supervised practical experience in all domains of nursing home administration (Correct answer)
- To satisfy continuing education requirements for renewal
Correct answer: To offer supervised practical experience in all domains of nursing home administration
The AIT program provides structured, supervised practical training across all functional domains of nursing home administration under a licensed NHA preceptor.
Question 4: Under NAB guidelines, which of the following is required of an AIT preceptor?
- Hold a doctoral degree in health administration
- Be currently licensed as an NHA in the state where training occurs (Correct answer)
- Have at least 10 years of experience as an NHA
- Be approved by the Joint Commission
Correct answer: Be currently licensed as an NHA in the state where training occurs
An AIT preceptor must hold a current, valid NHA license in the state where the training is conducted.
Question 5: A candidate fails the NHA exam. What is the standard NAB policy regarding retakes?
- No retakes are permitted within the same calendar year
- Candidates must wait 90 days and may reapply after meeting state board requirements (Correct answer)
- Candidates must repeat their entire AIT program before retaking
- Candidates are permanently barred after two failures
Correct answer: Candidates must wait 90 days and may reapply after meeting state board requirements
NAB policy generally requires a 90-day waiting period before a retake and may require reapplication through the state board.
Question 6: Which federal regulation specifically mandates that each Medicare/Medicaid-certified nursing facility be administered by a licensed nursing home administrator?
- 42 CFR §483.75 (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR §1910.1200
- 45 CFR §164.502
- 21 CFR §820.20
Correct answer: 42 CFR §483.75
42 CFR §483.75 requires that each SNF/NF participating in Medicare/Medicaid be administered by a licensed nursing home administrator.
Question 7: An NHA candidate has completed their AIT program but has not yet passed the NAB exam. Can they legally serve as the administrator of record at a Medicare-certified facility?
- Yes, if supervised by a licensed NHA on-site
- Yes, with a provisional license from the state board
- No, federal regulations require a fully licensed NHA as administrator of record (Correct answer)
- No, unless CMS grants a temporary waiver
Correct answer: No, federal regulations require a fully licensed NHA as administrator of record
Federal Conditions of Participation require a fully licensed NHA as administrator of record; AIT completion alone does not satisfy this requirement.
CNHA Credential Requirements and Eligibility 3
Which NAB domain carries the greatest weight on the NHA licensure examination?