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PA PERSONAL CARE HOME (PCH) ADMINISTRATOR EXAM 2026
QUESTIONS LATEST 2026 – 2027 VERSION SOLVED
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
PA Personal Care Home (PCH) Administrator Exam – 250 Practice Questions
SECTION 1: REGULATORY FRAMEWORK, DEFINITIONS & LICENSING (Questions 1-
50)
1. According to Pennsylvania regulations, what is the PRIMARY responsibility of a
Personal Care Home Administrator?
A) To maximize profits and reduce operational costs
B) To ensure the health, safety, and welfare of all residents while maintaining regulatory
compliance
C) To hire and fire staff without documentation
D) To manage the facility's budget exclusively
Answer: B
Rationale: The purpose of Chapter 2600 is to protect the health, safety, and well-being
of PCH residents . The administrator's primary duty is resident welfare, not profit,
staffing, or finance alone .
2. Under 55 Pa. Code Chapter 2600, a Personal Care Home (PCH) is defined as a
premise where accommodations are provided for a fee to how many or more
adults?
A) 2
B) 3
C) 4
D) 5
Answer: C
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Rationale: The regulation specifically defines a PCH as serving four or more adults who
are not relatives of the operator .
3. What is the maximum civil penalty for operating a PCH without a valid license?
A) $1,000
B) $5,000
C) $10,000
D) $25,000
Answer: C
Rationale: Unlicensed operation carries a fine of up to $10,000 per violation .
4. Which state agency is primarily responsible for licensing and inspecting PCHs in
Pennsylvania?
A) PA Department of Health
B) PA Department of Human Services (DHS)
C) PA Department of Aging
D) PA Department of Labor & Industry
Answer: B
Rationale: DHS' Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) is responsible for licensure of
personal care homes . DHS monitors and inspects all licensed facilities .
5. A PCH license must be renewed how often?
A) Annually
B) Every 2 years
C) Every 3 years
D) Every 5 years
Answer: A
Rationale: PCH licenses must be renewed annually .
6. If a PCH changes its physical location, what must the administrator do?
A) Notify DHS within 30 days
B) Apply for a new license
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C) Update the letterhead
D) Nothing, if name stays same
Answer: B
Rationale: A change of physical location requires a new license application .
7. Who is responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws in a PCH?
A) The residents
B) Direct care staff
C) The administrator
D) Housekeeping supervisor
Answer: C
Rationale: The administrator has ultimate responsibility for compliance with all
applicable laws .
8. "Activities of daily living" (ADLs) include all of the following EXCEPT:
A) Bathing
B) Dressing
C) Managing investments
D) Eating
Answer: C
Rationale: Managing finances is an IADL (Instrumental Activity of Daily Living), not an
ADL. ADLs include eating, drinking, bathing, ambulating, transferring, toileting, and self-
administering drugs .
9. What is the minimum passing score on the PCH Administrator competency
exam?
A) 70%
B) 75%
C) 80%
D) 85%
Answer: C
Rationale: The regulation requires a score of at least 80% .
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10. How many hours of DHS-approved training are required for PCH Administrator
certification?
A) 40 hours
B) 60 hours
C) 80 hours
D) 100 hours
Answer: D
Rationale: 55 Pa. Code § 2600.64 requires 100 hours of DHS-approved training .
11. How many annual continuing education (CE) hours are required for PCH
Administrators?
A) 12 hours
B) 18 hours
C) 24 hours
D) 30 hours
Answer: C
Rationale: § 2600.64 mandates 24 hours of continuing education each year .
12. An administrator serving 8 or fewer residents may qualify with a high school
diploma plus how many years of experience?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 4 years
Answer: B
Rationale: HS/GED plus 2 years of direct care or administrative experience is
acceptable for homes serving up to 8 residents .
13. The administrator must be physically present in the home at least how many
hours per week?
A) 20 hours
B) 25 hours
PA PERSONAL CARE HOME (PCH) ADMINISTRATOR EXAM 2026
QUESTIONS LATEST 2026 – 2027 VERSION SOLVED
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
PA Personal Care Home (PCH) Administrator Exam – 250 Practice Questions
SECTION 1: REGULATORY FRAMEWORK, DEFINITIONS & LICENSING (Questions 1-
50)
1. According to Pennsylvania regulations, what is the PRIMARY responsibility of a
Personal Care Home Administrator?
A) To maximize profits and reduce operational costs
B) To ensure the health, safety, and welfare of all residents while maintaining regulatory
compliance
C) To hire and fire staff without documentation
D) To manage the facility's budget exclusively
Answer: B
Rationale: The purpose of Chapter 2600 is to protect the health, safety, and well-being
of PCH residents . The administrator's primary duty is resident welfare, not profit,
staffing, or finance alone .
2. Under 55 Pa. Code Chapter 2600, a Personal Care Home (PCH) is defined as a
premise where accommodations are provided for a fee to how many or more
adults?
A) 2
B) 3
C) 4
D) 5
Answer: C
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Rationale: The regulation specifically defines a PCH as serving four or more adults who
are not relatives of the operator .
3. What is the maximum civil penalty for operating a PCH without a valid license?
A) $1,000
B) $5,000
C) $10,000
D) $25,000
Answer: C
Rationale: Unlicensed operation carries a fine of up to $10,000 per violation .
4. Which state agency is primarily responsible for licensing and inspecting PCHs in
Pennsylvania?
A) PA Department of Health
B) PA Department of Human Services (DHS)
C) PA Department of Aging
D) PA Department of Labor & Industry
Answer: B
Rationale: DHS' Office of Long-Term Living (OLTL) is responsible for licensure of
personal care homes . DHS monitors and inspects all licensed facilities .
5. A PCH license must be renewed how often?
A) Annually
B) Every 2 years
C) Every 3 years
D) Every 5 years
Answer: A
Rationale: PCH licenses must be renewed annually .
6. If a PCH changes its physical location, what must the administrator do?
A) Notify DHS within 30 days
B) Apply for a new license
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C) Update the letterhead
D) Nothing, if name stays same
Answer: B
Rationale: A change of physical location requires a new license application .
7. Who is responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws in a PCH?
A) The residents
B) Direct care staff
C) The administrator
D) Housekeeping supervisor
Answer: C
Rationale: The administrator has ultimate responsibility for compliance with all
applicable laws .
8. "Activities of daily living" (ADLs) include all of the following EXCEPT:
A) Bathing
B) Dressing
C) Managing investments
D) Eating
Answer: C
Rationale: Managing finances is an IADL (Instrumental Activity of Daily Living), not an
ADL. ADLs include eating, drinking, bathing, ambulating, transferring, toileting, and self-
administering drugs .
9. What is the minimum passing score on the PCH Administrator competency
exam?
A) 70%
B) 75%
C) 80%
D) 85%
Answer: C
Rationale: The regulation requires a score of at least 80% .
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10. How many hours of DHS-approved training are required for PCH Administrator
certification?
A) 40 hours
B) 60 hours
C) 80 hours
D) 100 hours
Answer: D
Rationale: 55 Pa. Code § 2600.64 requires 100 hours of DHS-approved training .
11. How many annual continuing education (CE) hours are required for PCH
Administrators?
A) 12 hours
B) 18 hours
C) 24 hours
D) 30 hours
Answer: C
Rationale: § 2600.64 mandates 24 hours of continuing education each year .
12. An administrator serving 8 or fewer residents may qualify with a high school
diploma plus how many years of experience?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 4 years
Answer: B
Rationale: HS/GED plus 2 years of direct care or administrative experience is
acceptable for homes serving up to 8 residents .
13. The administrator must be physically present in the home at least how many
hours per week?
A) 20 hours
B) 25 hours
