Minnesota Assisted Living Director (ALD) Licensing
Practice Exam
Introduction to the Exam
The Minnesota Assisted Living Director licensing exam is administered by the Board of
Executives for Long Term Services and Supports (BELTSS). Before you can take this exam,
you must have an active application for Minnesota licensure on file with the board and
have completed the required ALD program course . The exam format includes 35
multiple-choice questions with a time limit of one hour and twenty-five minutes, and it
is an open-resource exam that tests your ability to research and interpret Minnesota
Statutes and Rules about the operation of an assisted living facility in Minnesota . You
will use board-provided statutes and rules along with the supplemental ALD
bibliography resource when taking the exam . Once your exam application and fee have
been processed, you will have fourteen days to sit for the online exam .
Practice Exam Questions
Question 1: A new assisted living director is hired on April 15th. By what date must they
apply for licensure with BELTSS?
A) May 1st
B) May 15th (30 days from hire)
C) June 15th (60 days from hire)
D) July 15th (90 days from hire)
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: According to Minnesota law, an individual must apply for licensure within
30 days of hire as an assisted living director . This is a critical timeline that ensures the
director is properly licensed and in compliance with state regulations from the
beginning of their employment. Failure to apply within this window could result in the
individual being unable to continue serving in the director role until the application is
submitted and processed. The thirty-day requirement is designed to protect residents
by ensuring that all individuals overseeing their care meet the state's qualifications and
have undergone the necessary background checks before fully assuming their duties.
,Question 2: Which Minnesota board has exclusive authority to determine the
qualifications of an Assisted Living Director?
A) Minnesota Board of Medical Practice
B) Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
C) Board of Executives for Long Term Services and Supports (BELTSS)
D) Minnesota Board of Nursing
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Under Minnesota law, the Board of Executives for Long Term Services and
Supports (BELTSS) has exclusive authority to determine qualifications for assisted living
directors . This authority includes setting the standards for education, training,
examination, and continuing education that all assisted living directors must meet to
obtain and maintain their license. BELTSS serves as the regulatory body that ensures
only qualified individuals are entrusted with the responsibility of directing assisted living
facilities and protecting the health, safety, and welfare of Minnesota's vulnerable adult
residents. The Department of Health regulates facilities themselves, while BELTSS
regulates the individual directors who manage those facilities .
Question 3: What is the minimum number of core course hours required for ALD
licensure in Minnesota?
A) 40 hours
B) 60 hours
C) 80 hours
D) 100 hours
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Minnesota rules require a minimum of 80 hours in core subjects necessary
to perform the duties of an assisted living director . This core course of study covers the
essential knowledge domains identified in the NAB (National Association of Long Term
Care Administrator Boards) job analysis for assisted living directors . The 80-hour
requirement ensures that all candidates receive comprehensive training across the
critical areas of practice they will encounter when managing an assisted living facility.
,This is in addition to the Minnesota-based course of study that covers state-specific laws
and regulations, which is also required for licensure . Together, these educational
requirements prepare directors to handle the complex responsibilities of operating an
assisted living facility in compliance with both national standards and Minnesota's
specific regulatory framework.
Question 4: An ALD candidate is completing the field experience requirement. What is
the minimum number of hours required for the practicum?
A) 160 hours
B) 240 hours
C) 320 hours
D) 480 hours
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The field experience or practicum requires a minimum of 320 hours, with
480 hours being recommended, and a maximum of 1,000 hours allowed . This practical
learning experience is designed to complement the candidate's core training and
provide hands-on exposure to the real-world responsibilities of an assisted living
director . The field experience must be conducted within an assisted living facility and
requires the candidate to average 20 hours per week of residency at the facility . For
individuals serving as a permitted Director of Record, this field experience may be
conducted at the facility where they are already employed . The practicum is completed
under the direction of a mentor who must be a licensed assisted living director or a
licensed health services executive with at least two years of licensed practice
experience . This mentorship ensures that candidates receive guidance from experienced
professionals as they develop the skills necessary to manage an assisted living facility
independently.
Question 5: A licensed ALD is renewing their license. How many hours of continuing
education are required every two years?
A) 12 hours
B) 20 hours
, C) 30 hours
D) 40 hours
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Minnesota requires at least 30 hours of continuing education every two
years on topics relevant to assisted living facility operation and resident needs . This
continuing education requirement ensures that assisted living directors remain current
with evolving best practices, regulatory changes, and emerging issues in the field of
long-term care. The continuing education must be relevant to the assisted living services
offered and residents served at the facility . Directors may use continuing education
earned to maintain another professional license, such as a nursing home administrator
license, nursing license, or social worker license, when that education is relevant to
assisted living services . All licensed assisted living directors must maintain records of
their continuing education for at least the most recent three-year period and must
provide these records to Department of Health surveyors upon request . Failure to
maintain adequate continuing education documentation can result in audit failure,
rejection of CE hours, and potential license suspension .
Question 6: An applicant for ALD licensure qualifies for the "grandparenting" pathway.
Which of the following is NOT a valid grandparenting qualification?
A) A higher education degree in nursing, social services, or mental health
B) At least three years of supervisory, management, or operational experience
C) A real estate license with 5 years of property management experience
D) Managed a housing with services establishment for at least three years
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Grandparenting qualifications under Minnesota law include: a higher
education degree in nursing, social services, or mental health or another professional
degree with training specific to management and regulatory compliance; at least three
years of supervisory, management, or operational experience with higher education
training related to assisted living; completion of at least 1,000 hours of an executive-in-
training program provided by a licensed assisted living director; or management of a
housing with services establishment operating under assisted living title protection for
at least three years . A real estate license with property management experience alone is
not sufficient to qualify under the grandparenting pathway . This is because the
Practice Exam
Introduction to the Exam
The Minnesota Assisted Living Director licensing exam is administered by the Board of
Executives for Long Term Services and Supports (BELTSS). Before you can take this exam,
you must have an active application for Minnesota licensure on file with the board and
have completed the required ALD program course . The exam format includes 35
multiple-choice questions with a time limit of one hour and twenty-five minutes, and it
is an open-resource exam that tests your ability to research and interpret Minnesota
Statutes and Rules about the operation of an assisted living facility in Minnesota . You
will use board-provided statutes and rules along with the supplemental ALD
bibliography resource when taking the exam . Once your exam application and fee have
been processed, you will have fourteen days to sit for the online exam .
Practice Exam Questions
Question 1: A new assisted living director is hired on April 15th. By what date must they
apply for licensure with BELTSS?
A) May 1st
B) May 15th (30 days from hire)
C) June 15th (60 days from hire)
D) July 15th (90 days from hire)
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: According to Minnesota law, an individual must apply for licensure within
30 days of hire as an assisted living director . This is a critical timeline that ensures the
director is properly licensed and in compliance with state regulations from the
beginning of their employment. Failure to apply within this window could result in the
individual being unable to continue serving in the director role until the application is
submitted and processed. The thirty-day requirement is designed to protect residents
by ensuring that all individuals overseeing their care meet the state's qualifications and
have undergone the necessary background checks before fully assuming their duties.
,Question 2: Which Minnesota board has exclusive authority to determine the
qualifications of an Assisted Living Director?
A) Minnesota Board of Medical Practice
B) Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
C) Board of Executives for Long Term Services and Supports (BELTSS)
D) Minnesota Board of Nursing
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Under Minnesota law, the Board of Executives for Long Term Services and
Supports (BELTSS) has exclusive authority to determine qualifications for assisted living
directors . This authority includes setting the standards for education, training,
examination, and continuing education that all assisted living directors must meet to
obtain and maintain their license. BELTSS serves as the regulatory body that ensures
only qualified individuals are entrusted with the responsibility of directing assisted living
facilities and protecting the health, safety, and welfare of Minnesota's vulnerable adult
residents. The Department of Health regulates facilities themselves, while BELTSS
regulates the individual directors who manage those facilities .
Question 3: What is the minimum number of core course hours required for ALD
licensure in Minnesota?
A) 40 hours
B) 60 hours
C) 80 hours
D) 100 hours
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Minnesota rules require a minimum of 80 hours in core subjects necessary
to perform the duties of an assisted living director . This core course of study covers the
essential knowledge domains identified in the NAB (National Association of Long Term
Care Administrator Boards) job analysis for assisted living directors . The 80-hour
requirement ensures that all candidates receive comprehensive training across the
critical areas of practice they will encounter when managing an assisted living facility.
,This is in addition to the Minnesota-based course of study that covers state-specific laws
and regulations, which is also required for licensure . Together, these educational
requirements prepare directors to handle the complex responsibilities of operating an
assisted living facility in compliance with both national standards and Minnesota's
specific regulatory framework.
Question 4: An ALD candidate is completing the field experience requirement. What is
the minimum number of hours required for the practicum?
A) 160 hours
B) 240 hours
C) 320 hours
D) 480 hours
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The field experience or practicum requires a minimum of 320 hours, with
480 hours being recommended, and a maximum of 1,000 hours allowed . This practical
learning experience is designed to complement the candidate's core training and
provide hands-on exposure to the real-world responsibilities of an assisted living
director . The field experience must be conducted within an assisted living facility and
requires the candidate to average 20 hours per week of residency at the facility . For
individuals serving as a permitted Director of Record, this field experience may be
conducted at the facility where they are already employed . The practicum is completed
under the direction of a mentor who must be a licensed assisted living director or a
licensed health services executive with at least two years of licensed practice
experience . This mentorship ensures that candidates receive guidance from experienced
professionals as they develop the skills necessary to manage an assisted living facility
independently.
Question 5: A licensed ALD is renewing their license. How many hours of continuing
education are required every two years?
A) 12 hours
B) 20 hours
, C) 30 hours
D) 40 hours
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Minnesota requires at least 30 hours of continuing education every two
years on topics relevant to assisted living facility operation and resident needs . This
continuing education requirement ensures that assisted living directors remain current
with evolving best practices, regulatory changes, and emerging issues in the field of
long-term care. The continuing education must be relevant to the assisted living services
offered and residents served at the facility . Directors may use continuing education
earned to maintain another professional license, such as a nursing home administrator
license, nursing license, or social worker license, when that education is relevant to
assisted living services . All licensed assisted living directors must maintain records of
their continuing education for at least the most recent three-year period and must
provide these records to Department of Health surveyors upon request . Failure to
maintain adequate continuing education documentation can result in audit failure,
rejection of CE hours, and potential license suspension .
Question 6: An applicant for ALD licensure qualifies for the "grandparenting" pathway.
Which of the following is NOT a valid grandparenting qualification?
A) A higher education degree in nursing, social services, or mental health
B) At least three years of supervisory, management, or operational experience
C) A real estate license with 5 years of property management experience
D) Managed a housing with services establishment for at least three years
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Grandparenting qualifications under Minnesota law include: a higher
education degree in nursing, social services, or mental health or another professional
degree with training specific to management and regulatory compliance; at least three
years of supervisory, management, or operational experience with higher education
training related to assisted living; completion of at least 1,000 hours of an executive-in-
training program provided by a licensed assisted living director; or management of a
housing with services establishment operating under assisted living title protection for
at least three years . A real estate license with property management experience alone is
not sufficient to qualify under the grandparenting pathway . This is because the
