PERSONAL CARE HOME
ADMINISTRATOR (PCHA) EXAM
2026/2027 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains:
Personal Care Home Licensing, Inspections, and Regulatory Compliance
Administrator Qualifications, Responsibilities, Training, and Continuing
Education
Resident Rights, Dignity, Privacy, Confidentiality, and Grievance Procedures
Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation, Incident Reporting, and Protective Services
Responsibilities
Resident Assessment Support Plans (RASP) and Individualized Care Planning
Medication Management, Administration, and Documentation
Fire Safety, Emergency Preparedness, and Environmental Safety
Nutrition, Food Handling, and Sanitation
Staff Supervision, Training, and Competency Requirements
Resident Home Contracts, Financial Management, and Record Keeping
Dementia Care, Mental Health, and Care for Residents with Special Needs
Gerontology, Cultural Competency, and Community Resources
Introduction:
The Pennsylvania Personal Care Home Administrator (PCHA) examination
assesses a candidate's comprehensive knowledge of the regulatory, clinical, and
administrative responsibilities essential for operating a personal care home in
compliance with 55 Pa. Code Chapter 2600. It evaluates foundational
,understanding of resident rights, medication management, abuse reporting
requirements under the Older Adult Protective Services Act, fire safety, staffing
standards, and individualized care planning through Resident Assessment
Support Plans (RASPs). The exam structure includes multiple-choice and
scenario-based questions designed to test real-world application and decision-
making under Pennsylvania Department of Human Services regulations. This
assessment ensures candidates are fully prepared to provide safe, humane, and
supportive residential care in accordance with state licensing requirements.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. What is the primary purpose of a personal care home (PCH) in
Pennsylvania?
A. To provide acute medical care and skilled nursing services
B. To offer housing, supervision, and assistance with activities of daily living
(ADLs) for adults who do not require nursing home care
C. To serve as a rehabilitation hospital for post-surgery patients
D. To conduct medical research and clinical trials
B. To offer housing, supervision, and assistance with activities of daily
living (ADLs) for adults who do not require nursing home care
RATIONALE: Personal care homes are community residences that provide
help with tasks of daily living for older adults or people with disabilities who
do not require 24-hour skilled nursing care. They are not designed for acute
medical care, research, or rehabilitation.
2. Which Pennsylvania state agency is responsible for licensing and
inspecting personal care homes?
A. Pennsylvania Department of Health
B. Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS)
C. Pennsylvania Department of Aging
D. Pennsylvania Department of State
, B. Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS)
RATIONALE: The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is
the licensing and regulatory authority for personal care homes, overseeing
inspections, complaint investigations, and compliance with 55 Pa. Code
Chapter 2600.
3. According to 55 Pa. Code § 2600.53, what is the minimum age requirement
for a personal care home administrator?
A. 18 years old
B. 21 years old
C. 25 years old
D. 30 years old
B. 21 years old
RATIONALE: The administrator must be at least 21 years of age to meet
the qualifications set forth in the regulation.
4. What is the required training duration for an individual to become a
Personal Care Home Administrator in Pennsylvania?
A. 40 hours
B. 60 hours
C. 80 hours
D. 100 hours
D. 100 hours
RATIONALE: Under 55 Pa. Code § 2600.64(a)(2), prior to initial
employment as an administrator, a candidate must successfully complete a
100-hour standardized Department-approved administrator training course.
5. What is the minimum passing score required on the PCHA competency
examination?
, A. 70%
B. 75%
C. 80%
D. 90%
C. 80%
RATIONALE: According to 55 Pa. Code § 2600.64(a)(3), individuals must
successfully complete the competency-based training test with a passing score
of 80% or higher.
6. How many hours of annual continuing education must a personal care
home administrator complete after their first year?
A. 12 hours
B. 18 hours
C. 24 hours
D. 30 hours
C. 24 hours
RATIONALE: Under 55 Pa. Code § 2600.64(c), an administrator must
have at least 24 hours of annual training relating to the job duties after the
first year of employment.
7. Which of the following is NOT included in the 100-hour administrator
training course curriculum required by 55 Pa. Code § 2600.64(b)?
A. Fire prevention and emergency preparedness
B. Medication procedures and universal precautions
C. Advanced surgical nursing techniques
D. Resident rights and care for residents with dementia
C. Advanced surgical nursing techniques
RATIONALE: The training course covers fire prevention, medication
procedures, CPR and first aid, personal care services, laws and regulations,
nutrition, recreation, mental illness care, resident rights, dementia care,
ADMINISTRATOR (PCHA) EXAM
2026/2027 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains:
Personal Care Home Licensing, Inspections, and Regulatory Compliance
Administrator Qualifications, Responsibilities, Training, and Continuing
Education
Resident Rights, Dignity, Privacy, Confidentiality, and Grievance Procedures
Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation, Incident Reporting, and Protective Services
Responsibilities
Resident Assessment Support Plans (RASP) and Individualized Care Planning
Medication Management, Administration, and Documentation
Fire Safety, Emergency Preparedness, and Environmental Safety
Nutrition, Food Handling, and Sanitation
Staff Supervision, Training, and Competency Requirements
Resident Home Contracts, Financial Management, and Record Keeping
Dementia Care, Mental Health, and Care for Residents with Special Needs
Gerontology, Cultural Competency, and Community Resources
Introduction:
The Pennsylvania Personal Care Home Administrator (PCHA) examination
assesses a candidate's comprehensive knowledge of the regulatory, clinical, and
administrative responsibilities essential for operating a personal care home in
compliance with 55 Pa. Code Chapter 2600. It evaluates foundational
,understanding of resident rights, medication management, abuse reporting
requirements under the Older Adult Protective Services Act, fire safety, staffing
standards, and individualized care planning through Resident Assessment
Support Plans (RASPs). The exam structure includes multiple-choice and
scenario-based questions designed to test real-world application and decision-
making under Pennsylvania Department of Human Services regulations. This
assessment ensures candidates are fully prepared to provide safe, humane, and
supportive residential care in accordance with state licensing requirements.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. What is the primary purpose of a personal care home (PCH) in
Pennsylvania?
A. To provide acute medical care and skilled nursing services
B. To offer housing, supervision, and assistance with activities of daily living
(ADLs) for adults who do not require nursing home care
C. To serve as a rehabilitation hospital for post-surgery patients
D. To conduct medical research and clinical trials
B. To offer housing, supervision, and assistance with activities of daily
living (ADLs) for adults who do not require nursing home care
RATIONALE: Personal care homes are community residences that provide
help with tasks of daily living for older adults or people with disabilities who
do not require 24-hour skilled nursing care. They are not designed for acute
medical care, research, or rehabilitation.
2. Which Pennsylvania state agency is responsible for licensing and
inspecting personal care homes?
A. Pennsylvania Department of Health
B. Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS)
C. Pennsylvania Department of Aging
D. Pennsylvania Department of State
, B. Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS)
RATIONALE: The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is
the licensing and regulatory authority for personal care homes, overseeing
inspections, complaint investigations, and compliance with 55 Pa. Code
Chapter 2600.
3. According to 55 Pa. Code § 2600.53, what is the minimum age requirement
for a personal care home administrator?
A. 18 years old
B. 21 years old
C. 25 years old
D. 30 years old
B. 21 years old
RATIONALE: The administrator must be at least 21 years of age to meet
the qualifications set forth in the regulation.
4. What is the required training duration for an individual to become a
Personal Care Home Administrator in Pennsylvania?
A. 40 hours
B. 60 hours
C. 80 hours
D. 100 hours
D. 100 hours
RATIONALE: Under 55 Pa. Code § 2600.64(a)(2), prior to initial
employment as an administrator, a candidate must successfully complete a
100-hour standardized Department-approved administrator training course.
5. What is the minimum passing score required on the PCHA competency
examination?
, A. 70%
B. 75%
C. 80%
D. 90%
C. 80%
RATIONALE: According to 55 Pa. Code § 2600.64(a)(3), individuals must
successfully complete the competency-based training test with a passing score
of 80% or higher.
6. How many hours of annual continuing education must a personal care
home administrator complete after their first year?
A. 12 hours
B. 18 hours
C. 24 hours
D. 30 hours
C. 24 hours
RATIONALE: Under 55 Pa. Code § 2600.64(c), an administrator must
have at least 24 hours of annual training relating to the job duties after the
first year of employment.
7. Which of the following is NOT included in the 100-hour administrator
training course curriculum required by 55 Pa. Code § 2600.64(b)?
A. Fire prevention and emergency preparedness
B. Medication procedures and universal precautions
C. Advanced surgical nursing techniques
D. Resident rights and care for residents with dementia
C. Advanced surgical nursing techniques
RATIONALE: The training course covers fire prevention, medication
procedures, CPR and first aid, personal care services, laws and regulations,
nutrition, recreation, mental illness care, resident rights, dementia care,
