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PA PERSONAL CARE HOME (PCH) ADMINISTRATOR EXAM
PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
ACADEMIC YEAR 2026-2027 FULL PACKAGE QUESTIONS
ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF..!!
The Pennsylvania Personal Care Home (PCH) Administrator Examination is the mandatory competency
assessment for individuals seeking to serve as administrators of personal care homes licensed under 55 Pa.
Code Chapter 2600. Administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), this exam
validates a candidate's mastery of the regulatory framework, resident rights, admission and retention criteria,
medication management, staffing requirements, and safety standards that govern personal care home
operations. The exam is critical because PCH administrators are legally responsible for protecting the health,
safety, and well-being of residents who are adults requiring supportive services but not skilled nursing care.
Candidates must complete a 100-hour DHS-approved training course and achieve a passing score of 80% on the
competency examination. This question bank has been meticulously crafted to simulate the advanced,
application-level difficulty of the actual assessment. By working through these 200 scenario-driven questions
covering Chapter 2600 regulations, you will develop the regulatory precision needed to pass on your first
attempt.
CORE DOMAINS TESTED
1. Regulatory Framework & Licensing – 55 Pa. Code Chapter 2600, licensing procedures, inspections,
maximum capacity, fire safety, waivers, and scope of regulations.
2. Administrator Qualifications & Training – Age 21 minimum, 100-hour training course, competency
exam (80% passing), 24 hours annual continuing education, qualifications, and responsibilities.
3. Resident Rights – Notification of rights, specific rights, prohibition against deprivation, complaint
procedures, non-discrimination, dignity, privacy, visitors, and freedom from restraints.
4. Admission, Retention & Support Planning – Admission criteria, resident-home contracts, support
plans, assessments, discharge, and refunds.
5. Medication Management – Self-administration, assistance vs. administration, medication records,
labeling, storage, and staff training requirements.
6. Staffing Requirements – Direct care staffing hours (1 hour per mobile resident, 2 hours per resident
with mobility needs), 75% waking hours, designee requirements, and staff qualifications.
7. Safety, Physical Site & Quality Management – Fire safety, sanitation, physical accommodations,
quality management plans, reportable incidents, and abuse reporting.
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QUESTIONS 1-200
Q1: A candidate has completed the 100-hour DHS-approved personal care
home administrator training course. What minimum score must the candidate
achieve on the competency-based examination to qualify as a PCH
administrator?
A) 70%
B) 75%
C) 80%
D) 90%
Rationale: The correct answer is C because 55 Pa. Code § 2600.64(a)(3) requires
a passing score of 80 or higher on the competency-based examination. Option
A is incorrect because 70% is below the regulatory standard. Option B is
incorrect because 75% is insufficient. Option D is incorrect because 90% exceeds
the minimum requirement.
Q2: What is the minimum age requirement for an individual to serve as a
personal care home administrator in Pennsylvania?
A) 18 years
B) 21 years
C) 25 years
D) 30 years
Rationale: The correct answer is B because 55 Pa. Code § 2600.53(a) requires
administrators to be at least 21 years of age. Option A is incorrect because 18 is
the minimum age for direct care staff, not administrators. Option C is incorrect
because 25 is not a regulatory requirement. Option D is incorrect because 30
exceeds the requirement.
Q3: How many hours of annual continuing education must a personal care
home administrator complete?
A) 12 hours
B) 18 hours
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C) 24 hours
D) 30 hours
Rationale: The correct answer is C because 55 Pa. Code § 2600.64(c) requires at
least 24 hours of annual training relating to job duties. Option A is incorrect
because 12 hours is only the maximum that may be completed online. Option B
is incorrect because 18 hours is insufficient. Option D is incorrect because 30
hours exceeds the requirement.
Q4: A personal care home has a bedroom currently occupied by two residents.
The administrator is considering adding a third resident. Under 55 Pa. Code
Chapter 2600, what is the maximum number of residents permitted per
bedroom?
A) One
B) Two
C) Three
D) Four
Rationale: The correct answer is B because Chapter 2600 specifies no more
than two residents per bedroom to ensure adequate space and privacy. Option
A is incorrect because one is unnecessarily restrictive. Option C is incorrect
because three exceeds the limit. Option D is incorrect because four is far above
the maximum.
Q5: Which regulation governs the operation of personal care homes in
Pennsylvania?
A) 55 Pa. Code Chapter 2800
B) 55 Pa. Code Chapter 2600
C) 55 Pa. Code Chapter 6500
D) 55 Pa. Code Chapter 6100
Rationale: The correct answer is B because Chapter 2600 is the primary
regulatory framework for personal care homes. Option A is incorrect because
Chapter 2800 governs assisted living residences. Option C is incorrect because
Chapter 6500 applies to community homes for individuals with intellectual
disabilities. Option D is incorrect because Chapter 6100 governs waiver services.
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Q6: A resident requiring personal care services must have a written support
plan developed within what timeframe after admission?
A) 7 days
B) 30 days
C) 60 days
D) 90 days
Rationale: The correct answer is B because 55 Pa. Code § 2600.227(a) requires
a written support plan developed and implemented within 30 days of
admission. Option A is incorrect because 7 days is the timeframe for the initial
assessment, not the full support plan. Option C is incorrect because 60 days
exceeds the requirement. Option D is incorrect because 90 days is the
medication self-administration review interval, not the support plan deadline.
Q7: How many hours of personal care services per day must direct care staff be
available to provide to each mobile resident?
A) 0.5 hour
B) 1 hour
C) 1.5 hours
D) 2 hours
Rationale: The correct answer is B because 55 Pa. Code § 2600.57(b) requires at
least 1 hour per day of personal care services to each mobile resident. Option A
is incorrect because 0.5 hour is insufficient. Option C is incorrect because 1.5
hours exceeds the minimum for mobile residents. Option D is incorrect because
2 hours is the requirement for residents with mobility needs.
Q8: How many hours of personal care services per day must direct care staff be
available to provide to each resident who has mobility needs?
A) 1 hour
B) 2 hours
C) 3 hours
D) 4 hours
Rationale: The correct answer is B because 55 Pa. Code § 2600.57(c) requires at
least 2 hours per day of personal care services to each resident with mobility
needs. Option A is incorrect because 1 hour is the requirement for mobile
PA PERSONAL CARE HOME (PCH) ADMINISTRATOR EXAM
PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
ACADEMIC YEAR 2026-2027 FULL PACKAGE QUESTIONS
ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF..!!
The Pennsylvania Personal Care Home (PCH) Administrator Examination is the mandatory competency
assessment for individuals seeking to serve as administrators of personal care homes licensed under 55 Pa.
Code Chapter 2600. Administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), this exam
validates a candidate's mastery of the regulatory framework, resident rights, admission and retention criteria,
medication management, staffing requirements, and safety standards that govern personal care home
operations. The exam is critical because PCH administrators are legally responsible for protecting the health,
safety, and well-being of residents who are adults requiring supportive services but not skilled nursing care.
Candidates must complete a 100-hour DHS-approved training course and achieve a passing score of 80% on the
competency examination. This question bank has been meticulously crafted to simulate the advanced,
application-level difficulty of the actual assessment. By working through these 200 scenario-driven questions
covering Chapter 2600 regulations, you will develop the regulatory precision needed to pass on your first
attempt.
CORE DOMAINS TESTED
1. Regulatory Framework & Licensing – 55 Pa. Code Chapter 2600, licensing procedures, inspections,
maximum capacity, fire safety, waivers, and scope of regulations.
2. Administrator Qualifications & Training – Age 21 minimum, 100-hour training course, competency
exam (80% passing), 24 hours annual continuing education, qualifications, and responsibilities.
3. Resident Rights – Notification of rights, specific rights, prohibition against deprivation, complaint
procedures, non-discrimination, dignity, privacy, visitors, and freedom from restraints.
4. Admission, Retention & Support Planning – Admission criteria, resident-home contracts, support
plans, assessments, discharge, and refunds.
5. Medication Management – Self-administration, assistance vs. administration, medication records,
labeling, storage, and staff training requirements.
6. Staffing Requirements – Direct care staffing hours (1 hour per mobile resident, 2 hours per resident
with mobility needs), 75% waking hours, designee requirements, and staff qualifications.
7. Safety, Physical Site & Quality Management – Fire safety, sanitation, physical accommodations,
quality management plans, reportable incidents, and abuse reporting.
,2
QUESTIONS 1-200
Q1: A candidate has completed the 100-hour DHS-approved personal care
home administrator training course. What minimum score must the candidate
achieve on the competency-based examination to qualify as a PCH
administrator?
A) 70%
B) 75%
C) 80%
D) 90%
Rationale: The correct answer is C because 55 Pa. Code § 2600.64(a)(3) requires
a passing score of 80 or higher on the competency-based examination. Option
A is incorrect because 70% is below the regulatory standard. Option B is
incorrect because 75% is insufficient. Option D is incorrect because 90% exceeds
the minimum requirement.
Q2: What is the minimum age requirement for an individual to serve as a
personal care home administrator in Pennsylvania?
A) 18 years
B) 21 years
C) 25 years
D) 30 years
Rationale: The correct answer is B because 55 Pa. Code § 2600.53(a) requires
administrators to be at least 21 years of age. Option A is incorrect because 18 is
the minimum age for direct care staff, not administrators. Option C is incorrect
because 25 is not a regulatory requirement. Option D is incorrect because 30
exceeds the requirement.
Q3: How many hours of annual continuing education must a personal care
home administrator complete?
A) 12 hours
B) 18 hours
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C) 24 hours
D) 30 hours
Rationale: The correct answer is C because 55 Pa. Code § 2600.64(c) requires at
least 24 hours of annual training relating to job duties. Option A is incorrect
because 12 hours is only the maximum that may be completed online. Option B
is incorrect because 18 hours is insufficient. Option D is incorrect because 30
hours exceeds the requirement.
Q4: A personal care home has a bedroom currently occupied by two residents.
The administrator is considering adding a third resident. Under 55 Pa. Code
Chapter 2600, what is the maximum number of residents permitted per
bedroom?
A) One
B) Two
C) Three
D) Four
Rationale: The correct answer is B because Chapter 2600 specifies no more
than two residents per bedroom to ensure adequate space and privacy. Option
A is incorrect because one is unnecessarily restrictive. Option C is incorrect
because three exceeds the limit. Option D is incorrect because four is far above
the maximum.
Q5: Which regulation governs the operation of personal care homes in
Pennsylvania?
A) 55 Pa. Code Chapter 2800
B) 55 Pa. Code Chapter 2600
C) 55 Pa. Code Chapter 6500
D) 55 Pa. Code Chapter 6100
Rationale: The correct answer is B because Chapter 2600 is the primary
regulatory framework for personal care homes. Option A is incorrect because
Chapter 2800 governs assisted living residences. Option C is incorrect because
Chapter 6500 applies to community homes for individuals with intellectual
disabilities. Option D is incorrect because Chapter 6100 governs waiver services.
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Q6: A resident requiring personal care services must have a written support
plan developed within what timeframe after admission?
A) 7 days
B) 30 days
C) 60 days
D) 90 days
Rationale: The correct answer is B because 55 Pa. Code § 2600.227(a) requires
a written support plan developed and implemented within 30 days of
admission. Option A is incorrect because 7 days is the timeframe for the initial
assessment, not the full support plan. Option C is incorrect because 60 days
exceeds the requirement. Option D is incorrect because 90 days is the
medication self-administration review interval, not the support plan deadline.
Q7: How many hours of personal care services per day must direct care staff be
available to provide to each mobile resident?
A) 0.5 hour
B) 1 hour
C) 1.5 hours
D) 2 hours
Rationale: The correct answer is B because 55 Pa. Code § 2600.57(b) requires at
least 1 hour per day of personal care services to each mobile resident. Option A
is incorrect because 0.5 hour is insufficient. Option C is incorrect because 1.5
hours exceeds the minimum for mobile residents. Option D is incorrect because
2 hours is the requirement for residents with mobility needs.
Q8: How many hours of personal care services per day must direct care staff be
available to provide to each resident who has mobility needs?
A) 1 hour
B) 2 hours
C) 3 hours
D) 4 hours
Rationale: The correct answer is B because 55 Pa. Code § 2600.57(c) requires at
least 2 hours per day of personal care services to each resident with mobility
needs. Option A is incorrect because 1 hour is the requirement for mobile
