RCA – Indiana State Jurisprudence Test Study Guide
(2026–2027)
Exam: Residential Care Administrator (RCA) Jurisprudence Examination
Administering Board: Indiana State Board of Health Facility Administrators
Governing Statutes: Indiana Code (IC) Title 16, Article 28; IC 25-19
Governing Regulations: 410 IAC 16.2 (RCF Standards); 840 IAC 1 (HFA Licensing Rules)
a comprehensive study guide covering the most frequently tested concepts on the Indiana RCA
Jurisprudence Exam.
PART 1: EXAM OVERVIEW & STRUCTURE
Exam Format
Element Detail
Question Type Multiple-choice and scenario-based (NGN-style)
Passing Score 38 of 50 correct (76%)
Time Limit 90 minutes (for 50-question format)
Number of Attempts Initial attempt + up to 2 additional retakes
Topics Covered 10 statutory domains (see below)
Required Exam Topics (IC 25-19-1-3.2)
An individual who applies to the board for a health facility administrator license must successfully pass a
state jurisprudence examination covering the following topics:
1. Applicable standards of environmental health and safety
2. Local health and safety regulation
3. General administration
, 4. Psychology of patient care
5. Principles of medical care
6. Pharmaceutical services and drug handling
7. Personal and social care
8. Therapeutic and supportive care and services in long-term care
9. Departmental organization and management
10. Community interrelationships
Examination Attempts (IC 25-19-1-3.2)
An applicant who takes the examination and does not achieve a passing score shall be entitled to take it
two additional times . An applicant must successfully pass the licensure examination within one
calendar year from the date of sitting for the exam .
If the applicant takes the examination the maximum number of times and fails to achieve a passing
score, the board may require the applicant to appear before the board and provide evidence of
completing not more than 100 hours of continuing education and/or a new application for an
administrator-in-training program.
PART 2: INDIANA CODE & REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
Primary Regulatory Authority
Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) is the primary regulatory agency responsible for licensing,
inspecting, and enforcing standards for residential care facilities under IC 16-28-2-1.
• The Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) oversees Medicaid waiver programs and
funding but does not hold authority for facility licensing or inspection.
• The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) oversees health profession licensure but not
facility licensing.
Key Statutory Framework
Citation Subject
IC 16-28 Residential care facility licensing and oversight
IC 25-19 Health facility administrator licensing
410 IAC 16.2 Residential Care Facility Standards
,Citation Subject
840 IAC 1 Health Facility Administrator Licensing Rules
Inspection Frequency
Under IC 16-28-2-4 and 410 IAC 16.2, ISDH must inspect each licensed residential care facility at least
once every 15 months to ensure ongoing compliance with state standards.
• The 12-month inspection cycle applies to nursing facilities under federal CMS requirements, not
residential care facilities.
Definition of a Residential Care Facility (RCF)
Under 410 IAC 16.2-4-1, a Residential Care Facility is defined as a facility that provides room, board, and
supportive services to residents who need assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) but do not
require comprehensive nursing care.
• A facility providing 24-hour skilled nursing care is a nursing facility.
• An independent living community with no supportive services is not an RCF.
License Display Requirement
Every individual licensed as an HFA or RCA shall display their current license in a prominent location in
that individual's principal office .
Unlicensed Person Restrictions
A person not licensed as an HFA or RCA shall not use the title "Assistant HF Administrator" or "Assistant
RC Administrator" . An unlicensed person can be called "assistant to the administrator" or
"administrative assistant" .
State Board Composition
The Indiana State Board of Health Facility Administrators is composed of 13 members, including:
1. State health commissioner or designee
2. Director of the Division of Family Resources or designee
3. State long-term care ombudsman or designee
4. Medical professionals and facility administrators
Quorum
The Board requires a quorum to conduct official business.
PART 3: LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS & ADMINISTRATOR QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Age Requirement
, An applicant for licensure as a Health Facility Administrator or Residential Care Administrator must be at
least 18 years of age, of good moral character, and of sound physical and mental health .
Provisional License (IC 25-19-1-3.3)
• The board may issue a provisional license for a single period not to exceed 6 months for the
purpose of enabling a qualified individual to fill a health facility administrator position that has
been unexpectedly vacated.
• Requirements: at least 2 years of administrative experience in a licensed health facility or
residential care facility .
Out-of-State License Holders
A person holding an HFA or RCA in another state may be issued a temporary license but must take and
pass the jurisprudence exam within 90 days.
Licensure by Endorsement
Applicants for licensure by endorsement as an HFA may request that the board consider previous
experience to satisfy some of the AIT requirements .
Educational and AIT requirements may be satisfied by 2 years of active work experience as a licensed
HFA in another state .
Previous experience that may satisfy AIT requirements includes:
1. One year of active work experience as a licensed HFA
2. Completion of a training program determined to be equivalent to the AIT requirements of this
state
3. Completion of residency internship as part of a degree requirement
4. One year of active work experience as a chief executive officer or chief operations officer in a
hospital
5. A master's degree in health care administration and six months work experience as a licensed
HFA in another state
PART 4: AIT PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
AIT Program Requirements
• An AIT seeking licensure as an RCA is required to complete not less than 80 hours of training
program in a licensed comprehensive care facility .
• The AIT seeking licensure as an HFA or RCA shall file an AIT application with the board and be
approved prior to starting the internship program .
• AIT participants must serve as an AIT a minimum of 20 hours per week, but not more than 10
hours daily.
(2026–2027)
Exam: Residential Care Administrator (RCA) Jurisprudence Examination
Administering Board: Indiana State Board of Health Facility Administrators
Governing Statutes: Indiana Code (IC) Title 16, Article 28; IC 25-19
Governing Regulations: 410 IAC 16.2 (RCF Standards); 840 IAC 1 (HFA Licensing Rules)
a comprehensive study guide covering the most frequently tested concepts on the Indiana RCA
Jurisprudence Exam.
PART 1: EXAM OVERVIEW & STRUCTURE
Exam Format
Element Detail
Question Type Multiple-choice and scenario-based (NGN-style)
Passing Score 38 of 50 correct (76%)
Time Limit 90 minutes (for 50-question format)
Number of Attempts Initial attempt + up to 2 additional retakes
Topics Covered 10 statutory domains (see below)
Required Exam Topics (IC 25-19-1-3.2)
An individual who applies to the board for a health facility administrator license must successfully pass a
state jurisprudence examination covering the following topics:
1. Applicable standards of environmental health and safety
2. Local health and safety regulation
3. General administration
, 4. Psychology of patient care
5. Principles of medical care
6. Pharmaceutical services and drug handling
7. Personal and social care
8. Therapeutic and supportive care and services in long-term care
9. Departmental organization and management
10. Community interrelationships
Examination Attempts (IC 25-19-1-3.2)
An applicant who takes the examination and does not achieve a passing score shall be entitled to take it
two additional times . An applicant must successfully pass the licensure examination within one
calendar year from the date of sitting for the exam .
If the applicant takes the examination the maximum number of times and fails to achieve a passing
score, the board may require the applicant to appear before the board and provide evidence of
completing not more than 100 hours of continuing education and/or a new application for an
administrator-in-training program.
PART 2: INDIANA CODE & REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
Primary Regulatory Authority
Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) is the primary regulatory agency responsible for licensing,
inspecting, and enforcing standards for residential care facilities under IC 16-28-2-1.
• The Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) oversees Medicaid waiver programs and
funding but does not hold authority for facility licensing or inspection.
• The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) oversees health profession licensure but not
facility licensing.
Key Statutory Framework
Citation Subject
IC 16-28 Residential care facility licensing and oversight
IC 25-19 Health facility administrator licensing
410 IAC 16.2 Residential Care Facility Standards
,Citation Subject
840 IAC 1 Health Facility Administrator Licensing Rules
Inspection Frequency
Under IC 16-28-2-4 and 410 IAC 16.2, ISDH must inspect each licensed residential care facility at least
once every 15 months to ensure ongoing compliance with state standards.
• The 12-month inspection cycle applies to nursing facilities under federal CMS requirements, not
residential care facilities.
Definition of a Residential Care Facility (RCF)
Under 410 IAC 16.2-4-1, a Residential Care Facility is defined as a facility that provides room, board, and
supportive services to residents who need assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) but do not
require comprehensive nursing care.
• A facility providing 24-hour skilled nursing care is a nursing facility.
• An independent living community with no supportive services is not an RCF.
License Display Requirement
Every individual licensed as an HFA or RCA shall display their current license in a prominent location in
that individual's principal office .
Unlicensed Person Restrictions
A person not licensed as an HFA or RCA shall not use the title "Assistant HF Administrator" or "Assistant
RC Administrator" . An unlicensed person can be called "assistant to the administrator" or
"administrative assistant" .
State Board Composition
The Indiana State Board of Health Facility Administrators is composed of 13 members, including:
1. State health commissioner or designee
2. Director of the Division of Family Resources or designee
3. State long-term care ombudsman or designee
4. Medical professionals and facility administrators
Quorum
The Board requires a quorum to conduct official business.
PART 3: LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS & ADMINISTRATOR QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Age Requirement
, An applicant for licensure as a Health Facility Administrator or Residential Care Administrator must be at
least 18 years of age, of good moral character, and of sound physical and mental health .
Provisional License (IC 25-19-1-3.3)
• The board may issue a provisional license for a single period not to exceed 6 months for the
purpose of enabling a qualified individual to fill a health facility administrator position that has
been unexpectedly vacated.
• Requirements: at least 2 years of administrative experience in a licensed health facility or
residential care facility .
Out-of-State License Holders
A person holding an HFA or RCA in another state may be issued a temporary license but must take and
pass the jurisprudence exam within 90 days.
Licensure by Endorsement
Applicants for licensure by endorsement as an HFA may request that the board consider previous
experience to satisfy some of the AIT requirements .
Educational and AIT requirements may be satisfied by 2 years of active work experience as a licensed
HFA in another state .
Previous experience that may satisfy AIT requirements includes:
1. One year of active work experience as a licensed HFA
2. Completion of a training program determined to be equivalent to the AIT requirements of this
state
3. Completion of residency internship as part of a degree requirement
4. One year of active work experience as a chief executive officer or chief operations officer in a
hospital
5. A master's degree in health care administration and six months work experience as a licensed
HFA in another state
PART 4: AIT PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
AIT Program Requirements
• An AIT seeking licensure as an RCA is required to complete not less than 80 hours of training
program in a licensed comprehensive care facility .
• The AIT seeking licensure as an HFA or RCA shall file an AIT application with the board and be
approved prior to starting the internship program .
• AIT participants must serve as an AIT a minimum of 20 hours per week, but not more than 10
hours daily.
