California ARF Administrator
Certification Exam: Study Guide &
Practice Questions
Exam Overview
The California Adult Residential Facility (ARF) Administrator
Certification Exam is administered by the California Department of
Social Services (CDSS) through the Administrator Certification
Bureau. The exam covers Title 22, Division 6, Chapter 6 regulations
and is required for certification to manage ARFs.
Exam Detail Specification
100 multiple-choice (varies;
Total Questions
some sources cite 75)
Time Allowed 90 minutes
Passing Score 70% or higher
Format Open-book
CDSS Community Care Licensing
Governing Agency
Division (CCLD)
CCR Title 22, Division 6, Chapter
Primary Reference
6
,SECTION 1: Administrator Certification
Requirements
Question 1: Minimum Age
What is the minimum age requirement to serve as an ARF
administrator in California?
A. 18 years old
B. 21 years old
C. 25 years old
D. 30 years old
🟢 Correct Answer: B. 21 years old
🔴 RATIONALE: According to Title 22, Sections 85064(c) and
85964.2(B)(3)(b), an ARF administrator shall be at least 21 years
old. This age requirement ensures maturity and life experience for
managing residential care facilities. Note: While administrators
must be 21, other facility staff may be 18 years old.
Question 2: Education Requirements by Facility
Size
An individual wishes to serve as administrator of a 6-bed ARF.
What is the minimum education requirement?
A. Associate's degree
B. High school diploma or GED
,C. Bachelor's degree
D. No formal education required
🟢 Correct Answer: B. High school diploma or GED
🔴 RATIONALE: For facilities with 1-15 beds, the administrator
must have at least a high school diploma or GED per Title 22,
Section 85064(d). Higher education or experience requirements
apply to larger facilities: 16-49 beds requires 15 college units or 1
year experience; 50+ beds requires 60 units or 4 years experience.
Question 3: Administrator Requirements for 50+
Bed Facility
An ARF certificate holder who wants to administer a home for
50 residents shall meet what requirements prior to
employment?
A. High school diploma or GED only
B. Bachelor's degree in social work
C. High school diploma or GED and completion of 60 college units
OR 4 years of work experience in residential care
D. Master's degree in healthcare administration
🟢 Correct Answer: C. High school diploma or GED and
completion of 60 college units OR 4 years of work experience in
residential care
🔴 RATIONALE: Per Title 22, Section 85064(i)(1)(2), administrators
of facilities with 50 or more residents must have a high school
diploma or GED AND either 60 college units OR 4 years of work
experience in residential care. This ensures administrators of
, larger facilities have sufficient educational background or practical
experience.
Question 4: Work Hours Requirement
How many hours per week must an administrator be available
to work in each care home they administer?
A. 20 hours per week
B. 30 hours per week
C. 40 hours per week
D. The number of hours necessary to manage and administer the
facility in compliance with applicable law and regulation
🟢 Correct Answer: D. The number of hours necessary to
manage and administer the facility in compliance with
applicable law and regulation
🔴 RATIONALE: Per Title 22, Section 85064(d)(1), the regulation
does not prescribe a fixed number of hours. Administrators must
be present as many hours as necessary to ensure full compliance
with all applicable laws and regulations. This flexible standard
recognizes that different facilities have different management
needs.
Question 5: Administrator Absence Coverage
When an administrator is absent from the facility, what are the
coverage requirements?
Certification Exam: Study Guide &
Practice Questions
Exam Overview
The California Adult Residential Facility (ARF) Administrator
Certification Exam is administered by the California Department of
Social Services (CDSS) through the Administrator Certification
Bureau. The exam covers Title 22, Division 6, Chapter 6 regulations
and is required for certification to manage ARFs.
Exam Detail Specification
100 multiple-choice (varies;
Total Questions
some sources cite 75)
Time Allowed 90 minutes
Passing Score 70% or higher
Format Open-book
CDSS Community Care Licensing
Governing Agency
Division (CCLD)
CCR Title 22, Division 6, Chapter
Primary Reference
6
,SECTION 1: Administrator Certification
Requirements
Question 1: Minimum Age
What is the minimum age requirement to serve as an ARF
administrator in California?
A. 18 years old
B. 21 years old
C. 25 years old
D. 30 years old
🟢 Correct Answer: B. 21 years old
🔴 RATIONALE: According to Title 22, Sections 85064(c) and
85964.2(B)(3)(b), an ARF administrator shall be at least 21 years
old. This age requirement ensures maturity and life experience for
managing residential care facilities. Note: While administrators
must be 21, other facility staff may be 18 years old.
Question 2: Education Requirements by Facility
Size
An individual wishes to serve as administrator of a 6-bed ARF.
What is the minimum education requirement?
A. Associate's degree
B. High school diploma or GED
,C. Bachelor's degree
D. No formal education required
🟢 Correct Answer: B. High school diploma or GED
🔴 RATIONALE: For facilities with 1-15 beds, the administrator
must have at least a high school diploma or GED per Title 22,
Section 85064(d). Higher education or experience requirements
apply to larger facilities: 16-49 beds requires 15 college units or 1
year experience; 50+ beds requires 60 units or 4 years experience.
Question 3: Administrator Requirements for 50+
Bed Facility
An ARF certificate holder who wants to administer a home for
50 residents shall meet what requirements prior to
employment?
A. High school diploma or GED only
B. Bachelor's degree in social work
C. High school diploma or GED and completion of 60 college units
OR 4 years of work experience in residential care
D. Master's degree in healthcare administration
🟢 Correct Answer: C. High school diploma or GED and
completion of 60 college units OR 4 years of work experience in
residential care
🔴 RATIONALE: Per Title 22, Section 85064(i)(1)(2), administrators
of facilities with 50 or more residents must have a high school
diploma or GED AND either 60 college units OR 4 years of work
experience in residential care. This ensures administrators of
, larger facilities have sufficient educational background or practical
experience.
Question 4: Work Hours Requirement
How many hours per week must an administrator be available
to work in each care home they administer?
A. 20 hours per week
B. 30 hours per week
C. 40 hours per week
D. The number of hours necessary to manage and administer the
facility in compliance with applicable law and regulation
🟢 Correct Answer: D. The number of hours necessary to
manage and administer the facility in compliance with
applicable law and regulation
🔴 RATIONALE: Per Title 22, Section 85064(d)(1), the regulation
does not prescribe a fixed number of hours. Administrators must
be present as many hours as necessary to ensure full compliance
with all applicable laws and regulations. This flexible standard
recognizes that different facilities have different management
needs.
Question 5: Administrator Absence Coverage
When an administrator is absent from the facility, what are the
coverage requirements?
