ADC – Activity Director Certified
ADC – ACTIVITY DIRECTOR CERTIFIED | EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED ACTIVITY DIRECTOR
CERTIFICATION 2026/2027
NATIONAL ACTIVITY PROFESSIONALS REVIEW SERIES
ADC – ACTIVITY DIRECTOR CERTIFIED
Page 1 of 57
, ADC – Activity Director Certified
1. Which organization grants the Activity Director Certified (ADC)
credential?
A. National Certification Council for Activity Professionals (NCCAP)
B. National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC)
C. American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
D. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
A. National Certification Council for Activity Professionals (NCCAP)
NCCAP credentials activity professionals; NCTRC certifies recreational
therapists.
2. The primary purpose of an activity program in a long-term care
setting is to:
A. Provide entertainment mainly for visiting family members
B. Keep residents occupied so nursing staff can complete care
C. Generate revenue through resident-paid outings
D. Support each resident's physical, mental and psychosocial well-being
through meaningful engagement
D. Support each resident's physical, mental and psychosocial well-
being through meaningful engagement
Activities exist to enhance the resident's well-being and quality of life, not
to serve staff convenience.
Page 2 of 57
, ADC – Activity Director Certified
3. The federal law that established nursing home reform standards,
including requirements for an activity program directed by a qualified
professional, is the:
A. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996
B. Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
C. Older Americans Act of 1965
D. Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (OBRA '87)
D. Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (OBRA '87)
OBRA '87 created the Nursing Home Reform provisions that shape today's
activity requirements.
4. Which credential is earned through NCTRC rather than NCCAP?
A. ACC
B. AAC
C. CTRS
D. ADC
C. CTRS
The Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist credential is issued by
NCTRC.
5. Maintaining NCCAP certification requires the activity professional to:
A. Obtain a state nursing license
B. Work only in skilled nursing facilities
C. Complete required continuing education and renew within the
certification cycle
D. Retake the full certification examination every year
C. Complete required continuing education and renew within the
certification cycle
Certification is kept current through continuing education and timely
renewal.
Page 3 of 57
, ADC – Activity Director Certified
6. Tailoring activities to each person's history, preferences and abilities
is best described as:
A. Custodial care
B. Institutional scheduling
C. Person-centered care
D. Task-oriented care
C. Person-centered care
Person-centered care places the individual's preferences and life story at
the center of planning.
7. The activity professional's primary client is the:
A. Administrator
B. State surveyor
C. Resident
D. Resident's family
C. Resident
Families and administrators matter, but the program exists for the
resident.
8. Which is the best example of a professional networking resource for
an activity director?
A. A resident council meeting
B. A state or national association of activity professionals
C. An interdisciplinary care plan conference
D. The facility's dietary committee
B. A state or national association of activity professionals
Professional associations offer education, peer support and advocacy for
the field.
9. Activity professionals follow a code of ethics primarily to:
A. Reduce department expenses
B. Simplify documentation requirements
C. Protect residents' rights and guide professional conduct
D. Satisfy facility marketing goals
C. Protect residents' rights and guide professional conduct
Ethical codes set standards for integrity, respect and resident protection.
Page 4 of 57
ADC – ACTIVITY DIRECTOR CERTIFIED | EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED ACTIVITY DIRECTOR
CERTIFICATION 2026/2027
NATIONAL ACTIVITY PROFESSIONALS REVIEW SERIES
ADC – ACTIVITY DIRECTOR CERTIFIED
Page 1 of 57
, ADC – Activity Director Certified
1. Which organization grants the Activity Director Certified (ADC)
credential?
A. National Certification Council for Activity Professionals (NCCAP)
B. National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC)
C. American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
D. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
A. National Certification Council for Activity Professionals (NCCAP)
NCCAP credentials activity professionals; NCTRC certifies recreational
therapists.
2. The primary purpose of an activity program in a long-term care
setting is to:
A. Provide entertainment mainly for visiting family members
B. Keep residents occupied so nursing staff can complete care
C. Generate revenue through resident-paid outings
D. Support each resident's physical, mental and psychosocial well-being
through meaningful engagement
D. Support each resident's physical, mental and psychosocial well-
being through meaningful engagement
Activities exist to enhance the resident's well-being and quality of life, not
to serve staff convenience.
Page 2 of 57
, ADC – Activity Director Certified
3. The federal law that established nursing home reform standards,
including requirements for an activity program directed by a qualified
professional, is the:
A. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996
B. Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
C. Older Americans Act of 1965
D. Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (OBRA '87)
D. Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (OBRA '87)
OBRA '87 created the Nursing Home Reform provisions that shape today's
activity requirements.
4. Which credential is earned through NCTRC rather than NCCAP?
A. ACC
B. AAC
C. CTRS
D. ADC
C. CTRS
The Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist credential is issued by
NCTRC.
5. Maintaining NCCAP certification requires the activity professional to:
A. Obtain a state nursing license
B. Work only in skilled nursing facilities
C. Complete required continuing education and renew within the
certification cycle
D. Retake the full certification examination every year
C. Complete required continuing education and renew within the
certification cycle
Certification is kept current through continuing education and timely
renewal.
Page 3 of 57
, ADC – Activity Director Certified
6. Tailoring activities to each person's history, preferences and abilities
is best described as:
A. Custodial care
B. Institutional scheduling
C. Person-centered care
D. Task-oriented care
C. Person-centered care
Person-centered care places the individual's preferences and life story at
the center of planning.
7. The activity professional's primary client is the:
A. Administrator
B. State surveyor
C. Resident
D. Resident's family
C. Resident
Families and administrators matter, but the program exists for the
resident.
8. Which is the best example of a professional networking resource for
an activity director?
A. A resident council meeting
B. A state or national association of activity professionals
C. An interdisciplinary care plan conference
D. The facility's dietary committee
B. A state or national association of activity professionals
Professional associations offer education, peer support and advocacy for
the field.
9. Activity professionals follow a code of ethics primarily to:
A. Reduce department expenses
B. Simplify documentation requirements
C. Protect residents' rights and guide professional conduct
D. Satisfy facility marketing goals
C. Protect residents' rights and guide professional conduct
Ethical codes set standards for integrity, respect and resident protection.
Page 4 of 57
