FLORIDA ALF CORE
COMPETENCY TEST
100 Practice Questions • Answer Key • Rationales
2026 EDITION
Designed for independent study
Licensing and administration • Resident rights • Abuse reporting • Admission and discharge • Records •
Food service • Medication assistance • Personal care • Dementia and special populations • Fire safety and
emergency planning
Important accuracy note
This is an independent study aid containing original practice questions. It is not an official AHCA, MacDonald Research Institute, or
state answer key, and it does not reproduce actual confidential exam items. “Correct answers” means the answer supported by the
cited statutes, rules, or generally accepted ALF practice as applicable; verify changing requirements in current official sources.
Exam program note: Florida’s ALF Core Competency Test is described by the official testing provider linked from AHCA. Do not
assume it is a Pearson VUE exam.
Prepared October 22, 2026
Use current Florida Statutes, Florida Administrative Code, AHCA guidance, and provider instructions as the controlling references.
, How to Use This Practice Set
Suggested practice method: complete all 100 questions before opening the answer key. Select the single best answer for each
item. Mark uncertain items, then read the rationales and revisit the official references. This is a broad review packet, not an official
simulation of the test provider’s question count, weighting, timing, or scoring.
High-yield official requirements to remember
• Core training: minimum 26 hours plus the competency test under Rule 59A-36.011.
• Passing score: generally 75% under the rule; review current provider instructions before test day.
• Administrator core training/test: complete within 90 days after employment as administrator, subject to statutory exemptions.
• Continuing education: administrators generally complete at least 12 contact hours every two years.
• Medication assistance: unlicensed staff must complete the prescribed training before assuming the role; Florida law specifies a
minimum six-hour course from an RN or licensed pharmacist and annual continuing education thereafter.
• Required topics include ALF law/rules, resident rights and abuse reporting, special needs, nutrition, medication
assistance/records, fire and emergency safety, and Alzheimer’s-related care.
Florida ALF Core Competency - Independent Practice Exam (2026) Page 2
, Blank Answer Sheet
Write A, B, C, or D for each question. Leave blank items you want to revisit.
1. ______ 2. ______ 3. ______ 4. ______
5. ______ 6. ______ 7. ______ 8. ______
9. ______ 10. ______ 11. ______ 12. ______
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97. ______ 98. ______ 99. ______ 100. ______
Florida ALF Core Competency - Independent Practice Exam (2026) Page 3
, PART I - PRACTICE EXAM
1. General License Activity and Regulatory Framework
1. Which Florida agency is principally responsible for licensing and regulating assisted living facilities (ALFs)?
A. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
B. The Florida Department of State alone.
C. The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA).
D. The Florida Department of Revenue.
2. What is the basic purpose of an assisted living facility?
A. To serve exclusively as a temporary emergency shelter.
B. To provide housing, personal care, and supportive services in a home-like setting for people who need assistance with daily living.
C. To function as a hospital providing acute inpatient treatment.
D. To provide only skilled nursing and rehabilitation to every resident.
3. What does an ALF standard license generally authorize?
A. Every service allowed in a nursing home without additional requirements.
B. Routine personal care services permitted under the standard ALF rules.
C. Unlimited skilled nursing services at all times.
D. Automatic operation as an Alzheimer’s specialty facility.
4. Why would an ALF seek a specialty license such as ECC, LNS, or LMH?
A. To provide additional, specifically regulated services to eligible residents under the applicable specialty requirements.
B. To increase licensed capacity without authorization.
C. To avoid keeping resident records.
D. To avoid inspection by AHCA.
5. A facility is licensed for 48 residents but has 51 residents living there. What is the central compliance concern?
A. It is automatically allowed if all residents agree.
B. The facility may be exceeding its licensed capacity and must address the situation under applicable requirements.
C. Capacity applies only to residents who pay privately.
D. Capacity is merely a recommendation when staffing is adequate.
6. Before advertising that an ALF offers a specialty service, what should management verify?
A. That the wording is not longer than one sentence.
B. That a competitor advertises the same service.
C. That the service is profitable.
D. That the facility holds the required license or authorization and can meet the related requirements.
7. A facility owner plans to change ownership. Which approach is best?
A. Change the facility name and continue without notifying AHCA.
B. Contact AHCA and complete the applicable change-of-ownership licensing process before operating under the new ownership.
C. Notify only the residents’ families and no regulator.
D. Assume the existing license always transfers automatically.
Florida ALF Core Competency - Independent Practice Exam (2026) Page 4
COMPETENCY TEST
100 Practice Questions • Answer Key • Rationales
2026 EDITION
Designed for independent study
Licensing and administration • Resident rights • Abuse reporting • Admission and discharge • Records •
Food service • Medication assistance • Personal care • Dementia and special populations • Fire safety and
emergency planning
Important accuracy note
This is an independent study aid containing original practice questions. It is not an official AHCA, MacDonald Research Institute, or
state answer key, and it does not reproduce actual confidential exam items. “Correct answers” means the answer supported by the
cited statutes, rules, or generally accepted ALF practice as applicable; verify changing requirements in current official sources.
Exam program note: Florida’s ALF Core Competency Test is described by the official testing provider linked from AHCA. Do not
assume it is a Pearson VUE exam.
Prepared October 22, 2026
Use current Florida Statutes, Florida Administrative Code, AHCA guidance, and provider instructions as the controlling references.
, How to Use This Practice Set
Suggested practice method: complete all 100 questions before opening the answer key. Select the single best answer for each
item. Mark uncertain items, then read the rationales and revisit the official references. This is a broad review packet, not an official
simulation of the test provider’s question count, weighting, timing, or scoring.
High-yield official requirements to remember
• Core training: minimum 26 hours plus the competency test under Rule 59A-36.011.
• Passing score: generally 75% under the rule; review current provider instructions before test day.
• Administrator core training/test: complete within 90 days after employment as administrator, subject to statutory exemptions.
• Continuing education: administrators generally complete at least 12 contact hours every two years.
• Medication assistance: unlicensed staff must complete the prescribed training before assuming the role; Florida law specifies a
minimum six-hour course from an RN or licensed pharmacist and annual continuing education thereafter.
• Required topics include ALF law/rules, resident rights and abuse reporting, special needs, nutrition, medication
assistance/records, fire and emergency safety, and Alzheimer’s-related care.
Florida ALF Core Competency - Independent Practice Exam (2026) Page 2
, Blank Answer Sheet
Write A, B, C, or D for each question. Leave blank items you want to revisit.
1. ______ 2. ______ 3. ______ 4. ______
5. ______ 6. ______ 7. ______ 8. ______
9. ______ 10. ______ 11. ______ 12. ______
13. ______ 14. ______ 15. ______ 16. ______
17. ______ 18. ______ 19. ______ 20. ______
21. ______ 22. ______ 23. ______ 24. ______
25. ______ 26. ______ 27. ______ 28. ______
29. ______ 30. ______ 31. ______ 32. ______
33. ______ 34. ______ 35. ______ 36. ______
37. ______ 38. ______ 39. ______ 40. ______
41. ______ 42. ______ 43. ______ 44. ______
45. ______ 46. ______ 47. ______ 48. ______
49. ______ 50. ______ 51. ______ 52. ______
53. ______ 54. ______ 55. ______ 56. ______
57. ______ 58. ______ 59. ______ 60. ______
61. ______ 62. ______ 63. ______ 64. ______
65. ______ 66. ______ 67. ______ 68. ______
69. ______ 70. ______ 71. ______ 72. ______
73. ______ 74. ______ 75. ______ 76. ______
77. ______ 78. ______ 79. ______ 80. ______
81. ______ 82. ______ 83. ______ 84. ______
85. ______ 86. ______ 87. ______ 88. ______
89. ______ 90. ______ 91. ______ 92. ______
93. ______ 94. ______ 95. ______ 96. ______
97. ______ 98. ______ 99. ______ 100. ______
Florida ALF Core Competency - Independent Practice Exam (2026) Page 3
, PART I - PRACTICE EXAM
1. General License Activity and Regulatory Framework
1. Which Florida agency is principally responsible for licensing and regulating assisted living facilities (ALFs)?
A. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
B. The Florida Department of State alone.
C. The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA).
D. The Florida Department of Revenue.
2. What is the basic purpose of an assisted living facility?
A. To serve exclusively as a temporary emergency shelter.
B. To provide housing, personal care, and supportive services in a home-like setting for people who need assistance with daily living.
C. To function as a hospital providing acute inpatient treatment.
D. To provide only skilled nursing and rehabilitation to every resident.
3. What does an ALF standard license generally authorize?
A. Every service allowed in a nursing home without additional requirements.
B. Routine personal care services permitted under the standard ALF rules.
C. Unlimited skilled nursing services at all times.
D. Automatic operation as an Alzheimer’s specialty facility.
4. Why would an ALF seek a specialty license such as ECC, LNS, or LMH?
A. To provide additional, specifically regulated services to eligible residents under the applicable specialty requirements.
B. To increase licensed capacity without authorization.
C. To avoid keeping resident records.
D. To avoid inspection by AHCA.
5. A facility is licensed for 48 residents but has 51 residents living there. What is the central compliance concern?
A. It is automatically allowed if all residents agree.
B. The facility may be exceeding its licensed capacity and must address the situation under applicable requirements.
C. Capacity applies only to residents who pay privately.
D. Capacity is merely a recommendation when staffing is adequate.
6. Before advertising that an ALF offers a specialty service, what should management verify?
A. That the wording is not longer than one sentence.
B. That a competitor advertises the same service.
C. That the service is profitable.
D. That the facility holds the required license or authorization and can meet the related requirements.
7. A facility owner plans to change ownership. Which approach is best?
A. Change the facility name and continue without notifying AHCA.
B. Contact AHCA and complete the applicable change-of-ownership licensing process before operating under the new ownership.
C. Notify only the residents’ families and no regulator.
D. Assume the existing license always transfers automatically.
Florida ALF Core Competency - Independent Practice Exam (2026) Page 4
