RCFE CERTIFICATION EXAM 2025 –
REAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Table of Contents
• Regulations and Licensing
• Resident Rights
• Admission and Retention
• Medication Management
• Staff Requirements and Training
• Facility Operations
• Resident Care and Services
• Nutrition and Food Service
• Emergency Preparedness
• Dementia Care
• Documentation and Record Keeping
• Legal and Ethical Issues
300 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. What is the primary regulatory document governing RCFEs in
California?
Answer: Title 22, Division 6, Chapter 8 of the California Code of Regulations
2. Which agency is responsible for licensing RCFEs in California?
Answer: California Department of Social Services (CDSS), Community Care
Licensing Division (CCLD)
3. What is the minimum age requirement for residents in an RCFE?
,Answer: 60 years of age or older (with some exceptions for younger adults with
compatible needs)
4. How often are routine RCFE facility inspections conducted?
Answer: At least once every two years
5. What is the purpose of a Plan of Operation for an RCFE?
Answer: To describe the facility's program components, policies, and
procedures that will be used to meet regulatory requirements and the needs of
residents
6. What is the penalty for operating an unlicensed RCFE?
Answer: Civil penalties of $200 per day for operating without a license
7. How long is an RCFE license valid?
Answer: Indefinitely, unless suspended or revoked
8. What document outlines the agreed-upon services between an RCFE and
a resident?
Answer: Admission Agreement
9. What is a Type A deficiency in RCFE licensing?
Answer: A violation that presents an immediate risk to health, safety, or
personal rights of residents
10. What is required to increase the capacity of an existing RCFE?
Answer: Submit an application for capacity increase to CCLD and undergo
facility evaluation
11. What is the fee structure for licensing an RCFE based on?
Answer: The facility's capacity (number of beds)
12. What is the minimum square footage required for a single-occupancy
bedroom in an RCFE?
Answer: 100 square feet
,13. What is the minimum square footage required for a double-occupancy
bedroom in an RCFE?
Answer: 200 square feet
14. What is the maximum number of residents allowed to share a bedroom
in an RCFE?
Answer: Two residents, unless a facility was previously licensed with a
different capacity
15. What form must be submitted to CCLD when there is a change in
facility administrator?
Answer: LIC 9054 - Notification of Change of Administrator
16. What is the purpose of the Pre-Licensing Visit?
Answer: To verify the facility's compliance with regulations before issuing a
license
17. What is a Program Flexibility request?
Answer: A request for an alternative method of compliance with a specific
regulation
18. How many hours notice must be given before a Community Care
Licensing analyst conducts an unannounced inspection?
Answer: No notice is required for unannounced inspections
19. What is the purpose of the Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly
Act?
Answer: To establish a separate category of licensed community care facilities
for elderly persons and establish standards for RCFE care
20. What is the difference between an RCFE and a Skilled Nursing Facility
(SNF)?
Answer: RCFEs provide non-medical care and supervision, while SNFs
provide medical/nursing care under the supervision of medical professionals
21. What is required to be posted at an RCFE facility?
, Answer: License, resident rights poster, inspection reports, complaint
procedures, and emergency procedures
22. What type of waiver is needed for an RCFE to accept a bedridden
resident?
Answer: Bedridden resident waiver
23. What is the Centralized Application Unit (CAU)?
Answer: The CDSS unit that processes initial applications for RCFE licenses
24. What are the three types of deficiencies cited during RCFE inspections?
Answer: Type A (immediate risk), Type B (potential risk), and Technical (no
direct risk)
25. What form is used to report unusual incidents or injuries to CCLD?
Answer: LIC 624B - Unusual Incident/Injury Report
Resident Rights
26. What law provides specific rights to residents in RCFEs?
Answer: The RCFE Residents' Bill of Rights
27. Do RCFE residents have the right to receive visitors?
Answer: Yes, residents have the right to receive visitors privately at any time
28. Can an RCFE restrict a resident's mail?
Answer: No, residents have the right to receive unopened correspondence
29. What is the residents' right regarding participation in their own care?
Answer: Residents have the right to participate in developing their care plan
and making decisions about their care
30. Can RCFEs require that residents perform services for the facility?
Answer: No, residents cannot be required to perform services for the facility
31. Do residents have the right to manage their own finances?
REAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Table of Contents
• Regulations and Licensing
• Resident Rights
• Admission and Retention
• Medication Management
• Staff Requirements and Training
• Facility Operations
• Resident Care and Services
• Nutrition and Food Service
• Emergency Preparedness
• Dementia Care
• Documentation and Record Keeping
• Legal and Ethical Issues
300 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. What is the primary regulatory document governing RCFEs in
California?
Answer: Title 22, Division 6, Chapter 8 of the California Code of Regulations
2. Which agency is responsible for licensing RCFEs in California?
Answer: California Department of Social Services (CDSS), Community Care
Licensing Division (CCLD)
3. What is the minimum age requirement for residents in an RCFE?
,Answer: 60 years of age or older (with some exceptions for younger adults with
compatible needs)
4. How often are routine RCFE facility inspections conducted?
Answer: At least once every two years
5. What is the purpose of a Plan of Operation for an RCFE?
Answer: To describe the facility's program components, policies, and
procedures that will be used to meet regulatory requirements and the needs of
residents
6. What is the penalty for operating an unlicensed RCFE?
Answer: Civil penalties of $200 per day for operating without a license
7. How long is an RCFE license valid?
Answer: Indefinitely, unless suspended or revoked
8. What document outlines the agreed-upon services between an RCFE and
a resident?
Answer: Admission Agreement
9. What is a Type A deficiency in RCFE licensing?
Answer: A violation that presents an immediate risk to health, safety, or
personal rights of residents
10. What is required to increase the capacity of an existing RCFE?
Answer: Submit an application for capacity increase to CCLD and undergo
facility evaluation
11. What is the fee structure for licensing an RCFE based on?
Answer: The facility's capacity (number of beds)
12. What is the minimum square footage required for a single-occupancy
bedroom in an RCFE?
Answer: 100 square feet
,13. What is the minimum square footage required for a double-occupancy
bedroom in an RCFE?
Answer: 200 square feet
14. What is the maximum number of residents allowed to share a bedroom
in an RCFE?
Answer: Two residents, unless a facility was previously licensed with a
different capacity
15. What form must be submitted to CCLD when there is a change in
facility administrator?
Answer: LIC 9054 - Notification of Change of Administrator
16. What is the purpose of the Pre-Licensing Visit?
Answer: To verify the facility's compliance with regulations before issuing a
license
17. What is a Program Flexibility request?
Answer: A request for an alternative method of compliance with a specific
regulation
18. How many hours notice must be given before a Community Care
Licensing analyst conducts an unannounced inspection?
Answer: No notice is required for unannounced inspections
19. What is the purpose of the Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly
Act?
Answer: To establish a separate category of licensed community care facilities
for elderly persons and establish standards for RCFE care
20. What is the difference between an RCFE and a Skilled Nursing Facility
(SNF)?
Answer: RCFEs provide non-medical care and supervision, while SNFs
provide medical/nursing care under the supervision of medical professionals
21. What is required to be posted at an RCFE facility?
, Answer: License, resident rights poster, inspection reports, complaint
procedures, and emergency procedures
22. What type of waiver is needed for an RCFE to accept a bedridden
resident?
Answer: Bedridden resident waiver
23. What is the Centralized Application Unit (CAU)?
Answer: The CDSS unit that processes initial applications for RCFE licenses
24. What are the three types of deficiencies cited during RCFE inspections?
Answer: Type A (immediate risk), Type B (potential risk), and Technical (no
direct risk)
25. What form is used to report unusual incidents or injuries to CCLD?
Answer: LIC 624B - Unusual Incident/Injury Report
Resident Rights
26. What law provides specific rights to residents in RCFEs?
Answer: The RCFE Residents' Bill of Rights
27. Do RCFE residents have the right to receive visitors?
Answer: Yes, residents have the right to receive visitors privately at any time
28. Can an RCFE restrict a resident's mail?
Answer: No, residents have the right to receive unopened correspondence
29. What is the residents' right regarding participation in their own care?
Answer: Residents have the right to participate in developing their care plan
and making decisions about their care
30. Can RCFEs require that residents perform services for the facility?
Answer: No, residents cannot be required to perform services for the facility
31. Do residents have the right to manage their own finances?
