Wisconsin Nursing Home
Administrators Practice Exam &
Comprehensive Regulatory Analysis
Table of Contents
Section Cognitive Tier Subject Focus Question Range Reference
Standard
PART I N/A Executive N/A Wisconsin DHS
Summary & 132 & NHA 3
Critical Axioms [span_0](start_spa
n)[span_0](end_sp
an)[span_2](start_
span)[span_2](end
_span)
PART II Tier 1 Foundational Questions 1–15 Wisconsin DHS
Syntax & 132 / NHA Codes
Regulatory Limits [span_1](start_spa
n)[span_1](end_sp
an)[span_3](start_
span)[span_3](end
_span)
Tier 2 Complex Questions 16–35 Clinical Staffing &
Application & Resident
Staffing Relocations
Calculations [span_4](start_spa
n)[span_4](end_sp
an)[span_5](start_
span)[span_5](end
_span)
Tier 3 Grandmaster Questions 36–60 Administrative Law
Synthesis & & Fiscal Trust
Operational Systems
Dilemmas [span_6](start_spa
n)[span_6](end_sp
an)[span_7](start_
span)[span_7](end
_span)
,PART I: Executive Summary
Fulfilling the role of a licensed Wisconsin Nursing Home Administrator requires moving past
basic operational awareness to master the strict statutory timelines, clinical staffing thresholds,
and fiscal trust boundaries that govern long-term care administration in the state of Wisconsin.
This reference manual and practice examination are engineered to prepare candidates for
absolute technical compliance with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)
Chapter 132 regulations [span_8](start_span)[span_8](end_span) and Nursing Home
Administrator Examining Board requirements [span_9](start_span)[span_9](end_span).
By focusing on the underlying intent of these administrative codes, candidates transition from
simple memorization to a deep, structural understanding of how state-level mandates protect
resident welfare, establish executive accountability, and minimize organizational liability.
Wisconsin Critical Axioms Cheat Sheet
● DHS 132.41 — Administrative Governance: Every facility must have a licensed
administrator, but operations of 50 beds or less may employ a part-time administrator
present at least 4 hours per day on 5 separate days each week
[span_10](start_span)[span_10](end_span). Contiguous or identical properties may share
a single full-time administrator under strict state guidelines
[span_11](start_span)[span_11](end_span).
● DHS 132.62 — Nursing Services: Nursing services must scale strictly with resident
census and clinical levels [span_34](start_span)[span_34](end_span). A dedicated,
full-time Director of Nursing Services (DON) is required across all skilled care facilities,
and daytime RN charge nurse presence must be maintained continuously for any census
of 60 or more skilled residents
[span_40](start_span)[span_40](end_span)[span_54](start_span)[span_54](end_span).
● DHS 13.05 — Caregiver Misconduct Registry: Allegations of resident abuse, neglect, or
misappropriation of property require immediate internal investigation and must be
reported to the Department within 7 calendar days
[span_68](start_span)[span_68](end_span)[span_76](start_span)[span_76](end_span).
Credentialed professionals must also be reported directly to their respective boards within
the same 7-day window
[span_69](start_span)[span_69](end_span)[span_77](start_span)[span_77](end_span).
● DHS 132.83 — Physical Environment Controls: Hot water temperatures at plumbing
fixtures accessible to and used by residents must be maintained strictly between 110°F
and 115°F
[span_84](start_span)[span_84](end_span)[span_91](start_span)[span_91](end_span).
Any reading of 116°F or higher is cited as a serious scalding hazard and a violation of
state safety codes
[span_85](start_span)[span_85](end_span)[span_92](start_span)[span_92](end_span).
● DHS 132.65 — Pharmaceutical Controls: Medications that are discontinued or left
behind after a resident's discharge or death must be returned for credit or destroyed
within 72 hours by two licensed health professionals
[span_98](start_span)[span_98](end_span)[span_105](start_span)[span_105](end_span).
Schedule II controlled substances are subject to daily proof-of-use audits and carry a
strict 72-hour limit unless supported by a specific physician order not to exceed 60 days
, [span_112](start_span)[span_112](end_span)[span_113](start_span)[span_113](end_spa
n).
PART II: The Practice Exam
Tier 1: Foundational Syntax & Application
Q1: Under Wisconsin Administrative Code NHA 3.02, a licensed nursing home administrator
must complete a minimum of how many approved continuing education (CE) contact hours
during each biennial renewal period? A) 20 contact hours B) 24 contact hours C) 30 contact
hours D) 40 contact hours
● The Answer: B (24 contact hours)
● Distractor Analysis:
○ A is incorrect: The threshold of 20 hours is common in other states but falls below
Wisconsin’s statutory requirement [span_114](start_span)[span_114](end_span).
○ C is incorrect: This exceeds the minimum requirement of 24 contact hours
established by the board
[span_120](start_span)[span_120](end_span)[span_121](start_span)[span_121](en
d_span).
○ D is incorrect: A 40-hour requirement is used in states like Texas but is not the
standard in Wisconsin
[span_122](start_span)[span_122](end_span)[span_123](start_span)[span_123](en
d_span).
The Mentor's Analysis: Under Chapter NHA 3.02(1), Wisconsin mandates 24 contact hours of
approved continuing education per biennium . New
license[span_115](start_span)[span_115](end_span)es are exempt from CE requirements
during the transition from initial licensure to their first full two-year renewal cycle .
Professional/Academic Intuition: Administrators must maintain active verification of 24
NAB-approved CE hours to protect their professional standing before the biennial deadline.
Double-space
Q2: According to the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), what
is the official biennial renewal date for a Nursing Home Administrator credential? A) June 30 of
odd-numbered years B) July 1 of even-numbered years C) June 30 of even-numbered years D)
December 31 of even-numbered years
● The Answer: C (June 30 of even-numbered years)
● Distractor Analysis:
○ A is incorrect: Even-numbered years are the statutory periods for registration
renewal in Wisconsin [span_124](start_span)[span_124](end_span).
○ B is incorrect: July 1 is the start of the new licensure biennium, but the renewal
must be filed and paid on or before June 30
[span_127](start_span)[span_127](end_span)[span_128](start_span)[span_128](en
d_span).
○ D is incorrect: This is a common fiscal year-end date but does not align with the
state's licensing schedule ``.
The Mentor's Analysis: Wisconsin Statute 440.08(2) establishes June 30 of each
even-numbered year as the firm renewal deadline for long-term care administrative credentials
``. Applications received after this date are considered late and carry penalty assessments
Administrators Practice Exam &
Comprehensive Regulatory Analysis
Table of Contents
Section Cognitive Tier Subject Focus Question Range Reference
Standard
PART I N/A Executive N/A Wisconsin DHS
Summary & 132 & NHA 3
Critical Axioms [span_0](start_spa
n)[span_0](end_sp
an)[span_2](start_
span)[span_2](end
_span)
PART II Tier 1 Foundational Questions 1–15 Wisconsin DHS
Syntax & 132 / NHA Codes
Regulatory Limits [span_1](start_spa
n)[span_1](end_sp
an)[span_3](start_
span)[span_3](end
_span)
Tier 2 Complex Questions 16–35 Clinical Staffing &
Application & Resident
Staffing Relocations
Calculations [span_4](start_spa
n)[span_4](end_sp
an)[span_5](start_
span)[span_5](end
_span)
Tier 3 Grandmaster Questions 36–60 Administrative Law
Synthesis & & Fiscal Trust
Operational Systems
Dilemmas [span_6](start_spa
n)[span_6](end_sp
an)[span_7](start_
span)[span_7](end
_span)
,PART I: Executive Summary
Fulfilling the role of a licensed Wisconsin Nursing Home Administrator requires moving past
basic operational awareness to master the strict statutory timelines, clinical staffing thresholds,
and fiscal trust boundaries that govern long-term care administration in the state of Wisconsin.
This reference manual and practice examination are engineered to prepare candidates for
absolute technical compliance with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)
Chapter 132 regulations [span_8](start_span)[span_8](end_span) and Nursing Home
Administrator Examining Board requirements [span_9](start_span)[span_9](end_span).
By focusing on the underlying intent of these administrative codes, candidates transition from
simple memorization to a deep, structural understanding of how state-level mandates protect
resident welfare, establish executive accountability, and minimize organizational liability.
Wisconsin Critical Axioms Cheat Sheet
● DHS 132.41 — Administrative Governance: Every facility must have a licensed
administrator, but operations of 50 beds or less may employ a part-time administrator
present at least 4 hours per day on 5 separate days each week
[span_10](start_span)[span_10](end_span). Contiguous or identical properties may share
a single full-time administrator under strict state guidelines
[span_11](start_span)[span_11](end_span).
● DHS 132.62 — Nursing Services: Nursing services must scale strictly with resident
census and clinical levels [span_34](start_span)[span_34](end_span). A dedicated,
full-time Director of Nursing Services (DON) is required across all skilled care facilities,
and daytime RN charge nurse presence must be maintained continuously for any census
of 60 or more skilled residents
[span_40](start_span)[span_40](end_span)[span_54](start_span)[span_54](end_span).
● DHS 13.05 — Caregiver Misconduct Registry: Allegations of resident abuse, neglect, or
misappropriation of property require immediate internal investigation and must be
reported to the Department within 7 calendar days
[span_68](start_span)[span_68](end_span)[span_76](start_span)[span_76](end_span).
Credentialed professionals must also be reported directly to their respective boards within
the same 7-day window
[span_69](start_span)[span_69](end_span)[span_77](start_span)[span_77](end_span).
● DHS 132.83 — Physical Environment Controls: Hot water temperatures at plumbing
fixtures accessible to and used by residents must be maintained strictly between 110°F
and 115°F
[span_84](start_span)[span_84](end_span)[span_91](start_span)[span_91](end_span).
Any reading of 116°F or higher is cited as a serious scalding hazard and a violation of
state safety codes
[span_85](start_span)[span_85](end_span)[span_92](start_span)[span_92](end_span).
● DHS 132.65 — Pharmaceutical Controls: Medications that are discontinued or left
behind after a resident's discharge or death must be returned for credit or destroyed
within 72 hours by two licensed health professionals
[span_98](start_span)[span_98](end_span)[span_105](start_span)[span_105](end_span).
Schedule II controlled substances are subject to daily proof-of-use audits and carry a
strict 72-hour limit unless supported by a specific physician order not to exceed 60 days
, [span_112](start_span)[span_112](end_span)[span_113](start_span)[span_113](end_spa
n).
PART II: The Practice Exam
Tier 1: Foundational Syntax & Application
Q1: Under Wisconsin Administrative Code NHA 3.02, a licensed nursing home administrator
must complete a minimum of how many approved continuing education (CE) contact hours
during each biennial renewal period? A) 20 contact hours B) 24 contact hours C) 30 contact
hours D) 40 contact hours
● The Answer: B (24 contact hours)
● Distractor Analysis:
○ A is incorrect: The threshold of 20 hours is common in other states but falls below
Wisconsin’s statutory requirement [span_114](start_span)[span_114](end_span).
○ C is incorrect: This exceeds the minimum requirement of 24 contact hours
established by the board
[span_120](start_span)[span_120](end_span)[span_121](start_span)[span_121](en
d_span).
○ D is incorrect: A 40-hour requirement is used in states like Texas but is not the
standard in Wisconsin
[span_122](start_span)[span_122](end_span)[span_123](start_span)[span_123](en
d_span).
The Mentor's Analysis: Under Chapter NHA 3.02(1), Wisconsin mandates 24 contact hours of
approved continuing education per biennium . New
license[span_115](start_span)[span_115](end_span)es are exempt from CE requirements
during the transition from initial licensure to their first full two-year renewal cycle .
Professional/Academic Intuition: Administrators must maintain active verification of 24
NAB-approved CE hours to protect their professional standing before the biennial deadline.
Double-space
Q2: According to the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), what
is the official biennial renewal date for a Nursing Home Administrator credential? A) June 30 of
odd-numbered years B) July 1 of even-numbered years C) June 30 of even-numbered years D)
December 31 of even-numbered years
● The Answer: C (June 30 of even-numbered years)
● Distractor Analysis:
○ A is incorrect: Even-numbered years are the statutory periods for registration
renewal in Wisconsin [span_124](start_span)[span_124](end_span).
○ B is incorrect: July 1 is the start of the new licensure biennium, but the renewal
must be filed and paid on or before June 30
[span_127](start_span)[span_127](end_span)[span_128](start_span)[span_128](en
d_span).
○ D is incorrect: This is a common fiscal year-end date but does not align with the
state's licensing schedule ``.
The Mentor's Analysis: Wisconsin Statute 440.08(2) establishes June 30 of each
even-numbered year as the firm renewal deadline for long-term care administrative credentials
``. Applications received after this date are considered late and carry penalty assessments
