New Jersey Certified Assisted Living
Administrator (CALA) Comprehensive Practice
Examination – 2026 Update TOTAL QUESTIONS:
150
Section 1: Legal & Regulatory Framework (Questions 1–25)
Question 1
Which New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C.) section contains the primary licensing
standards for Assisted Living Residences (ALR)?
A) 8:30
B) 8:36
C) 9:10
D) 10:05
ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: N.J.A.C. 8:36 sets the specific licensing, operational, and safety standards for
ALRs in New Jersey.
Question 2
Under NJ law, how many business days does a facility have to submit a Plan of Correction
(POC) after receiving a Statement of Deficiencies from the Department of Health?
A) 5 days
B) 10 days
C) 15 days
D) 30 days
ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The Department of Health requires the Plan of Correction be submitted within 10
business days of receiving the inspection report.
Question 3
Which of the following events is classified as a “reportable event” that must be reported to the
NJ Department of Health within 72 hours?
A) Minor resident fall with no injury
B) Resident complaint about food quality
C) Fire in a resident’s room
D) Routine medication change approved by RN
ANSWER: C
,RATIONALE: Fires, along with abuse, neglect, or significant equipment failures, are reportable
events requiring immediate notification and written follow‑up within 72 hours.
Question 4
What are the minimum qualifications to be an administrator of an assisted living residence in
New Jersey? (Select all that apply)
A) At least 21 years of age
B) Possess a high school diploma or equivalent
C) Hold a current NJ license as a nursing home administrator OR a current NJ certification as
an assisted living administrator
D) A bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration
ANSWER: A, B, C
RATIONALE: N.J.A.C. 8:36-3.2(a) requires the administrator to be at least 21, possess a high
school diploma (or equivalent), and hold either an LNHA license or a CALA certification. A
bachelor’s degree is not a requirement for certification.
Question 5
Which office serves as the state ombudsman for assisted‑living residents in New Jersey?
A) Bureau of Licensing and Certification
B) Office of the Bureau of Integrity and Accountability
C) Department of Health Enforcement Unit
D) Division of Consumer Affairs
ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The Office of the Bureau of Integrity and Accountability acts as the state
ombudsman, serving as an advocate for residents and receiving complaints.
Question 6
How long is a CALA certificate valid before it must be renewed?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: N.J.A.C. 8:36-3.2(g) states that an assisted living administrator certification shall
be valid for a period of three years from the date of issue.
Question 7
If a certified assisted living administrator fails to fulfill the renewal requirements (including
CEUs), what happens to their certificate?
A) It becomes invalid immediately
B) It will be considered inactive
,C) It is automatically revoked
D) A grace period of six months is granted
ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: According to N.J.A.C. 8:36-3.2(j), failure to fulfill renewal requirements will result in
the certificate being considered inactive.
Question 8
An ALR resident has a personal needs allowance check from a government agency. Within how
many hours of the administrator receiving the check must it be given to the resident?
A) 24 hours
B) 48 hours
C) 72 hours
D) 7 days
ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Regulations require that each resident receive his or her personal needs
allowance within 72 hours of the receipt of the check by the administrator.
Question 9
After failing the competency examination for the first time, what is required before an applicant
can re-take the exam?
A) A waiting period of 90 days
B) Submission of a new application and fee
C) The applicant shall be permitted to sit for re-examination
D) Completion of an additional 40 hours of training
ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Following a first examination failure, an applicant shall be permitted to sit for
re-examination without any additional training requirements.
Question 10
If an applicant fails the competency examination a second time, what is required before they
can take it again?
A) An appeal to the Board of Health
B) A 30-hour continuing education course
C) Re-take and successfully complete an assisted living training course
D) A one-year waiting period
ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Following a second examination failure, the applicant shall be required to re-take,
and successfully complete, an assisted living training course approved by the Department.
Question 11
, According to N.J.A.C. 8:36, what is the required width for passageways and hallways in an
ALR? (Based on typical physical plant standards)
A) 30 inches
B) 36 inches
C) 40 inches
D) 48 inches
ANSWER: C (40 inches)
RATIONALE: The regulation requires a minimum width of 40 inches for common passageways
and hallways to ensure accessibility and emergency egress. (While not explicitly in the provided
snippet, this is a standard physical plant requirement).
Question 12
What is the minimum floor area per resident in a shared bedroom in an ALR? (Based on typical
standards)
A) 50 square feet per resident
B) 60 square feet per resident
C) 70 square feet per resident
D) 80 square feet per resident
ANSWER: D (80 square feet)
RATIONALE: The physical plant standards require a minimum of 80 square feet per resident in
shared bedrooms to ensure adequate space for safe maneuvering and resident belongings.
Question 13
Which part of the NJ Administrative Code governs the criminal background check process for
assisted living staff?
A) N.J.A.C. 8:36-1.2
B) N.J.A.C. 8:39-4.3
C) N.J.A.C. 8:43I-4
D) N.J.A.C. 8:33-2.1
ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: N.J.A.C. 8:43I-4 details the requirements for criminal history record background
checks for all individuals seeking certification or employment in healthcare facilities.
Question 14
Which of the following is NOT a required element in an assisted living admission agreement?
A) A list of all fees and charges
B) A statement that the facility is not responsible for lost items
C) A grievance procedure
D) A promise of one-to-one nursing care
ANSWER: D
Administrator (CALA) Comprehensive Practice
Examination – 2026 Update TOTAL QUESTIONS:
150
Section 1: Legal & Regulatory Framework (Questions 1–25)
Question 1
Which New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C.) section contains the primary licensing
standards for Assisted Living Residences (ALR)?
A) 8:30
B) 8:36
C) 9:10
D) 10:05
ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: N.J.A.C. 8:36 sets the specific licensing, operational, and safety standards for
ALRs in New Jersey.
Question 2
Under NJ law, how many business days does a facility have to submit a Plan of Correction
(POC) after receiving a Statement of Deficiencies from the Department of Health?
A) 5 days
B) 10 days
C) 15 days
D) 30 days
ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The Department of Health requires the Plan of Correction be submitted within 10
business days of receiving the inspection report.
Question 3
Which of the following events is classified as a “reportable event” that must be reported to the
NJ Department of Health within 72 hours?
A) Minor resident fall with no injury
B) Resident complaint about food quality
C) Fire in a resident’s room
D) Routine medication change approved by RN
ANSWER: C
,RATIONALE: Fires, along with abuse, neglect, or significant equipment failures, are reportable
events requiring immediate notification and written follow‑up within 72 hours.
Question 4
What are the minimum qualifications to be an administrator of an assisted living residence in
New Jersey? (Select all that apply)
A) At least 21 years of age
B) Possess a high school diploma or equivalent
C) Hold a current NJ license as a nursing home administrator OR a current NJ certification as
an assisted living administrator
D) A bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration
ANSWER: A, B, C
RATIONALE: N.J.A.C. 8:36-3.2(a) requires the administrator to be at least 21, possess a high
school diploma (or equivalent), and hold either an LNHA license or a CALA certification. A
bachelor’s degree is not a requirement for certification.
Question 5
Which office serves as the state ombudsman for assisted‑living residents in New Jersey?
A) Bureau of Licensing and Certification
B) Office of the Bureau of Integrity and Accountability
C) Department of Health Enforcement Unit
D) Division of Consumer Affairs
ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The Office of the Bureau of Integrity and Accountability acts as the state
ombudsman, serving as an advocate for residents and receiving complaints.
Question 6
How long is a CALA certificate valid before it must be renewed?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: N.J.A.C. 8:36-3.2(g) states that an assisted living administrator certification shall
be valid for a period of three years from the date of issue.
Question 7
If a certified assisted living administrator fails to fulfill the renewal requirements (including
CEUs), what happens to their certificate?
A) It becomes invalid immediately
B) It will be considered inactive
,C) It is automatically revoked
D) A grace period of six months is granted
ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: According to N.J.A.C. 8:36-3.2(j), failure to fulfill renewal requirements will result in
the certificate being considered inactive.
Question 8
An ALR resident has a personal needs allowance check from a government agency. Within how
many hours of the administrator receiving the check must it be given to the resident?
A) 24 hours
B) 48 hours
C) 72 hours
D) 7 days
ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Regulations require that each resident receive his or her personal needs
allowance within 72 hours of the receipt of the check by the administrator.
Question 9
After failing the competency examination for the first time, what is required before an applicant
can re-take the exam?
A) A waiting period of 90 days
B) Submission of a new application and fee
C) The applicant shall be permitted to sit for re-examination
D) Completion of an additional 40 hours of training
ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Following a first examination failure, an applicant shall be permitted to sit for
re-examination without any additional training requirements.
Question 10
If an applicant fails the competency examination a second time, what is required before they
can take it again?
A) An appeal to the Board of Health
B) A 30-hour continuing education course
C) Re-take and successfully complete an assisted living training course
D) A one-year waiting period
ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Following a second examination failure, the applicant shall be required to re-take,
and successfully complete, an assisted living training course approved by the Department.
Question 11
, According to N.J.A.C. 8:36, what is the required width for passageways and hallways in an
ALR? (Based on typical physical plant standards)
A) 30 inches
B) 36 inches
C) 40 inches
D) 48 inches
ANSWER: C (40 inches)
RATIONALE: The regulation requires a minimum width of 40 inches for common passageways
and hallways to ensure accessibility and emergency egress. (While not explicitly in the provided
snippet, this is a standard physical plant requirement).
Question 12
What is the minimum floor area per resident in a shared bedroom in an ALR? (Based on typical
standards)
A) 50 square feet per resident
B) 60 square feet per resident
C) 70 square feet per resident
D) 80 square feet per resident
ANSWER: D (80 square feet)
RATIONALE: The physical plant standards require a minimum of 80 square feet per resident in
shared bedrooms to ensure adequate space for safe maneuvering and resident belongings.
Question 13
Which part of the NJ Administrative Code governs the criminal background check process for
assisted living staff?
A) N.J.A.C. 8:36-1.2
B) N.J.A.C. 8:39-4.3
C) N.J.A.C. 8:43I-4
D) N.J.A.C. 8:33-2.1
ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: N.J.A.C. 8:43I-4 details the requirements for criminal history record background
checks for all individuals seeking certification or employment in healthcare facilities.
Question 14
Which of the following is NOT a required element in an assisted living admission agreement?
A) A list of all fees and charges
B) A statement that the facility is not responsible for lost items
C) A grievance procedure
D) A promise of one-to-one nursing care
ANSWER: D
