Comprehensive Kansas Adult Care
Home Operator (ACHO) Exam
Preparation Guide: Practice Questions
& Answers with Regulatory
Rationales
Question: What is the primary responsibility of the Adult Care
Home Operator?
Answer: To ensure the health, safety, and welfare of residents.
Rationale: The operator's fundamental duty is protecting resident
well-being. While meal service and staff scheduling are important
operational tasks, they serve the larger goal of resident health and
safety. Every decision an operator makes must prioritize resident
welfare above all other considerations. Kansas regulations
explicitly require that operators ensure each resident receives care
and services in accordance with their individual needs.
Question: Which agency is responsible for licensing adult care
homes in Kansas?
Answer: The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services
(KDADS).
,Rationale: KDADS serves as the licensing agency for adult care
homes in Kansas. Through its Survey, Certification, and
Credentialing Commission, KDADS protects public health through
inspection and licensing of adult care homes as defined by K.S.A.
39-923.
Question: What is the minimum age requirement to serve as an
Adult Care Home Operator?
Answer: Twenty-one years of age.
Rationale: Kansas Administrative Regulations require that any
administrator or operator appointed by a licensee must be at least
21 years old. This age requirement ensures operators have
sufficient maturity and life experience to manage the complex
responsibilities of operating a care facility.
Question: What educational credential must an operator possess?
Answer: A high school diploma or the equivalent.
Rationale: Kansas regulations specify that operators must possess
a high school diploma or equivalent. This foundational
educational requirement ensures operators have basic literacy,
numeracy, and communication skills necessary for facility
management and regulatory compliance.
,Question: What training must an individual complete to become
a registered operator?
Answer: A state-approved operator training course on principles
of assisted living.
Rationale: Candidates must successfully complete an operator
course approved by the secretary that covers principles of assisted
living. The course must be conducted by approved providers
including long-term care organizations, community colleges,
vocational-technical schools, or postsecondary institutions under
the state board of regents.
Question: How many hours of instruction are required for the
operator training course?
Answer: A minimum of 45 clock-hours of instruction.
Rationale: The operator course must consist of at least 45 clock-
hours of instruction, excluding breaks, lunch, and test time. This
substantial training requirement ensures operators receive
comprehensive preparation in all aspects of facility management
and resident care.
, Question: What score is required to pass the operator
examination?
Answer: A score of 80 percent or higher.
Rationale: Candidates must achieve a score of 80 percent or
higher to pass the operator test. The examination is administered
after course completion, and candidates may have access to
applicable statutes and regulations during the test.
Question: What happens if a candidate fails the operator test?
Answer: The candidate may retake the test one time using an
alternative version.
Rationale: Individuals who fail the test may retake it once with a
different test version. Those who fail a second time are required to
retake the entire operator course. This policy balances fairness
with ensuring competency.
Question: What is the maximum number of residents allowed in
facilities that an operator may oversee?
Answer: Facilities licensed for less than 61 residents.
Rationale: Adult care homes, as defined in Kansas statute, include
assisted living facilities and residential health care facilities
Home Operator (ACHO) Exam
Preparation Guide: Practice Questions
& Answers with Regulatory
Rationales
Question: What is the primary responsibility of the Adult Care
Home Operator?
Answer: To ensure the health, safety, and welfare of residents.
Rationale: The operator's fundamental duty is protecting resident
well-being. While meal service and staff scheduling are important
operational tasks, they serve the larger goal of resident health and
safety. Every decision an operator makes must prioritize resident
welfare above all other considerations. Kansas regulations
explicitly require that operators ensure each resident receives care
and services in accordance with their individual needs.
Question: Which agency is responsible for licensing adult care
homes in Kansas?
Answer: The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services
(KDADS).
,Rationale: KDADS serves as the licensing agency for adult care
homes in Kansas. Through its Survey, Certification, and
Credentialing Commission, KDADS protects public health through
inspection and licensing of adult care homes as defined by K.S.A.
39-923.
Question: What is the minimum age requirement to serve as an
Adult Care Home Operator?
Answer: Twenty-one years of age.
Rationale: Kansas Administrative Regulations require that any
administrator or operator appointed by a licensee must be at least
21 years old. This age requirement ensures operators have
sufficient maturity and life experience to manage the complex
responsibilities of operating a care facility.
Question: What educational credential must an operator possess?
Answer: A high school diploma or the equivalent.
Rationale: Kansas regulations specify that operators must possess
a high school diploma or equivalent. This foundational
educational requirement ensures operators have basic literacy,
numeracy, and communication skills necessary for facility
management and regulatory compliance.
,Question: What training must an individual complete to become
a registered operator?
Answer: A state-approved operator training course on principles
of assisted living.
Rationale: Candidates must successfully complete an operator
course approved by the secretary that covers principles of assisted
living. The course must be conducted by approved providers
including long-term care organizations, community colleges,
vocational-technical schools, or postsecondary institutions under
the state board of regents.
Question: How many hours of instruction are required for the
operator training course?
Answer: A minimum of 45 clock-hours of instruction.
Rationale: The operator course must consist of at least 45 clock-
hours of instruction, excluding breaks, lunch, and test time. This
substantial training requirement ensures operators receive
comprehensive preparation in all aspects of facility management
and resident care.
, Question: What score is required to pass the operator
examination?
Answer: A score of 80 percent or higher.
Rationale: Candidates must achieve a score of 80 percent or
higher to pass the operator test. The examination is administered
after course completion, and candidates may have access to
applicable statutes and regulations during the test.
Question: What happens if a candidate fails the operator test?
Answer: The candidate may retake the test one time using an
alternative version.
Rationale: Individuals who fail the test may retake it once with a
different test version. Those who fail a second time are required to
retake the entire operator course. This policy balances fairness
with ensuring competency.
Question: What is the maximum number of residents allowed in
facilities that an operator may oversee?
Answer: Facilities licensed for less than 61 residents.
Rationale: Adult care homes, as defined in Kansas statute, include
assisted living facilities and residential health care facilities
