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Pennsylvania Certified Personal Care Home
Administrator (PCHA) Exam | Latest Verified
Questions and Detailed Answers
OVERVIEW DESCRIPTION:
This comprehensive set of multiple choice questions is designed for the Pennsylvania
Certified Personal Care Home Administrator (PCHA) Exam, which is overseen by the
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS). The questions assess knowledge of
key regulatory requirements under 55 Pa. Code Chapter 2600, including administrator
qualifications and training, resident rights and contracts, medication management, fire
safety and emergency preparedness, abuse reporting under the Older Adult Protective
Services Act, and the development of individualized Resident Assessment Support Plans
(RASP). Additional content covers dementia care, personal care services, financial
recordkeeping, quality management, and the distinctions between personal care homes
and skilled nursing facilities.
QUESTION 1
What is the primary purpose of a personal care home (PCH) in Pennsylvania?
A) Provide acute medical care and skilled nursing services
B) Offer housing, supervision, and assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) for
adults who do not need nursing home care
C) Serve as a rehabilitation hospital for post-surgery patients
D) Conduct medical research and clinical trials
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Personal care homes are community residences that provide help
with tasks of daily living for older adults or people with disabilities who do not require
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24-hour skilled nursing care. They are not designed for acute medical care, research, or
rehabilitation.
QUESTION 2
Which state agency is responsible for licensing and inspecting personal care homes in
Pennsylvania?
A) Pennsylvania Department of Health
B) Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS)
C) Pennsylvania Department of Aging
D) Pennsylvania Department of State
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is the
licensing and regulatory authority for personal care homes, overseeing inspections,
complaint investigations, and compliance with 55 Pa. Code Chapter 2600.
QUESTION 3
According to 55 Pa. Code § 2600.53, what is the minimum age requirement for a
personal care home administrator?
A) 18 years old
B) 21 years old
C) 25 years old
D) 30 years old
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Section 2600.53(b) explicitly states that the administrator shall be
21 years of age or older.
QUESTION 4
Which of the following is NOT a valid qualification for a personal care home
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administrator under 55 Pa. Code § 2600.53?
A) A license as a registered nurse from the Department of State
B) An associate's degree or 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university
C) A high school diploma with no additional experience
D) A license as a licensed practical nurse and 1 year of work experience in a related field
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: A high school diploma alone is insufficient. Only administrators of
homes serving 8 or fewer residents may qualify with a high school diploma plus 2 years
of direct care or administrative experience in human services.
QUESTION 5
What is the minimum number of hours the administrator must be present in the home
each week on average, per 55 Pa. Code § 2600.56?
A) 10 hours
B) 15 hours
C) 20 hours
D) 40 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: The regulation requires the administrator to be present in the
home an average of 20 hours or more per week, in each calendar month, to ensure
adequate management and oversight.
QUESTION 6
Under § 2600.53(c), the administrator is responsible for all of the following EXCEPT:
A) The health, safety and well-being of residents
B) Implementation of policies and procedures
C) Providing direct hands-on nursing care to all residents
D) Compliance with Chapter 2600
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CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: The administrator is responsible for administration and
management, including overseeing care, but is not required to personally provide direct
nursing care to all residents.
QUESTION 7
What must a candidate complete prior to initial employment as an administrator,
according to § 2600.64?
A) A 40-hour online course only
B) A 100-hour standardized Department-approved administrator training course and a
competency-based test
C) A bachelor's degree in healthcare administration
D) Five years of experience as a direct care worker
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Section 2600.64 requires successful completion of a Department
orientation, a 100-hour standardized training course, and a competency-based test with
a passing score.
QUESTION 8
How many hours of annual training must a personal care home administrator complete
relating to job duties, according to § 2600.64(c)?
A) 12 hours
B) 18 hours
C) 24 hours
D) 30 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: The regulation requires administrators to have at least 24 hours
Pennsylvania Certified Personal Care Home
Administrator (PCHA) Exam | Latest Verified
Questions and Detailed Answers
OVERVIEW DESCRIPTION:
This comprehensive set of multiple choice questions is designed for the Pennsylvania
Certified Personal Care Home Administrator (PCHA) Exam, which is overseen by the
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS). The questions assess knowledge of
key regulatory requirements under 55 Pa. Code Chapter 2600, including administrator
qualifications and training, resident rights and contracts, medication management, fire
safety and emergency preparedness, abuse reporting under the Older Adult Protective
Services Act, and the development of individualized Resident Assessment Support Plans
(RASP). Additional content covers dementia care, personal care services, financial
recordkeeping, quality management, and the distinctions between personal care homes
and skilled nursing facilities.
QUESTION 1
What is the primary purpose of a personal care home (PCH) in Pennsylvania?
A) Provide acute medical care and skilled nursing services
B) Offer housing, supervision, and assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) for
adults who do not need nursing home care
C) Serve as a rehabilitation hospital for post-surgery patients
D) Conduct medical research and clinical trials
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Personal care homes are community residences that provide help
with tasks of daily living for older adults or people with disabilities who do not require
,2|Page
24-hour skilled nursing care. They are not designed for acute medical care, research, or
rehabilitation.
QUESTION 2
Which state agency is responsible for licensing and inspecting personal care homes in
Pennsylvania?
A) Pennsylvania Department of Health
B) Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS)
C) Pennsylvania Department of Aging
D) Pennsylvania Department of State
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is the
licensing and regulatory authority for personal care homes, overseeing inspections,
complaint investigations, and compliance with 55 Pa. Code Chapter 2600.
QUESTION 3
According to 55 Pa. Code § 2600.53, what is the minimum age requirement for a
personal care home administrator?
A) 18 years old
B) 21 years old
C) 25 years old
D) 30 years old
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Section 2600.53(b) explicitly states that the administrator shall be
21 years of age or older.
QUESTION 4
Which of the following is NOT a valid qualification for a personal care home
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administrator under 55 Pa. Code § 2600.53?
A) A license as a registered nurse from the Department of State
B) An associate's degree or 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university
C) A high school diploma with no additional experience
D) A license as a licensed practical nurse and 1 year of work experience in a related field
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: A high school diploma alone is insufficient. Only administrators of
homes serving 8 or fewer residents may qualify with a high school diploma plus 2 years
of direct care or administrative experience in human services.
QUESTION 5
What is the minimum number of hours the administrator must be present in the home
each week on average, per 55 Pa. Code § 2600.56?
A) 10 hours
B) 15 hours
C) 20 hours
D) 40 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: The regulation requires the administrator to be present in the
home an average of 20 hours or more per week, in each calendar month, to ensure
adequate management and oversight.
QUESTION 6
Under § 2600.53(c), the administrator is responsible for all of the following EXCEPT:
A) The health, safety and well-being of residents
B) Implementation of policies and procedures
C) Providing direct hands-on nursing care to all residents
D) Compliance with Chapter 2600
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CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: The administrator is responsible for administration and
management, including overseeing care, but is not required to personally provide direct
nursing care to all residents.
QUESTION 7
What must a candidate complete prior to initial employment as an administrator,
according to § 2600.64?
A) A 40-hour online course only
B) A 100-hour standardized Department-approved administrator training course and a
competency-based test
C) A bachelor's degree in healthcare administration
D) Five years of experience as a direct care worker
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Section 2600.64 requires successful completion of a Department
orientation, a 100-hour standardized training course, and a competency-based test with
a passing score.
QUESTION 8
How many hours of annual training must a personal care home administrator complete
relating to job duties, according to § 2600.64(c)?
A) 12 hours
B) 18 hours
C) 24 hours
D) 30 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: The regulation requires administrators to have at least 24 hours
