1
Santa Clara County Home
Health Nurse
Examination Version 2.0
— Advanced Clinical &
Regulatory
Comprehensive
Assessment a well
detailed one 2025 /
, 2
2026 written and graded
A+ upgraded
Examination Title
Santa Clara County Home Health Nurse Examination Version 2.0: Advanced Practice
Assessment of Clinical Judgment, Regulatory Compliance, OASIS-E1 Proficiency, and
Community-Based Care Coordination in the Home Healthcare Setting
Instructions
This examination consists of 150 multiple-choice questions designed to assess advanced clinical
knowledge, regulatory expertise, and critical thinking skills required for home health nursing
practice in Santa Clara County. Each question has ONE correct answer. Select the best response
and record your answer accordingly.
Time Allowed: 4 hours
Passing Score: 80% (120/150)
SECTION A: REGULATORY FRAMEWORK AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS (Questions 1-25)
1. A home health agency in Santa Clara County is applying for initial licensure. According to
California Health and Safety Code Section 1728.7, which of the following pathways is available
for obtaining a home health agency license without a traditional state survey?
, 3
A. Submit a complete application packet directly to the local CDPH District Office
B. Obtain accreditation from a CMS-approved national accreditation organization and submit
application with fees
C. Obtain a certificate of need from the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors
D. Submit evidence of Medicare certification only
-detailed answer 100% correct :- B
Rationale: Health and Safety Code Section 1728.7 allows the department to issue a license to a
home health agency that is accredited by a CMS-approved national accreditation organization,
files an application with fees, and meets any additional licensure requirements identified by the
department. Applications must be submitted to the Centralized Applications Branch (CAB), not
local district offices.
2. According to California Code of Regulations Title 22, Section 74600(a), which of the
following entities is required to obtain a home health agency license?
A. A private duty nursing registry that refers nurses to patients but does not employ them
B. A public or private organization that provides or arranges for skilled nursing services in a
patient's temporary or permanent place of residence
C. A physician's office that provides home visits for established patients
D. A hospice program that provides intermittent skilled nursing in the home
-detailed answer 100% correct :- B
Rationale: Title 22 CCR Section 74600(a) defines a home health agency as "a private or public
organization, including but not limited to, any partnership, corporation, political subdivision of
the state, or other government agency within the state, which provides, or arranges for the
provision of, skilled nursing services, to persons in their temporary or permanent place of
residence".
3. A home health agency in Santa Clara County wishes to change its geographical service area.
What is the required procedure?
A. Submit a Change of Geographical Service Area Application Packet to the Centralized
Applications Branch
B. Notify the local CDPH District Office within 30 days
C. Submit a letter of intent to the Santa Clara County Public Health Department
D. No formal notification is required for service area expansion
, 4
-detailed answer 100% correct :- A
Rationale: Applicants must submit a completed Change of Geographical Service Area
Application Packet to the Centralized Applications Branch (CAB). The provider instructions and
checklist identify required forms and supporting documents.
4. Under California law, which of the following entities is NOT required to obtain a home
health agency license, even if it utilizes licensed nursing personnel?
A. A hospice program providing skilled nursing in the home
B. An organization that evaluates individuals only to determine their level of care needs
C. A Medicare-certified home health agency
D. A private corporation providing skilled nursing in patients' homes
-detailed answer 100% correct :- B
Rationale: Entities that utilize qualified licensed nursing personnel within their scope of practice
to evaluate individuals only to determine their quality and/or level of care or nursing needs are
NOT considered to be providing skilled nursing services and therefore do not require a home
health agency license.
5. According to AB 1495 (Chapter 400, Statutes of 2025), which of the following changes to
home health aide training and certification was implemented effective January 1, 2026?
A. All home health aide training must be conducted in-person only
B. Home health agencies may partially fulfill initial certification and in-service training
requirements through online and distance learning programs
C. The requirement for home health aide certification was eliminated
D. Home health aides are no longer required to complete in-service training
-detailed answer 100% correct :- B
Rationale: AB 1495 permits HHAs to partially fulfill the training requirements for initial
certification and in-service training requirements for renewal through online and distance
learning training programs. Online HHA training programs must meet the same standards as
classroom-based training.
Santa Clara County Home
Health Nurse
Examination Version 2.0
— Advanced Clinical &
Regulatory
Comprehensive
Assessment a well
detailed one 2025 /
, 2
2026 written and graded
A+ upgraded
Examination Title
Santa Clara County Home Health Nurse Examination Version 2.0: Advanced Practice
Assessment of Clinical Judgment, Regulatory Compliance, OASIS-E1 Proficiency, and
Community-Based Care Coordination in the Home Healthcare Setting
Instructions
This examination consists of 150 multiple-choice questions designed to assess advanced clinical
knowledge, regulatory expertise, and critical thinking skills required for home health nursing
practice in Santa Clara County. Each question has ONE correct answer. Select the best response
and record your answer accordingly.
Time Allowed: 4 hours
Passing Score: 80% (120/150)
SECTION A: REGULATORY FRAMEWORK AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS (Questions 1-25)
1. A home health agency in Santa Clara County is applying for initial licensure. According to
California Health and Safety Code Section 1728.7, which of the following pathways is available
for obtaining a home health agency license without a traditional state survey?
, 3
A. Submit a complete application packet directly to the local CDPH District Office
B. Obtain accreditation from a CMS-approved national accreditation organization and submit
application with fees
C. Obtain a certificate of need from the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors
D. Submit evidence of Medicare certification only
-detailed answer 100% correct :- B
Rationale: Health and Safety Code Section 1728.7 allows the department to issue a license to a
home health agency that is accredited by a CMS-approved national accreditation organization,
files an application with fees, and meets any additional licensure requirements identified by the
department. Applications must be submitted to the Centralized Applications Branch (CAB), not
local district offices.
2. According to California Code of Regulations Title 22, Section 74600(a), which of the
following entities is required to obtain a home health agency license?
A. A private duty nursing registry that refers nurses to patients but does not employ them
B. A public or private organization that provides or arranges for skilled nursing services in a
patient's temporary or permanent place of residence
C. A physician's office that provides home visits for established patients
D. A hospice program that provides intermittent skilled nursing in the home
-detailed answer 100% correct :- B
Rationale: Title 22 CCR Section 74600(a) defines a home health agency as "a private or public
organization, including but not limited to, any partnership, corporation, political subdivision of
the state, or other government agency within the state, which provides, or arranges for the
provision of, skilled nursing services, to persons in their temporary or permanent place of
residence".
3. A home health agency in Santa Clara County wishes to change its geographical service area.
What is the required procedure?
A. Submit a Change of Geographical Service Area Application Packet to the Centralized
Applications Branch
B. Notify the local CDPH District Office within 30 days
C. Submit a letter of intent to the Santa Clara County Public Health Department
D. No formal notification is required for service area expansion
, 4
-detailed answer 100% correct :- A
Rationale: Applicants must submit a completed Change of Geographical Service Area
Application Packet to the Centralized Applications Branch (CAB). The provider instructions and
checklist identify required forms and supporting documents.
4. Under California law, which of the following entities is NOT required to obtain a home
health agency license, even if it utilizes licensed nursing personnel?
A. A hospice program providing skilled nursing in the home
B. An organization that evaluates individuals only to determine their level of care needs
C. A Medicare-certified home health agency
D. A private corporation providing skilled nursing in patients' homes
-detailed answer 100% correct :- B
Rationale: Entities that utilize qualified licensed nursing personnel within their scope of practice
to evaluate individuals only to determine their quality and/or level of care or nursing needs are
NOT considered to be providing skilled nursing services and therefore do not require a home
health agency license.
5. According to AB 1495 (Chapter 400, Statutes of 2025), which of the following changes to
home health aide training and certification was implemented effective January 1, 2026?
A. All home health aide training must be conducted in-person only
B. Home health agencies may partially fulfill initial certification and in-service training
requirements through online and distance learning programs
C. The requirement for home health aide certification was eliminated
D. Home health aides are no longer required to complete in-service training
-detailed answer 100% correct :- B
Rationale: AB 1495 permits HHAs to partially fulfill the training requirements for initial
certification and in-service training requirements for renewal through online and distance
learning training programs. Online HHA training programs must meet the same standards as
classroom-based training.
