ALF CORE TRAINING FLORIDA EXAM
2026/2027
ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY ADMINISTRATOR
CERTIFICATION – FLORIDA AHCA
EXPERT VERIFIED | 100 VERIFIED Q&A | DETAILED RATIONALES | A+ GRADED
EXAM OVERVIEW
The Florida ALF Core Training Exam is administered by the MacDonald Research
Institute (TMRI) and consists of 100 questions (typically multiple-choice format).
Candidates must complete 26 hours of core training before registering for the exam and
achieve a minimum score of 75% to pass. Test fees are $200.00 per attempt.
Administrators have 90 days from employment to complete the core training and pass
the competency test.
SECTION 1: LICENSING & REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
Questions 1-25
1. Which Florida Administrative Code chapter contains the specific licensing and
operational standards for Assisted Living Facilities?
A) 59A-4
B) 58A-5
C) 59A-35
D) 64B-8
,Answer: B) 58A-5
Rationale: Rule 58A-5, Florida Administrative Code, contains the specific licensing and
operational standards for ALFs. Chapter 408 FS establishes general health care licensing
requirements, and Rule 59A-35 FAC is the general core licensing rule. Option A (59A-4)
applies to nursing homes.
2. True or False: An ALF can consist of only one building.
A) True
B) False
C) Depends on license type
D) Only for standard licenses
Answer: B) False
Rationale: An ALF can consist of multiple buildings on contiguous property under one
license, as long as they are not separated by more than a two-lane street. Multi-building
facilities are permitted.
3. Which state agency is responsible for licensing and regulating Assisted Living
Facilities in Florida?
A) Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA)
B) Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA)
C) Department of Health (DOH)
D) Department of Children and Families (DCF)
Answer: B) Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA)
Rationale: AHCA is the primary state agency responsible for licensing, regulating, and
surveying Assisted Living Facilities in Florida under Florida Statute Chapter 429. The
Department of Elder Affairs oversees certain programs but is not the licensing agency.
4. Capacity in an ALF is defined as the _____ of residents it is licensed to care for.
,A) Maximum number
B) Average number
C) Minimum number
D) Projected number
Answer: A) Maximum number
Rationale: Capacity is the maximum number of residents a facility is licensed to care for,
per Rule 58A-5.013. This is the licensing limit set by AHCA.
5. Under Florida Statute 429.52, how many hours of ALF Core Training must a
prospective administrator complete before taking the state competency exam?
A) 12 hours
B) 20 hours
C) 26 hours
D) 40 hours
Answer: C) 26 hours
Rationale: Florida Statute 429.52 and Florida Administrative Code 59A-36.011 require
prospective ALF administrators to complete a minimum of 26 hours of core training before
registering for the state competency exam.
6. An ALF administrator must pass the state competency exam with a minimum score
of:
A) 70%
B) 75%
C) 80%
D) 85%
Answer: B) 75%
Rationale: Florida law requires ALF administrators to achieve a passing score of 75% or
better on the 100-question state core competency exam. The exam consists of
scenario-based questions testing knowledge of Florida statutes and administrative rules.
, 7. Under Florida law, an ALF administrator must be at least:
A) 18 years of age
B) 19 years of age
C) 21 years of age
D) 25 years of age
Answer: C) 21 years of age
Rationale: Florida Statute 429.52 requires ALF administrators to be at least 21 years of
age, hold a high school diploma or GED, and pass the required background screening.
8. How often are ALF surveys conducted by AHCA to ensure compliance?
A) Annually
B) Biennial (every 2 years)
C) Every 3 years
D) Only when complaints are filed
Answer: B) Biennial (every 2 years)
Rationale: ALF surveys conducted by AHCA will occur biennially (every 2 years) to ensure
compliance with all regulations and rules.
9. Applications for a Change of Ownership (CHOW) must be submitted to AHCA how
many days prior to the transaction?
A) 30 days
B) 45 days
C) 60 days
D) 90 days
Answer: C) 60 days
Rationale: Applications for a CHOW must be submitted to AHCA 60 days prior to the
transaction.
2026/2027
ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY ADMINISTRATOR
CERTIFICATION – FLORIDA AHCA
EXPERT VERIFIED | 100 VERIFIED Q&A | DETAILED RATIONALES | A+ GRADED
EXAM OVERVIEW
The Florida ALF Core Training Exam is administered by the MacDonald Research
Institute (TMRI) and consists of 100 questions (typically multiple-choice format).
Candidates must complete 26 hours of core training before registering for the exam and
achieve a minimum score of 75% to pass. Test fees are $200.00 per attempt.
Administrators have 90 days from employment to complete the core training and pass
the competency test.
SECTION 1: LICENSING & REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
Questions 1-25
1. Which Florida Administrative Code chapter contains the specific licensing and
operational standards for Assisted Living Facilities?
A) 59A-4
B) 58A-5
C) 59A-35
D) 64B-8
,Answer: B) 58A-5
Rationale: Rule 58A-5, Florida Administrative Code, contains the specific licensing and
operational standards for ALFs. Chapter 408 FS establishes general health care licensing
requirements, and Rule 59A-35 FAC is the general core licensing rule. Option A (59A-4)
applies to nursing homes.
2. True or False: An ALF can consist of only one building.
A) True
B) False
C) Depends on license type
D) Only for standard licenses
Answer: B) False
Rationale: An ALF can consist of multiple buildings on contiguous property under one
license, as long as they are not separated by more than a two-lane street. Multi-building
facilities are permitted.
3. Which state agency is responsible for licensing and regulating Assisted Living
Facilities in Florida?
A) Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA)
B) Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA)
C) Department of Health (DOH)
D) Department of Children and Families (DCF)
Answer: B) Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA)
Rationale: AHCA is the primary state agency responsible for licensing, regulating, and
surveying Assisted Living Facilities in Florida under Florida Statute Chapter 429. The
Department of Elder Affairs oversees certain programs but is not the licensing agency.
4. Capacity in an ALF is defined as the _____ of residents it is licensed to care for.
,A) Maximum number
B) Average number
C) Minimum number
D) Projected number
Answer: A) Maximum number
Rationale: Capacity is the maximum number of residents a facility is licensed to care for,
per Rule 58A-5.013. This is the licensing limit set by AHCA.
5. Under Florida Statute 429.52, how many hours of ALF Core Training must a
prospective administrator complete before taking the state competency exam?
A) 12 hours
B) 20 hours
C) 26 hours
D) 40 hours
Answer: C) 26 hours
Rationale: Florida Statute 429.52 and Florida Administrative Code 59A-36.011 require
prospective ALF administrators to complete a minimum of 26 hours of core training before
registering for the state competency exam.
6. An ALF administrator must pass the state competency exam with a minimum score
of:
A) 70%
B) 75%
C) 80%
D) 85%
Answer: B) 75%
Rationale: Florida law requires ALF administrators to achieve a passing score of 75% or
better on the 100-question state core competency exam. The exam consists of
scenario-based questions testing knowledge of Florida statutes and administrative rules.
, 7. Under Florida law, an ALF administrator must be at least:
A) 18 years of age
B) 19 years of age
C) 21 years of age
D) 25 years of age
Answer: C) 21 years of age
Rationale: Florida Statute 429.52 requires ALF administrators to be at least 21 years of
age, hold a high school diploma or GED, and pass the required background screening.
8. How often are ALF surveys conducted by AHCA to ensure compliance?
A) Annually
B) Biennial (every 2 years)
C) Every 3 years
D) Only when complaints are filed
Answer: B) Biennial (every 2 years)
Rationale: ALF surveys conducted by AHCA will occur biennially (every 2 years) to ensure
compliance with all regulations and rules.
9. Applications for a Change of Ownership (CHOW) must be submitted to AHCA how
many days prior to the transaction?
A) 30 days
B) 45 days
C) 60 days
D) 90 days
Answer: C) 60 days
Rationale: Applications for a CHOW must be submitted to AHCA 60 days prior to the
transaction.
