NJ CALA Exam | New Jersey Certified Assisted Living Administrator Study Guide &
Exam Prep 2026–2027 | NJ CALA Certification Test Review | Certified Assisted Living
Administrator, New Jersey Assisted Living Regulations, NJ Department of Health,
Assisted Living Facilities, Resident Rights, Resident Care, Aging in Place, Activities of
Daily Living (ADLs), Managed Risk, Medication Management, Infection Prevention &
Control, Health & Safety, Emergency Preparedness, Fire Safety, Staffing
Requirements, Staff Training, Administrator Responsibilities, Facility Operations,
Quality Assurance, Risk Management, Incident Reporting, Documentation, Care
Planning, Financial Management, Human Resources, Ethics, Regulatory Compliance &
Assisted Living Administration | Practice Questions, Case Studies & Detailed
Rationales
Question 1: [NJ CALA] What is the minimum clear usable floor area required for
one person in an Assisted Living Residence (ALR)?
A. 80 square feet
B. 100 square feet
C. 120 square feet
D. 150 square feet
CORRECT ANSWER: D. 150 square feet
Rationale: New Jersey licensing standards mandate that an Assisted Living
Residence must provide a minimum clear usable floor area of 150 square feet for
one person, ensuring adequate personal living space.
Question 2: [NJ CALA] At what temperature must an assisted living facility be
maintained during daytime hours during the heating season?
A. 65 degrees
B. 68 degrees
C. 72 degrees
D. 75 degrees
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 72 degrees
Rationale: Regulations require that during heating season, the temperature in
resident areas must be maintained at a minimum of 72 degrees during the day to
ensure resident comfort and safety.
Question 3: [NJ CALA] What is the minimum notice required for an involuntary
discharge of a resident from an assisted living facility?
,A. 15 days
B. 30 days
C. 45 days
D. 60 days
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 30 days
Rationale: Unless an emergency exists, written notification of involuntary
discharge must be provided to the resident at least 30 days prior to the planned
discharge date.
Question 4: [NJ CALA] How many continuing education hours are required every
three years to renew an administrator's license in New Jersey?
A. 15 hours
B. 20 hours
C. 30 hours
D. 40 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 30 hours
Rationale: Licensed assisted living administrators in New Jersey must complete 30
hours of continuing education every three years to maintain their certification.
Question 5: [NJ CALA] What is the maximum travel distance to a fire
extinguisher in an assisted living facility?
A. 30 feet
B. 50 feet
C. 75 feet
D. 100 feet
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 50 feet
Rationale: Fire safety regulations specify that the maximum travel distance from
any point to a fire extinguisher shall not exceed 50 feet to ensure rapid access
during emergencies.
Question 6: [NJ CALA] Within what timeframe must a resident service plan be
developed following admission to an assisted living facility?
,A. 7 days
B. 14 days
C. 21 days
D. 30 days
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 14 days
Rationale: A resident service plan must be developed within 14 days of admission,
allowing sufficient time for assessment while ensuring timely identification of
resident needs.
Question 7: [NJ CALA] What is the minimum width for passageways, aisles, and
corridors in an Assisted Living Residence (ALR)?
A. 36 inches
B. 42 inches
C. 44 inches
D. 48 inches
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 44 inches
Rationale: ALRs must maintain passageways, aisles, and corridors with a minimum
width of 44 inches to accommodate mobility equipment and ensure safe
evacuation.
Question 8: [NJ CALA] How often must fire drills be conducted in an assisted
living facility?
A. Weekly
B. Monthly
C. Quarterly
D. Annually
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Monthly
Rationale: Fire drills must be conducted on a monthly basis to ensure staff and
residents are familiar with evacuation procedures and emergency protocols.
Question 9: [NJ CALA] What is the maximum temperature allowed in resident
areas when the cooling system is in operation?
, A. 75 degrees
B. 78 degrees
C. 82 degrees
D. 85 degrees
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 82 degrees
Rationale: During cooling season, the temperature in resident areas shall not
exceed 82 degrees to prevent heat-related health issues among vulnerable
residents.
Question 10: [NJ CALA] How many personal care assistants must be awake at all
times in an assisted living facility?
A. Zero
B. One
C. Two
D. Three
CORRECT ANSWER: B. One
Rationale: At least one personal care assistant must be awake at all times to
respond to resident needs, with additional staff available as required by census
and acuity.
Question 11: [NJ CALA] Within what timeframe must written confirmation be
provided to the Department following a reportable event?
A. 24 hours
B. 48 hours
C. 72 hours
D. 96 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 72 hours
Rationale: Following immediate notification of a reportable event, written
confirmation must be submitted to the Department within 72 hours to document
the incident and facility response.
Question 12: [NJ CALA] What is the minimum space required for each additional
person in an Assisted Living Residence (ALR) beyond the first occupant?
Exam Prep 2026–2027 | NJ CALA Certification Test Review | Certified Assisted Living
Administrator, New Jersey Assisted Living Regulations, NJ Department of Health,
Assisted Living Facilities, Resident Rights, Resident Care, Aging in Place, Activities of
Daily Living (ADLs), Managed Risk, Medication Management, Infection Prevention &
Control, Health & Safety, Emergency Preparedness, Fire Safety, Staffing
Requirements, Staff Training, Administrator Responsibilities, Facility Operations,
Quality Assurance, Risk Management, Incident Reporting, Documentation, Care
Planning, Financial Management, Human Resources, Ethics, Regulatory Compliance &
Assisted Living Administration | Practice Questions, Case Studies & Detailed
Rationales
Question 1: [NJ CALA] What is the minimum clear usable floor area required for
one person in an Assisted Living Residence (ALR)?
A. 80 square feet
B. 100 square feet
C. 120 square feet
D. 150 square feet
CORRECT ANSWER: D. 150 square feet
Rationale: New Jersey licensing standards mandate that an Assisted Living
Residence must provide a minimum clear usable floor area of 150 square feet for
one person, ensuring adequate personal living space.
Question 2: [NJ CALA] At what temperature must an assisted living facility be
maintained during daytime hours during the heating season?
A. 65 degrees
B. 68 degrees
C. 72 degrees
D. 75 degrees
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 72 degrees
Rationale: Regulations require that during heating season, the temperature in
resident areas must be maintained at a minimum of 72 degrees during the day to
ensure resident comfort and safety.
Question 3: [NJ CALA] What is the minimum notice required for an involuntary
discharge of a resident from an assisted living facility?
,A. 15 days
B. 30 days
C. 45 days
D. 60 days
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 30 days
Rationale: Unless an emergency exists, written notification of involuntary
discharge must be provided to the resident at least 30 days prior to the planned
discharge date.
Question 4: [NJ CALA] How many continuing education hours are required every
three years to renew an administrator's license in New Jersey?
A. 15 hours
B. 20 hours
C. 30 hours
D. 40 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 30 hours
Rationale: Licensed assisted living administrators in New Jersey must complete 30
hours of continuing education every three years to maintain their certification.
Question 5: [NJ CALA] What is the maximum travel distance to a fire
extinguisher in an assisted living facility?
A. 30 feet
B. 50 feet
C. 75 feet
D. 100 feet
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 50 feet
Rationale: Fire safety regulations specify that the maximum travel distance from
any point to a fire extinguisher shall not exceed 50 feet to ensure rapid access
during emergencies.
Question 6: [NJ CALA] Within what timeframe must a resident service plan be
developed following admission to an assisted living facility?
,A. 7 days
B. 14 days
C. 21 days
D. 30 days
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 14 days
Rationale: A resident service plan must be developed within 14 days of admission,
allowing sufficient time for assessment while ensuring timely identification of
resident needs.
Question 7: [NJ CALA] What is the minimum width for passageways, aisles, and
corridors in an Assisted Living Residence (ALR)?
A. 36 inches
B. 42 inches
C. 44 inches
D. 48 inches
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 44 inches
Rationale: ALRs must maintain passageways, aisles, and corridors with a minimum
width of 44 inches to accommodate mobility equipment and ensure safe
evacuation.
Question 8: [NJ CALA] How often must fire drills be conducted in an assisted
living facility?
A. Weekly
B. Monthly
C. Quarterly
D. Annually
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Monthly
Rationale: Fire drills must be conducted on a monthly basis to ensure staff and
residents are familiar with evacuation procedures and emergency protocols.
Question 9: [NJ CALA] What is the maximum temperature allowed in resident
areas when the cooling system is in operation?
, A. 75 degrees
B. 78 degrees
C. 82 degrees
D. 85 degrees
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 82 degrees
Rationale: During cooling season, the temperature in resident areas shall not
exceed 82 degrees to prevent heat-related health issues among vulnerable
residents.
Question 10: [NJ CALA] How many personal care assistants must be awake at all
times in an assisted living facility?
A. Zero
B. One
C. Two
D. Three
CORRECT ANSWER: B. One
Rationale: At least one personal care assistant must be awake at all times to
respond to resident needs, with additional staff available as required by census
and acuity.
Question 11: [NJ CALA] Within what timeframe must written confirmation be
provided to the Department following a reportable event?
A. 24 hours
B. 48 hours
C. 72 hours
D. 96 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 72 hours
Rationale: Following immediate notification of a reportable event, written
confirmation must be submitted to the Department within 72 hours to document
the incident and facility response.
Question 12: [NJ CALA] What is the minimum space required for each additional
person in an Assisted Living Residence (ALR) beyond the first occupant?
