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NEW JERSEY CERTIFIED ASSISTED
LIVING ADMINISTRATOR (CALA) EXAM —
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS AND COMPLETE RATIONALES
## SECTION 1: REGULATORY COMPLIANCE & N.J.A.C. 8:36
**1. Under N.J.A.C. 8:36, an assisted living resident who
requires intermittent nursing services but does not require 24-
hour skilled nursing care:**
A. Must be transferred to a nursing home within 7 days
B. May continue to reside in assisted living with appropriate
services and documentation
C. Requires a physician's order for transfer to a hospital
D. Automatically qualifies for the Assisted Living Program (ALP)
without additional assessment
**Correct answer:** B
**Rationale:** N.J.A.C. 8:36-4.1(b) supports aging in place;
residents may receive intermittent nursing services as long as
the facility can meet their needs safely and document the care
plan. Automatic transfer is not mandated for intermittent nursing
needs—only when needs exceed facility capacity .
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**2. Which of the following is a required component of the
assisted living facility's written admission agreement under
N.J.A.C. 8:36-4.2?**
A. A guarantee that the resident will never be discharged
B. The facility's policy on room changes and the circumstances
under which they may occur
C. A waiver of the resident's right to appeal discharge decisions
D. A fixed monthly rate that cannot be adjusted for any reason
**Correct answer:** B
**Rationale:** N.J.A.C. 8:36-4.2(c) specifically requires
disclosure of policies regarding room changes, including
circumstances and notice requirements. Facilities cannot
guarantee against discharge when residents' needs exceed
capabilities, and waivers of statutory rights are void under NJ
law .
**3. Under N.J.A.C. 8:36, the minimum square footage
requirement for a single-occupancy resident room in an
assisted living facility is:**
A. 100 square feet
B. 150 square feet
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C. 200 square feet
D. 250 square feet
**Correct answer:** B
**Rationale:** N.J.A.C. 8:36-9.2(a)1 requires single-occupancy
resident rooms to provide a minimum of **150 square feet** of
floor space, excluding closets and private bathroom areas .
**4. An assisted living facility in New Jersey must provide how
many hours of dementia-specific training for all direct care staff
who work in an Alzheimer's special care unit?**
A. 4 hours annually
B. 8 hours initially and 4 hours annually
C. 16 hours initially and 8 hours annually
D. 24 hours initially with no ongoing requirement
**Correct answer:** B
**Rationale:** N.J.A.C. 8:36-5.2(h) requires **8 hours of initial
dementia-specific training** for special care unit staff and **4
hours of annual continuing education** .
NEW JERSEY CERTIFIED ASSISTED
LIVING ADMINISTRATOR (CALA) EXAM —
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS AND COMPLETE RATIONALES
## SECTION 1: REGULATORY COMPLIANCE & N.J.A.C. 8:36
**1. Under N.J.A.C. 8:36, an assisted living resident who
requires intermittent nursing services but does not require 24-
hour skilled nursing care:**
A. Must be transferred to a nursing home within 7 days
B. May continue to reside in assisted living with appropriate
services and documentation
C. Requires a physician's order for transfer to a hospital
D. Automatically qualifies for the Assisted Living Program (ALP)
without additional assessment
**Correct answer:** B
**Rationale:** N.J.A.C. 8:36-4.1(b) supports aging in place;
residents may receive intermittent nursing services as long as
the facility can meet their needs safely and document the care
plan. Automatic transfer is not mandated for intermittent nursing
needs—only when needs exceed facility capacity .
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**2. Which of the following is a required component of the
assisted living facility's written admission agreement under
N.J.A.C. 8:36-4.2?**
A. A guarantee that the resident will never be discharged
B. The facility's policy on room changes and the circumstances
under which they may occur
C. A waiver of the resident's right to appeal discharge decisions
D. A fixed monthly rate that cannot be adjusted for any reason
**Correct answer:** B
**Rationale:** N.J.A.C. 8:36-4.2(c) specifically requires
disclosure of policies regarding room changes, including
circumstances and notice requirements. Facilities cannot
guarantee against discharge when residents' needs exceed
capabilities, and waivers of statutory rights are void under NJ
law .
**3. Under N.J.A.C. 8:36, the minimum square footage
requirement for a single-occupancy resident room in an
assisted living facility is:**
A. 100 square feet
B. 150 square feet
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C. 200 square feet
D. 250 square feet
**Correct answer:** B
**Rationale:** N.J.A.C. 8:36-9.2(a)1 requires single-occupancy
resident rooms to provide a minimum of **150 square feet** of
floor space, excluding closets and private bathroom areas .
**4. An assisted living facility in New Jersey must provide how
many hours of dementia-specific training for all direct care staff
who work in an Alzheimer's special care unit?**
A. 4 hours annually
B. 8 hours initially and 4 hours annually
C. 16 hours initially and 8 hours annually
D. 24 hours initially with no ongoing requirement
**Correct answer:** B
**Rationale:** N.J.A.C. 8:36-5.2(h) requires **8 hours of initial
dementia-specific training** for special care unit staff and **4
hours of annual continuing education** .
