ALF CORE TRAINING FLORIDA
EXAM 2026/2027 | Study Guide with
200+ Questions and Answers
SECTION A: LICENSING, REGULATORY FRAMEWORK & AHCA
AUTHORITY
Questions 1–22
Question 1
A prospective ALF administrator asks which Florida agency is responsible for
licensing and regulatory inspection of assisted living facilities.
A. Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA)
B. Department of Health (DOH)
C. Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA)
D. Department of Children and Families (DCF)
Correct Answer: C) Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA)
Rationale: AHCA is the primary regulatory agency for ALFs in Florida,
responsible for licensing, inspections, and enforcement of Chapter 429, F.S., and
the applicable administrative rules. The Department of Elder Affairs administers
the ALF Core Training program and maintains the training provider list but does
not perform regulatory inspections. The Department of Health licenses clinical
professionals, and DCF investigates abuse allegations—neither is the licensing
authority for ALFs.
Question 2
An administrator is hired by an ALF that holds a standard license. By what
deadline must the administrator complete the required core training and
competency test?
,A. Within 30 days
B. Within 60 days
C. Within 90 days
D. Within 180 days
Correct Answer: C) Within 90 days
Rationale: Florida law requires a new ALF administrator to complete the
required core training, including the competency test, no later than 90 days after
becoming employed as a facility administrator. Failure to complete this
requirement within the 90-day period constitutes a violation of statutory
requirements.
Question 3
Which Florida Administrative Code chapter contains the specific licensing and
operational standards for Assisted Living Facilities?
A. 59A-4
B. 58A-5 (now 59A-36)
C. 59A-35
D. 64B-8
Correct Answer: B) 58A-5 (now 59A-36)
Rationale: The ALF-specific licensing and operational standards are contained
in Chapter 58A-5, Florida Administrative Code, which has been renumbered as
Chapter 59A-36. Chapter 59A-4 applies to nursing homes, Chapter 59A-35 is the
general health care licensing rule, and Chapter 64B-8 relates to other professions.
Question 4
What is the minimum passing score for the Florida ALF Core Competency Exam?
A. 65%
B. 70%
,C. 75%
D. 80%
Correct Answer: C) 75%
Rationale: Florida law requires ALF administrators to achieve a passing score
of 75% or better on the state core competency exam. Successful completion of core
training is not based solely on attending the required training hours; the
administrator must also pass the competency test with a score of at least 75%.
Question 5
How many hours of core training must a prospective ALF administrator complete
before being eligible to take the state competency exam?
A. 12 hours
B. 20 hours
C. 26 hours
D. 40 hours
Correct Answer: C) 26 hours
Rationale: Florida requires a minimum of 26 hours of core training plus a
competency test. The 26-hour curriculum covers state law and rules, resident
rights, special needs populations, nutrition, medication management, fire safety,
and Alzheimer's care.
Question 6
An ALF administrator has successfully completed core training but failed to
maintain the required continuing education. What is the regulatory consequence?
A. Only one additional continuing-education hour is required
B. The administrator can continue indefinitely without additional training
C. The administrator must retake core training and retake and pass the competency
test
D. The administrator is permanently exempt from core training
, Correct Answer: C) The administrator must retake core training and
retake and pass the competency test
Rationale: Maintaining continuing education is part of remaining compliant
with ALF administrator requirements. When an administrator has completed core
training but has not maintained the required continuing education, the
administrator must retake the core training and retake and pass the competency
test.
Question 7
Under Florida law, an ALF administrator must be at least what age?
A. 18 years of age
B. 19 years of age
C. 21 years of age
D. 25 years of age
Correct 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.
Question 8
An ALF administrator in Florida is reviewing the facility's license status after a
change in ownership. The new owner plans to continue operations under the same
license number. According to Florida law, what action is required?
A. No action is needed if the physical plant remains unchanged
B. The previous owner's license automatically transfers after 30 days
C. Only a local business tax receipt needs updating
D. The new owner must apply for a change of ownership and obtain AHCA
approval before assuming control
EXAM 2026/2027 | Study Guide with
200+ Questions and Answers
SECTION A: LICENSING, REGULATORY FRAMEWORK & AHCA
AUTHORITY
Questions 1–22
Question 1
A prospective ALF administrator asks which Florida agency is responsible for
licensing and regulatory inspection of assisted living facilities.
A. Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA)
B. Department of Health (DOH)
C. Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA)
D. Department of Children and Families (DCF)
Correct Answer: C) Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA)
Rationale: AHCA is the primary regulatory agency for ALFs in Florida,
responsible for licensing, inspections, and enforcement of Chapter 429, F.S., and
the applicable administrative rules. The Department of Elder Affairs administers
the ALF Core Training program and maintains the training provider list but does
not perform regulatory inspections. The Department of Health licenses clinical
professionals, and DCF investigates abuse allegations—neither is the licensing
authority for ALFs.
Question 2
An administrator is hired by an ALF that holds a standard license. By what
deadline must the administrator complete the required core training and
competency test?
,A. Within 30 days
B. Within 60 days
C. Within 90 days
D. Within 180 days
Correct Answer: C) Within 90 days
Rationale: Florida law requires a new ALF administrator to complete the
required core training, including the competency test, no later than 90 days after
becoming employed as a facility administrator. Failure to complete this
requirement within the 90-day period constitutes a violation of statutory
requirements.
Question 3
Which Florida Administrative Code chapter contains the specific licensing and
operational standards for Assisted Living Facilities?
A. 59A-4
B. 58A-5 (now 59A-36)
C. 59A-35
D. 64B-8
Correct Answer: B) 58A-5 (now 59A-36)
Rationale: The ALF-specific licensing and operational standards are contained
in Chapter 58A-5, Florida Administrative Code, which has been renumbered as
Chapter 59A-36. Chapter 59A-4 applies to nursing homes, Chapter 59A-35 is the
general health care licensing rule, and Chapter 64B-8 relates to other professions.
Question 4
What is the minimum passing score for the Florida ALF Core Competency Exam?
A. 65%
B. 70%
,C. 75%
D. 80%
Correct Answer: C) 75%
Rationale: Florida law requires ALF administrators to achieve a passing score
of 75% or better on the state core competency exam. Successful completion of core
training is not based solely on attending the required training hours; the
administrator must also pass the competency test with a score of at least 75%.
Question 5
How many hours of core training must a prospective ALF administrator complete
before being eligible to take the state competency exam?
A. 12 hours
B. 20 hours
C. 26 hours
D. 40 hours
Correct Answer: C) 26 hours
Rationale: Florida requires a minimum of 26 hours of core training plus a
competency test. The 26-hour curriculum covers state law and rules, resident
rights, special needs populations, nutrition, medication management, fire safety,
and Alzheimer's care.
Question 6
An ALF administrator has successfully completed core training but failed to
maintain the required continuing education. What is the regulatory consequence?
A. Only one additional continuing-education hour is required
B. The administrator can continue indefinitely without additional training
C. The administrator must retake core training and retake and pass the competency
test
D. The administrator is permanently exempt from core training
, Correct Answer: C) The administrator must retake core training and
retake and pass the competency test
Rationale: Maintaining continuing education is part of remaining compliant
with ALF administrator requirements. When an administrator has completed core
training but has not maintained the required continuing education, the
administrator must retake the core training and retake and pass the competency
test.
Question 7
Under Florida law, an ALF administrator must be at least what age?
A. 18 years of age
B. 19 years of age
C. 21 years of age
D. 25 years of age
Correct 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.
Question 8
An ALF administrator in Florida is reviewing the facility's license status after a
change in ownership. The new owner plans to continue operations under the same
license number. According to Florida law, what action is required?
A. No action is needed if the physical plant remains unchanged
B. The previous owner's license automatically transfers after 30 days
C. Only a local business tax receipt needs updating
D. The new owner must apply for a change of ownership and obtain AHCA
approval before assuming control
