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Florida ALF Core Exam | Assisted Living Facility,
Florida Administrative Code, AHCA Regulations
Open-Ended Q&A with Rationales
Exam Structure:
Subject: Assisted Living Facility (ALF) Core Training / Florida Administrative Code /
AHCA Regulations
Source: Florida ALF Core Exam – 2026
Format: Open-ended questions with Correct Answers and rationales
1. Comprehensive emergency management plans are reviewed by:
Correct Answer: the county emergency management agency
Rationale:
1. The county emergency management agency reviews and approves ALF
emergency management plans annually.
2. Plans must address evacuation, sheltering, emergency food/water, and
power sources.
3. Review ensures plans align with county-wide emergency response
protocols.
2. Assisted Living facilities are licensed by:
Correct Answer: the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA)
Rationale:
1. AHCA is Florida's chief health policy and licensing agency for ALFs.
2. AHCA conducts biennial surveys to ensure regulatory compliance.
3. Licenses must be renewed every 2 years.
3. Allegations of abuse, neglect and exploitation are investigated by:
, 2|Page
Correct Answer: representatives of the Department of Children and
Families
Rationale:
1. DCF investigates reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable
adults in ALFs.
2. Reports can be made to the Florida Abuse Hotline (1-800-96-ABUSE).
3. DCF works with law enforcement and AHCA on substantiated cases.
4. Assisted Living facilities should be operated as:
Correct Answer: residential environments with supportive services
Rationale:
1. ALFs are designed to be home-like residential settings, not medical
institutions.
2. Supportive services include personal care, medication assistance, and
activities.
3. This philosophy promotes resident dignity, autonomy, and quality of life.
5. "Agency" as used in chapter 429, F.S. means:
Correct Answer: the Agency for Health Care Administration
Rationale:
1. Florida Statute Chapter 429 governs assisted living facilities.
2. "Agency" refers specifically to AHCA throughout the chapter.
3. This definition is found in the statutory language of 429.02.
6. To be eligible to receive a limited nursing services license:
Correct Answer: a facility must not have been subject to administrative
sanctions affecting the health, safety or welfare of residents in the past 24
months
Rationale:
1. LNS license eligibility requires a clean compliance record for 24 months.
2. Sanctions include fines, moratoriums, or license restrictions.
3. This requirement ensures facilities seeking higher care levels have
demonstrated quality care.
7. Providing "personal services" includes providing direct physical
assistance with or supervision of:
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Correct Answer: the self-administration of medication (NOT medication
administration)
Rationale:
1. Personal services include assistance with self-administration of
medication.
2. Medication administration (placing medication in the resident's mouth)
requires a licensed nurse.
3. The distinction is critical for scope of practice compliance.
8. The Department of Health is responsible for:
Correct Answer: sanitation inspections
Rationale:
1. DOH conducts sanitation inspections in ALFs, including food hygiene.
2. Local health departments perform these inspections.
3. Inspection reports are submitted to AHCA for licensing compliance.
9. Representatives from the local health departments are responsible
for:
Correct Answer: inspections related to food hygiene
Rationale:
1. Local health departments inspect ALF kitchens and food handling
practices.
2. Inspections ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
3. Violations are reported to AHCA for enforcement.
10. Facilities with extended congregate care licenses:
Correct Answer: may provide any service under the scope of the nurse's
license
Rationale:
1. ECC license permits nursing services at the full scope of the nurse's license.
2. ECC is the highest level of ALF care before skilled nursing.
3. Residents may require total assistance with ADLs.
11. Assisted living facilities with a standard license may:
Correct Answer: employ nurses to administer medications to residents
Rationale:
1. Standard license ALFs may employ nurses to administer medications.
, 4|Page
2. This does not require an LNS or ECC license.
3. Nurses must be licensed and working within their scope.
12. Any entity that provides housing, meals and one or more personal
services to more than 2 persons who are not relatives for a period
exceeding 24 hours must have an assisted living license unless:
Correct Answer: licensed as an Adult Family Care Home
Rationale:
1. Adult Family Care Homes (AFCH) serve up to 5 residents in the caregiver's
home.
2. AFCHs are licensed under different regulations than larger ALFs.
3. This exemption is specified in Florida law.
13. When a representative of the Department of Children and Families
or the Agency for Health Care or the Long Term Care Ombudsman
comes to your ALF:
Correct Answer: you may ask to see identification
Rationale:
1. Facility staff have the right to verify the identity of any inspector or
ombudsman.
2. Official identification must be presented upon request.
3. This protects the facility from unauthorized individuals.
14. Assisted living services should be provided:
Correct Answer: in a manner that promotes the dignity and individuality
of residents
Rationale:
1. Resident dignity is a core principle of ALF care.
2. Services should respect individual preferences, routines, and choices.
3. This includes allowing personal belongings and privacy.
15. Operating an unlicensed assisted living facility is:
Correct Answer: a third-degree felony
Rationale:
1. Unlicensed ALF operation is a third-degree felony under Florida law.
2. Each day of operation is a separate offense.
3. Penalties include fines, imprisonment, or both.
Florida ALF Core Exam | Assisted Living Facility,
Florida Administrative Code, AHCA Regulations
Open-Ended Q&A with Rationales
Exam Structure:
Subject: Assisted Living Facility (ALF) Core Training / Florida Administrative Code /
AHCA Regulations
Source: Florida ALF Core Exam – 2026
Format: Open-ended questions with Correct Answers and rationales
1. Comprehensive emergency management plans are reviewed by:
Correct Answer: the county emergency management agency
Rationale:
1. The county emergency management agency reviews and approves ALF
emergency management plans annually.
2. Plans must address evacuation, sheltering, emergency food/water, and
power sources.
3. Review ensures plans align with county-wide emergency response
protocols.
2. Assisted Living facilities are licensed by:
Correct Answer: the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA)
Rationale:
1. AHCA is Florida's chief health policy and licensing agency for ALFs.
2. AHCA conducts biennial surveys to ensure regulatory compliance.
3. Licenses must be renewed every 2 years.
3. Allegations of abuse, neglect and exploitation are investigated by:
, 2|Page
Correct Answer: representatives of the Department of Children and
Families
Rationale:
1. DCF investigates reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable
adults in ALFs.
2. Reports can be made to the Florida Abuse Hotline (1-800-96-ABUSE).
3. DCF works with law enforcement and AHCA on substantiated cases.
4. Assisted Living facilities should be operated as:
Correct Answer: residential environments with supportive services
Rationale:
1. ALFs are designed to be home-like residential settings, not medical
institutions.
2. Supportive services include personal care, medication assistance, and
activities.
3. This philosophy promotes resident dignity, autonomy, and quality of life.
5. "Agency" as used in chapter 429, F.S. means:
Correct Answer: the Agency for Health Care Administration
Rationale:
1. Florida Statute Chapter 429 governs assisted living facilities.
2. "Agency" refers specifically to AHCA throughout the chapter.
3. This definition is found in the statutory language of 429.02.
6. To be eligible to receive a limited nursing services license:
Correct Answer: a facility must not have been subject to administrative
sanctions affecting the health, safety or welfare of residents in the past 24
months
Rationale:
1. LNS license eligibility requires a clean compliance record for 24 months.
2. Sanctions include fines, moratoriums, or license restrictions.
3. This requirement ensures facilities seeking higher care levels have
demonstrated quality care.
7. Providing "personal services" includes providing direct physical
assistance with or supervision of:
, 3|Page
Correct Answer: the self-administration of medication (NOT medication
administration)
Rationale:
1. Personal services include assistance with self-administration of
medication.
2. Medication administration (placing medication in the resident's mouth)
requires a licensed nurse.
3. The distinction is critical for scope of practice compliance.
8. The Department of Health is responsible for:
Correct Answer: sanitation inspections
Rationale:
1. DOH conducts sanitation inspections in ALFs, including food hygiene.
2. Local health departments perform these inspections.
3. Inspection reports are submitted to AHCA for licensing compliance.
9. Representatives from the local health departments are responsible
for:
Correct Answer: inspections related to food hygiene
Rationale:
1. Local health departments inspect ALF kitchens and food handling
practices.
2. Inspections ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
3. Violations are reported to AHCA for enforcement.
10. Facilities with extended congregate care licenses:
Correct Answer: may provide any service under the scope of the nurse's
license
Rationale:
1. ECC license permits nursing services at the full scope of the nurse's license.
2. ECC is the highest level of ALF care before skilled nursing.
3. Residents may require total assistance with ADLs.
11. Assisted living facilities with a standard license may:
Correct Answer: employ nurses to administer medications to residents
Rationale:
1. Standard license ALFs may employ nurses to administer medications.
, 4|Page
2. This does not require an LNS or ECC license.
3. Nurses must be licensed and working within their scope.
12. Any entity that provides housing, meals and one or more personal
services to more than 2 persons who are not relatives for a period
exceeding 24 hours must have an assisted living license unless:
Correct Answer: licensed as an Adult Family Care Home
Rationale:
1. Adult Family Care Homes (AFCH) serve up to 5 residents in the caregiver's
home.
2. AFCHs are licensed under different regulations than larger ALFs.
3. This exemption is specified in Florida law.
13. When a representative of the Department of Children and Families
or the Agency for Health Care or the Long Term Care Ombudsman
comes to your ALF:
Correct Answer: you may ask to see identification
Rationale:
1. Facility staff have the right to verify the identity of any inspector or
ombudsman.
2. Official identification must be presented upon request.
3. This protects the facility from unauthorized individuals.
14. Assisted living services should be provided:
Correct Answer: in a manner that promotes the dignity and individuality
of residents
Rationale:
1. Resident dignity is a core principle of ALF care.
2. Services should respect individual preferences, routines, and choices.
3. This includes allowing personal belongings and privacy.
15. Operating an unlicensed assisted living facility is:
Correct Answer: a third-degree felony
Rationale:
1. Unlicensed ALF operation is a third-degree felony under Florida law.
2. Each day of operation is a separate offense.
3. Penalties include fines, imprisonment, or both.
