1
NJ CALA Certification Exam 2025/2026 –
Accurate Questions and Verified Correct
Answers | Latest Version
1. Resident Care and Services
1. According to N.J.A.C. 8:36, what is the minimum frequency for updating a resident’s
health service plan in an assisted living facility?
A. Monthly
B. Quarterly
C. Annually
D. Every two years
Answer: B. Quarterly
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:36-7.1 requires that a resident’s health service plan be
reviewed and updated at least quarterly to reflect changes in health status or care
needs, ensuring personalized and timely care.
2. A resident with dementia wanders into another resident’s room. What is the first action
the administrator should take?
A. Restrict the resident to their room
B. Assess the resident’s care plan for safety interventions
C. Contact the resident’s family
D. Install a facility-wide alarm system
Answer: B. Assess the resident’s care plan for safety interventions
Rationale: Assessing the care plan ensures individualized interventions, such as
increased supervision or environmental modifications, are implemented to address
wandering safely. Restricting movement (A) may violate rights, contacting family
(C) is secondary, and alarms (D) are a broader solution.
3. What must an assisted living facility provide for residents with dietary restrictions?
A. A single menu for all residents
B. Individualized meal plans based on medical needs
C. Only vegetarian options
D. Meals only during standard dining hours
Answer: B. Individualized meal plans based on medical needs
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:36-9.1 requires facilities to provide meals that meet
residents’ medical and dietary needs, ensuring safety and nutrition for conditions
like diabetes or allergies.
4. A resident refuses medication. What should the administrator ensure is done?
A. Force the resident to take the medication
B. Document the refusal and notify the healthcare provider
C. Discontinue the medication immediately
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D. Contact the resident’s family for permission to administer
Answer: B. Document the refusal and notify the healthcare provider
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:36-7.5 mandates documenting medication refusals and
notifying the healthcare provider to ensure resident rights are respected and care is
adjusted appropriately. Forcing medication (A) violates rights, discontinuing (C) is
unsafe, and family permission (D) is not required.
5. What is the purpose of a resident’s service agreement in an assisted living facility?
A. To outline the facility’s financial policies only
B. To detail services, rights, and responsibilities
C. To serve as a medical record
D. To replace the health service plan
Answer: B. To detail services, rights, and responsibilities
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:36-4.1 requires a service agreement to outline services
provided, resident rights, and responsibilities of both the resident and facility,
ensuring transparency and mutual understanding.
2. New Jersey Regulatory Compliance
6. Per N.J.A.C. 8:36, what is the minimum staff-to-resident ratio for direct care staff during
the day shift?
A. 1:10
B. 1:15
C. 1:20
D. No specific ratio is mandated
Answer: D. No specific ratio is mandated
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:36-5.1 requires sufficient staffing to meet resident needs
but does not mandate a specific ratio, allowing flexibility based on resident acuity
and facility size.
7. What is required for an assisted living administrator under N.J.A.C. 8:34 to maintain
CALA certification?
A. 20 hours of continuing education annually
B. 30 hours of continuing education biennially
C. Recertification exam every 5 years
D. No continuing education is required
Answer: B. 30 hours of continuing education biennially
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:34-7.3 requires CALA-certified administrators to
complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain certification
and stay updated on regulations.
8. Which agency oversees assisted living facility licensure in New Jersey?
A. Department of Human Services
B. Department of Health
C. Division of Consumer Affairs
D. Department of Community Affairs
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Answer: B. Department of Health
Rationale: The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) oversees licensure
of assisted living facilities under N.J.A.C. 8:36, ensuring compliance with health and
safety standards.
9. What must an assisted living facility do if a resident’s condition changes significantly?
A. Discharge the resident immediately
B. Notify the NJDOH within 24 hours
C. Reassess and update the care plan
D. Request a family meeting only
Answer: C. Reassess and update the care plan
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:36-7.1 requires reassessment and updating of the care
plan when a resident’s condition changes to ensure appropriate care. Discharge (A)
is premature, notification (B) is not required within 24 hours, and family meetings
(D) are secondary.
10. Under N.J.A.C. 8:36, what is the maximum time a resident can be temporarily transferred
to another facility without a discharge?
A. 7 days
B. 14 days
C. 30 days
D. 60 days
Answer: C. 30 days
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:36-4.4 allows temporary transfers (e.g., for medical care)
up to 30 days without formal discharge, preserving the resident’s place in the
facility.
3. Staff Management and Training
11. What is the minimum training requirement for direct care staff in an assisted living
facility?
A. 20 hours of initial training
B. 30 hours of initial training
C. 40 hours of initial training
D. No initial training is required
Answer: A. 20 hours of initial training
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:36-5.3 requires direct care staff to complete at least 20
hours of initial training on topics like resident rights, safety, and care procedures.
12. A staff member fails to follow infection control protocols. What should the administrator
do first?
A. Terminate the employee
B. Provide retraining on infection control
C. Report the employee to the NJDOH
D. Restrict the employee’s resident contact
Answer: B. Provide retraining on infection control
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NJ CALA Certification Exam 2025/2026 –
Accurate Questions and Verified Correct
Answers | Latest Version
1. Resident Care and Services
1. According to N.J.A.C. 8:36, what is the minimum frequency for updating a resident’s
health service plan in an assisted living facility?
A. Monthly
B. Quarterly
C. Annually
D. Every two years
Answer: B. Quarterly
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:36-7.1 requires that a resident’s health service plan be
reviewed and updated at least quarterly to reflect changes in health status or care
needs, ensuring personalized and timely care.
2. A resident with dementia wanders into another resident’s room. What is the first action
the administrator should take?
A. Restrict the resident to their room
B. Assess the resident’s care plan for safety interventions
C. Contact the resident’s family
D. Install a facility-wide alarm system
Answer: B. Assess the resident’s care plan for safety interventions
Rationale: Assessing the care plan ensures individualized interventions, such as
increased supervision or environmental modifications, are implemented to address
wandering safely. Restricting movement (A) may violate rights, contacting family
(C) is secondary, and alarms (D) are a broader solution.
3. What must an assisted living facility provide for residents with dietary restrictions?
A. A single menu for all residents
B. Individualized meal plans based on medical needs
C. Only vegetarian options
D. Meals only during standard dining hours
Answer: B. Individualized meal plans based on medical needs
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:36-9.1 requires facilities to provide meals that meet
residents’ medical and dietary needs, ensuring safety and nutrition for conditions
like diabetes or allergies.
4. A resident refuses medication. What should the administrator ensure is done?
A. Force the resident to take the medication
B. Document the refusal and notify the healthcare provider
C. Discontinue the medication immediately
Page 1 of 17
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D. Contact the resident’s family for permission to administer
Answer: B. Document the refusal and notify the healthcare provider
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:36-7.5 mandates documenting medication refusals and
notifying the healthcare provider to ensure resident rights are respected and care is
adjusted appropriately. Forcing medication (A) violates rights, discontinuing (C) is
unsafe, and family permission (D) is not required.
5. What is the purpose of a resident’s service agreement in an assisted living facility?
A. To outline the facility’s financial policies only
B. To detail services, rights, and responsibilities
C. To serve as a medical record
D. To replace the health service plan
Answer: B. To detail services, rights, and responsibilities
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:36-4.1 requires a service agreement to outline services
provided, resident rights, and responsibilities of both the resident and facility,
ensuring transparency and mutual understanding.
2. New Jersey Regulatory Compliance
6. Per N.J.A.C. 8:36, what is the minimum staff-to-resident ratio for direct care staff during
the day shift?
A. 1:10
B. 1:15
C. 1:20
D. No specific ratio is mandated
Answer: D. No specific ratio is mandated
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:36-5.1 requires sufficient staffing to meet resident needs
but does not mandate a specific ratio, allowing flexibility based on resident acuity
and facility size.
7. What is required for an assisted living administrator under N.J.A.C. 8:34 to maintain
CALA certification?
A. 20 hours of continuing education annually
B. 30 hours of continuing education biennially
C. Recertification exam every 5 years
D. No continuing education is required
Answer: B. 30 hours of continuing education biennially
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:34-7.3 requires CALA-certified administrators to
complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain certification
and stay updated on regulations.
8. Which agency oversees assisted living facility licensure in New Jersey?
A. Department of Human Services
B. Department of Health
C. Division of Consumer Affairs
D. Department of Community Affairs
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Answer: B. Department of Health
Rationale: The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) oversees licensure
of assisted living facilities under N.J.A.C. 8:36, ensuring compliance with health and
safety standards.
9. What must an assisted living facility do if a resident’s condition changes significantly?
A. Discharge the resident immediately
B. Notify the NJDOH within 24 hours
C. Reassess and update the care plan
D. Request a family meeting only
Answer: C. Reassess and update the care plan
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:36-7.1 requires reassessment and updating of the care
plan when a resident’s condition changes to ensure appropriate care. Discharge (A)
is premature, notification (B) is not required within 24 hours, and family meetings
(D) are secondary.
10. Under N.J.A.C. 8:36, what is the maximum time a resident can be temporarily transferred
to another facility without a discharge?
A. 7 days
B. 14 days
C. 30 days
D. 60 days
Answer: C. 30 days
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:36-4.4 allows temporary transfers (e.g., for medical care)
up to 30 days without formal discharge, preserving the resident’s place in the
facility.
3. Staff Management and Training
11. What is the minimum training requirement for direct care staff in an assisted living
facility?
A. 20 hours of initial training
B. 30 hours of initial training
C. 40 hours of initial training
D. No initial training is required
Answer: A. 20 hours of initial training
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:36-5.3 requires direct care staff to complete at least 20
hours of initial training on topics like resident rights, safety, and care procedures.
12. A staff member fails to follow infection control protocols. What should the administrator
do first?
A. Terminate the employee
B. Provide retraining on infection control
C. Report the employee to the NJDOH
D. Restrict the employee’s resident contact
Answer: B. Provide retraining on infection control
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