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Nursing Home Administrator — NHA/NAB
Nursing home administrator licensing is federally mandated under OBRA '87, requiring completion of an Administrator-in-Training (AIT) program, passing the NAB national examination, and meeting state-specific education and experience requirements. Requirements for degree level, AIT hours, and continuing education vary by jurisdiction.
51
Total States
51
Require License
51
Require NAB
33.6 hrs
Avg CE Hours
Nursing home administrator licensure involves completing education requirements, an Administrator-in-Training program, passing national and state examinations, and meeting ongoing continuing education requirements.
The NAB (National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards) examination is required by approximately 45 states. It covers five domains: resident care management, human resources, financial management, governance and management, and environmental management. A scaled score of 113 is required to pass.
All states require completion of an AIT program ranging from 480 to 2,000 hours. The AIT provides supervised practical experience in a licensed nursing facility under a licensed preceptor, covering all aspects of facility administration including regulatory compliance, financial management, and resident care.
Under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (OBRA '87), all states must license nursing home administrators. Licensed NHAs are responsible for the overall management of skilled nursing facilities, including patient care, staffing, budgets, and regulatory compliance with federal and state standards.
Side-by-side fees, hours, exams, and timelines across all 50 states. Sort by cost, hours, or any column.
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Click any state to see full requirements, costs, and step-by-step instructions →
| State | License Req. | NAB Req. | CE Hours | Total Fees | Confidence | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | Yes | Yes | 24 | $300 | high | March 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | Yes | Yes | 30 | $375 | high | March 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | Yes | Yes | 50 | $550 | high | March 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | Yes | Yes | 20 | $200 | high | March 2026 |
| California(CA) | Yes | Yes | 40 | $554 | high | March 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | Yes | Yes | 40 | $350 | high | March 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | Yes | Yes | 40 | $400 | high | March 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | Yes | Yes | 48 | $243 | high | March 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | Yes | Yes | 40 | $356 | high | March 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | Yes | Yes | 40 | $500 | high | March 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | Yes | Yes | 40 | $200 | high | March 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | Yes | Yes | 40 | $222 | high | March 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | Yes | Yes | 12 | $400 | high | March 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | Yes | Yes | 36 | $250 | high | March 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | Yes | Yes | 40 | $200 (application $100 + licensure $100) | high | March 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | Yes | Yes | 40 | $120 | high | March 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | Yes | Yes | 50 | $100 (single licensure fee listed) | high | March 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | Yes | Yes | 30 | $125 | high | March 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | Yes | Yes | 18 | $1,095 | high | March 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | Yes | Yes | 24 | $275 | high | March 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | Yes | Yes | 40 | $300 | high | March 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | Yes | Yes | 40 | $300 | high | March 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | Yes | Yes | 36 | $80.50 | high | March 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | Yes | Yes | 20 | $375 | high | March 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | Yes | Yes | 40 | $500 | high | March 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | Yes | Yes | 40 | $150 | high | March 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | Yes | Yes | 20 | $225 | high | March 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | Yes | Yes | 50 | $166 | high | March 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | Yes | Yes | 30 | $645 | high | March 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | Yes | Yes | 40 | $300 | high | March 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | Yes | Yes | 60 | $100 | high | March 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | Yes | Yes | 24 | $400 (application $200 + licensure $200) | high | March 2026 |
| New York(NY) | Yes | Yes | 48 | $80 | high | March 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | Yes | Yes | 30 | $900 | high | March 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | Yes | Yes | 20 | $250 | high | March 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | Yes | Yes | 20 | $250 (single original license fee per Rule 4751-1-10) | high | March 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | Yes | Yes | 24 | $300 | high | March 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | Yes | Yes | 20 | $230 | high | March 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | Yes | Yes | 48 | $40 | high | March 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | Yes | Yes | 40 | $160 | high | March 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | Yes | Yes | 20 | $375 | high | March 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | Yes | Yes | 40 | $400 | high | March 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | Yes | Yes | 18 | $460 | high | March 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | Yes | Yes | 40 | $350 | high | March 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | Yes | Yes | 40 | $120 | high | March 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | Yes | Yes | 40 | $200 | high | March 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | Yes | Yes | 20 | $315 | high | March 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | Yes | Yes | 36 | $715 | high | March 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | Yes | Yes | 20 | $600 | high | March 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | Yes | Yes | 24 | $90 | high | March 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | Yes | Yes | 25 | $300 | high | March 2026 |
Nursing home administrators often work alongside other licensed professionals. Explore related licensing requirements.