Nursing Home Administrator Licensure Program Initial Application

Initial Licensure

Process for applicants who do not currently hold a nursing home administrator license in New York State including out-of-state nursing home administrator license holders.

1. Nursing Home Administrator Licensure Application

The first step in the nursing home administrator licensure process is the submission of an Application (Form DOH-641), along with all supporting documentation, including either an Addendum A (PDF) (Administrator-In-Training Program form) or an Addendum B (PDF) (Qualifying Field Experience form). These documents will be accompanied by a $40 check or money order made payable to the New York State Department of Health, addressed to:

  • New York State Department of Health
    Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators
    Bureau of Professional Credentialing
    875 Central Avenue
    Albany, New York 12206

2. Supporting Documentation to the Application

All applicants must submit the following:

  1. A copy of your Social Security card to verify your social security number
  2. A copy of one identification form to verify your age (driver's license, ID card for non-drivers, passport or birth certificate)
  3. Transcripts - Contact your academic institution(s) requesting official transcript(s) be sent directly to the Department or by e-script to profcred@health.ny.gov by the institution.
  4. Inclusion of either Addendum A or Addendum B (not both) along with the required documentation for each form.

A. (Addendum A) Administrator-In-Training Program

This is a full-time internship completed in a qualifying nursing facility under the supervision of a qualified preceptor within the last 10 years. Please see our Administrator-In-Training Program (Internship) Guidelines page and our Qualifications page for detailed information and reductions based on your experience and/or education. Pre-approval is required.

All Addendum As must include the following:

  • Program plan - Participation in the Administrator-In-Training Program requires the advance written approval of the Board. The training sites, preceptors and interns must meet specific criteria to be approved by submitting a description of the learning activities for each module (including goals and objectives) at least eight weeks prior to the desired start date of the internship.
  • Organizational chart - A current organizational chart for the training site identifying the incumbents in all positions at the department head level and above, must be submitted.

or

B. (Addendum B) Qualifying Field Experience

This is experience on the staff of a qualifying health care facility in an administrative position above the department-head level, but not above the Administrator-of-Record, requiring active participation in the administration, direction and operation of the facility, within the last five years.Please see our Qualifications page for additional requirements and reductions based on your experience and/or education. No pre-approval is required.

All Addendum Bs must include the following:

  • Proof of salary and title - Documents must be provided with job title and salary (such as a payroll report or paystubs)
  • Organization chart - An organization chart on facility letterhead signed and dated by the administrator-of-record or authorized representative of human resources is required.
  • Job description - A job description on facility letterhead signed and dated by the administrator-of-record or authorized representative of Human resources is required.

3. Nursing Home Administrator Licensing Examination

Once your application is approved and all qualifications are met, the Department will notify you that you are eligible to sit for the examination developed by the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards

4. Registration

After you have successfully passed both components of the Nursing Home Administrator Licensing Examination, you can register for licensure with the Department by completing the Application for Registration as a Nursing Home Administrator (PDF) (DOH-642). No additional fee is required for initial registration.

Out-of-State Nursing Home Administrator License Holders

There is no reciprocity for licensed nursing home administrators in New York State. The following information applies to administrators with two or more years of service as the full-time Administrator-of-Record of an out-of-state nursing facility. If you do not have this experience, please proceed with an Initial Application.

To be considered for licensure, you must submit the Application (PDF) and Addendum B (PDF).Please see above for the supporting documents required with these forms. Out-of-State verification and score transfer (see below) are required to demonstrate that you meet the following licensure qualifications and requirements established by the Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators in New York State. The application and supporting documents must be accompanied by a $40 check or money order.

The following requirements must be met for administrator licenses held in other states to be considered for licensure in New York. Please see our Qualifications page for additional details.

  • Age: Being 21 years old or older
  • Character and Suitability: Being in good moral character and suitability
  • Education: Holding a Bachelor's (or higher level) Degree from an accredited educational institution including (or supplemented by) 15 credit hours of specific education. Two or more years of service as the full-time Administrator-of-Record of an out-of-state nursing facility within the last five years may be substituted to satisfy the 15-credit hour education requirement.
  • Field Experience: Providing (Addendum B) from the applicant's employer(s) that the applicant has full-time (at least 35 hours per week) experience of at least two (2) years in the preceding five (5) years, as the Administrator of Record (AOR) in an out-of-state nursing home.
  • Examination: Applicants must have a passing scale score on the national Nursing Home Administrator Licensing exam. This can be verified through by existing State licensing board and/or by a score transfer request (see below).

Out-of-state Verifications and Score Transfers

Out-of-state applicants must provide verifications to document eligibility. The verification must demonstrate that the candidate is in "good standing" proving that all other nursing home administrator licenses have not been suspended, revoked or otherwise restricted for any reason. Administrators with licenses held in other states should have a passing national Nursing Home Administrator Licensing exam scale score. Most candidates require verification from both their out-of-state licensing board and an official score transfer.

  • Licensing Board Verification: All verifications must be in the form of a letter on official letterhead (affixed with a state seal) and include as much of the following information available: your name, license number, date license issued, examination taken, examination date, examination score (raw score and scale score), registration status, expiration date and disciplinary action (if any).
  • Score Transfers: Candidates can request a score transfer directly from the NAB testing company. While an exam score will automatically be reported to the jurisdiction for which the exam was taken, a request will need to transfer your scores to additional states. Please contact NAB directly for information and applicable fees..