Certified Assisted Living Administrator (CALA)
Licensing Examination ACTUAL EXAM
2026/2027 | 100 Questions | New Jersey
Department of Health | Verified Q&A | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
[DOMAIN 1: REGULATORY COMPLIANCE & NJ ADMINISTRATIVE CODE (N.J.A.C. 8:36) — QUESTIONS 1-
20]
Q1
Under N.J.A.C. 8:36, an assisted living resident who requires intermittent nursing services but does not
require 24-hour skilled nursing care:
A. Must be transferred to a nursing home within 7 days
B. May continue to reside in assisted living with appropriate services and documentation [CORRECT]
C. Requires a physician's order for transfer to a hospital
D. Automatically qualifies for the Assisted Living Program (ALP) without additional assessment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:36-4.1(b) supports aging in place; residents may receive intermittent nursing
services as long as the facility can meet their needs safely and document the care plan. A is incorrect
because NJ does not mandate automatic transfer for intermittent nursing needs—only when needs
exceed facility capacity. C is incorrect because hospital transfer requires clinical indication, not merely
nursing need. D is incorrect because ALP eligibility requires additional financial eligibility determination
through Medicaid and clinical assessment beyond basic assisted living admission.
Q2
Which of the following is a required component of the assisted living facility's written admission
agreement under N.J.A.C. 8:36-4.2?
A. A guarantee that the resident will never be discharged
B. The facility's policy on room changes and the circumstances under which they may occur [CORRECT]
,C. A waiver of the resident's right to appeal discharge decisions
D. A fixed monthly rate that cannot be adjusted for any reason
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:36-4.2(c) specifically requires disclosure of policies regarding room changes,
including circumstances and notice requirements. A is incorrect because facilities cannot guarantee
against discharge when residents' needs exceed facility capabilities. C is incorrect because waivers of
statutory rights are void under NJ law, and N.J.A.C. 8:36-4.7 guarantees appeal rights. D is incorrect
because rates may be adjusted with proper notice for changes in care levels or cost increases.
Q3
Under N.J.A.C. 8:36, the minimum square footage requirement for a single-occupancy resident room in
an assisted living facility is:
A. 100 square feet
B. 150 square feet [CORRECT]
C. 200 square feet
D. 250 square feet
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:36-9.2(a)1 requires single-occupancy resident rooms to provide a minimum of 150
square feet of floor space, excluding closets and private bathroom areas. A is below the minimum
standard. C and D exceed the minimum requirement but are not the regulatory floor.
Q4
An assisted living facility in New Jersey must provide how many hours of dementia-specific training for
all direct care staff who work in an Alzheimer's special care unit?
A. 4 hours annually
B. 8 hours initially and 4 hours annually [CORRECT]
C. 16 hours initially and 8 hours annually
D. 24 hours initially with no ongoing requirement
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:36-5.2(h) requires 8 hours of initial dementia-specific training for special care unit
staff and 4 hours of annual continuing education. A is insufficient for initial training. C exceeds the NJ
requirement (though some facilities may exceed minimums). D is incorrect because ongoing training is
mandatory.
,Q5
Under N.J.A.C. 8:36, which of the following individuals may NOT serve as an assisted living administrator
without obtaining specific additional licensure?
A. A registered nurse with 5 years of long-term care experience
B. A licensed nursing home administrator
C. A medical doctor with geriatric experience
D. An individual with a bachelor's degree in healthcare administration but no clinical license [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:36-3.1 requires assisted living administrators to be licensed nursing home
administrators, registered nurses, or physicians. A bachelor's degree alone does not qualify; the
individual must obtain nursing home administrator licensure. A, B, and C all meet the statutory
qualifications.
Q6
The New Jersey Department of Health must conduct an unannounced inspection of an assisted living
facility at least:
A. Every 6 months
B. Every 12 months
C. Every 18 months [CORRECT]
D. Every 24 months
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:36-2.4 requires DOH to conduct unannounced inspections at least every 18
months, though more frequent inspections may occur based on complaints or prior violations. A and B
are more frequent than required (though some facilities may be inspected more often). D exceeds the
maximum interval allowed.
Q7
Under N.J.A.C. 8:36, a facility's quality assurance program must include review of which of the following
at least quarterly?
A. Resident satisfaction surveys only
B. Medication errors, incident reports, and infection control data [CORRECT]
, C. Marketing materials and advertising effectiveness
D. Staff parking arrangements
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:36-2.5 mandates quarterly review of clinical quality indicators including medication
errors, incidents, accidents, infections, and other care-related data. A is incomplete (satisfaction is
important but clinical indicators are mandatory). C and D are not required components of the QA
program.
Q8
Which of the following statements regarding resident self-administration of medications in NJ assisted
living is CORRECT?
A. All residents must self-administer medications unless they are in a special care unit
B. Residents may self-administer if assessed as capable, and the assessment must be documented
[CORRECT]
C. Only licensed nurses may determine if a resident can self-administer
D. Self-administration is prohibited for all Schedule II controlled substances
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:36-7.3 permits self-administration when the resident is assessed as capable, with
documentation in the service plan; this assessment may be conducted by appropriate clinical staff per
facility policy. A is incorrect because many residents require medication administration assistance. C is
incorrect because physician or pharmacist assessment may also be acceptable depending on facility
protocol. D is incorrect because specific controlled substances may be self-administered with proper
safeguards and documentation.
Q9
Under N.J.A.C. 8:36, an assisted living facility must maintain resident records for a minimum of:
A. 3 years after discharge
B. 5 years after discharge
C. 7 years after discharge [CORRECT]
D. 10 years after discharge
Correct Answer: C
Licensing Examination ACTUAL EXAM
2026/2027 | 100 Questions | New Jersey
Department of Health | Verified Q&A | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
[DOMAIN 1: REGULATORY COMPLIANCE & NJ ADMINISTRATIVE CODE (N.J.A.C. 8:36) — QUESTIONS 1-
20]
Q1
Under N.J.A.C. 8:36, an assisted living resident who requires intermittent nursing services but does not
require 24-hour skilled nursing care:
A. Must be transferred to a nursing home within 7 days
B. May continue to reside in assisted living with appropriate services and documentation [CORRECT]
C. Requires a physician's order for transfer to a hospital
D. Automatically qualifies for the Assisted Living Program (ALP) without additional assessment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:36-4.1(b) supports aging in place; residents may receive intermittent nursing
services as long as the facility can meet their needs safely and document the care plan. A is incorrect
because NJ does not mandate automatic transfer for intermittent nursing needs—only when needs
exceed facility capacity. C is incorrect because hospital transfer requires clinical indication, not merely
nursing need. D is incorrect because ALP eligibility requires additional financial eligibility determination
through Medicaid and clinical assessment beyond basic assisted living admission.
Q2
Which of the following is a required component of the assisted living facility's written admission
agreement under N.J.A.C. 8:36-4.2?
A. A guarantee that the resident will never be discharged
B. The facility's policy on room changes and the circumstances under which they may occur [CORRECT]
,C. A waiver of the resident's right to appeal discharge decisions
D. A fixed monthly rate that cannot be adjusted for any reason
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:36-4.2(c) specifically requires disclosure of policies regarding room changes,
including circumstances and notice requirements. A is incorrect because facilities cannot guarantee
against discharge when residents' needs exceed facility capabilities. C is incorrect because waivers of
statutory rights are void under NJ law, and N.J.A.C. 8:36-4.7 guarantees appeal rights. D is incorrect
because rates may be adjusted with proper notice for changes in care levels or cost increases.
Q3
Under N.J.A.C. 8:36, the minimum square footage requirement for a single-occupancy resident room in
an assisted living facility is:
A. 100 square feet
B. 150 square feet [CORRECT]
C. 200 square feet
D. 250 square feet
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:36-9.2(a)1 requires single-occupancy resident rooms to provide a minimum of 150
square feet of floor space, excluding closets and private bathroom areas. A is below the minimum
standard. C and D exceed the minimum requirement but are not the regulatory floor.
Q4
An assisted living facility in New Jersey must provide how many hours of dementia-specific training for
all direct care staff who work in an Alzheimer's special care unit?
A. 4 hours annually
B. 8 hours initially and 4 hours annually [CORRECT]
C. 16 hours initially and 8 hours annually
D. 24 hours initially with no ongoing requirement
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:36-5.2(h) requires 8 hours of initial dementia-specific training for special care unit
staff and 4 hours of annual continuing education. A is insufficient for initial training. C exceeds the NJ
requirement (though some facilities may exceed minimums). D is incorrect because ongoing training is
mandatory.
,Q5
Under N.J.A.C. 8:36, which of the following individuals may NOT serve as an assisted living administrator
without obtaining specific additional licensure?
A. A registered nurse with 5 years of long-term care experience
B. A licensed nursing home administrator
C. A medical doctor with geriatric experience
D. An individual with a bachelor's degree in healthcare administration but no clinical license [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:36-3.1 requires assisted living administrators to be licensed nursing home
administrators, registered nurses, or physicians. A bachelor's degree alone does not qualify; the
individual must obtain nursing home administrator licensure. A, B, and C all meet the statutory
qualifications.
Q6
The New Jersey Department of Health must conduct an unannounced inspection of an assisted living
facility at least:
A. Every 6 months
B. Every 12 months
C. Every 18 months [CORRECT]
D. Every 24 months
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:36-2.4 requires DOH to conduct unannounced inspections at least every 18
months, though more frequent inspections may occur based on complaints or prior violations. A and B
are more frequent than required (though some facilities may be inspected more often). D exceeds the
maximum interval allowed.
Q7
Under N.J.A.C. 8:36, a facility's quality assurance program must include review of which of the following
at least quarterly?
A. Resident satisfaction surveys only
B. Medication errors, incident reports, and infection control data [CORRECT]
, C. Marketing materials and advertising effectiveness
D. Staff parking arrangements
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:36-2.5 mandates quarterly review of clinical quality indicators including medication
errors, incidents, accidents, infections, and other care-related data. A is incomplete (satisfaction is
important but clinical indicators are mandatory). C and D are not required components of the QA
program.
Q8
Which of the following statements regarding resident self-administration of medications in NJ assisted
living is CORRECT?
A. All residents must self-administer medications unless they are in a special care unit
B. Residents may self-administer if assessed as capable, and the assessment must be documented
[CORRECT]
C. Only licensed nurses may determine if a resident can self-administer
D. Self-administration is prohibited for all Schedule II controlled substances
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: N.J.A.C. 8:36-7.3 permits self-administration when the resident is assessed as capable, with
documentation in the service plan; this assessment may be conducted by appropriate clinical staff per
facility policy. A is incorrect because many residents require medication administration assistance. C is
incorrect because physician or pharmacist assessment may also be acceptable depending on facility
protocol. D is incorrect because specific controlled substances may be self-administered with proper
safeguards and documentation.
Q9
Under N.J.A.C. 8:36, an assisted living facility must maintain resident records for a minimum of:
A. 3 years after discharge
B. 5 years after discharge
C. 7 years after discharge [CORRECT]
D. 10 years after discharge
Correct Answer: C
