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Pennsylvania Personal Care Home Administrator Exam
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR-JUST RELEASED
Pennsylvania Personal Care Home Administrator Exam
Summarized PA Personal Care Home Administrator Exam Topics
• Licensing & Regulatory Framework (Chapter 2600) – Definition of a personal care home,
Department of Human Services (DHS) oversight, licensing requirements, license display,
inspection frequency (annual), operating without a license penalties (up to $10,000)
• Administrator Qualifications (2600.64) – Age requirement (21 years), 100-hour DHS-approved
training course, competency-based exam with passing score of 80%, 24 hours annual continuing
education, qualifications for administrators of homes serving 8 or fewer residents (HS
diploma/GED + 2 years experience)
• Resident Rights – Privacy, dignity, freedom from abuse/neglect, access to records (within 24
hours), right to voice grievances without retaliation, right to manage own finances or designate
representative, 72-hour contract rescission period
• Admission & Assessment – Medical evaluation within 90 days prior to admission, minimum age
18, initial and annual assessments, service plan (Individualized Service Plan/ISP) requirements
• Resident Care & Services (ADLs & IADLs) – Activities of Daily Living (eating, bathing, ambulating,
transferring, toileting, medication self-administration), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living
(laundry, shopping, finances, transportation)
• Medication Management – Medication administration by trained designated staff only,
physician approval for self-administration, storage requirements (controlled substances in
double-locked cabinet), medication administration records (MARs) retention (3 years minimum)
• Staffing Requirements – Minimum 30 hours per week on-site for administrator, overnight
awake staff, criminal background checks before hire, annual training on resident rights, staff-to-
resident ratios for residents with mobility needs
• Health & Safety – Fire drills quarterly, disaster preparedness plan (evacuation, communication,
resource coordination), emergency lighting for exit routes, inoperable fire alarm requires
immediate repair and notification
• Nutrition & Dietary – Three nutritious meals daily, menus planned in advance with variety, hot
foods at or above 140°F, dietary plan approved by licensed dietitian or nutritionist
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• Physical Environment – Maximum two residents per bedroom, resident rights posted
conspicuously, administrator's license publicly displayed
• Abuse & Neglect Prevention – Mandatory reporting, DHS investigation authority, signs of abuse
(unexplained bruises, weight loss), neglect defined as failure to provide necessary care including
hydration
• Resident Finances – Personal needs allowance ($85 for SSI recipients), refund within 2 business
days of discharge/transfer, resident funds returned within 30 days
• Quality Assurance & Recordkeeping – Internal audits annually, incident reports to DHS within
24 hours, service plan updates at least annually and when condition changes
• Ombudsman & Advocacy – Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (established under Older
Americans Act), resident councils meeting at least quarterly
• Resident Contract Requirements – 72-hour rescission period, written notice of
transfer/discharge
• Special Populations & Services – Care for residents with dementia (close/continuous
supervision), hospice services permitted if PCH provides services alongside hospice-directed
care, residents with mental illness or intellectual disability training requirements
• Direct Care Staff Examination Alternative – DHS provides skills competency exam for direct care
staff without HS diploma/GED (per Senate Bill 1103, 2024)
1. What is the primary purpose of a personal care home under Pennsylvania regulations?
A) Provide acute medical care
B) Provide personal care and supervision for residents
C) Conduct research studies
D) Serve as a rehabilitation hospital
Answer: B
Rationale: Personal care homes are designed to assist individuals with daily living activities while
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providing supervision. They are not intended for acute medical care, research, or rehabilitation. PCHs
are for adults who do not require nursing facility level of care .
2. Which of the following is required for a personal care home administrator license in Pennsylvania?
A) Bachelor’s degree in nursing
B) Completion of a state-approved training program
C) 10 years of healthcare experience
D) Certification as a physician
Answer: B
Rationale: Pennsylvania law requires completion of a state-approved administrator training program to
ensure knowledge of regulations and management skills. The training includes 100 hours of
standardized Department-approved content .
3. Which document outlines the policies and procedures of a personal care home?
A) Resident handbook
B) Financial statement
C) Administrative manual
D) Care plan
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Answer: C
Rationale: The administrative manual provides guidance on operational policies, procedures, and
regulatory compliance .
4. When must a personal care home report a resident's death to the state?
A) Within 24 hours
B) Within 48 hours
C) Within 7 days
D) Only at annual review
Answer: A
Rationale: The administrator must notify DHS of a resident death within 24 hours to ensure timely
regulatory oversight .
5. Under the Older Americans Act, which program advocates for residents of personal care homes?
A) Medicare
B) Long-term care ombudsman program
C) Medicaid
D) Social Security
Pennsylvania Personal Care Home Administrator Exam
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR-JUST RELEASED
Pennsylvania Personal Care Home Administrator Exam
Summarized PA Personal Care Home Administrator Exam Topics
• Licensing & Regulatory Framework (Chapter 2600) – Definition of a personal care home,
Department of Human Services (DHS) oversight, licensing requirements, license display,
inspection frequency (annual), operating without a license penalties (up to $10,000)
• Administrator Qualifications (2600.64) – Age requirement (21 years), 100-hour DHS-approved
training course, competency-based exam with passing score of 80%, 24 hours annual continuing
education, qualifications for administrators of homes serving 8 or fewer residents (HS
diploma/GED + 2 years experience)
• Resident Rights – Privacy, dignity, freedom from abuse/neglect, access to records (within 24
hours), right to voice grievances without retaliation, right to manage own finances or designate
representative, 72-hour contract rescission period
• Admission & Assessment – Medical evaluation within 90 days prior to admission, minimum age
18, initial and annual assessments, service plan (Individualized Service Plan/ISP) requirements
• Resident Care & Services (ADLs & IADLs) – Activities of Daily Living (eating, bathing, ambulating,
transferring, toileting, medication self-administration), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living
(laundry, shopping, finances, transportation)
• Medication Management – Medication administration by trained designated staff only,
physician approval for self-administration, storage requirements (controlled substances in
double-locked cabinet), medication administration records (MARs) retention (3 years minimum)
• Staffing Requirements – Minimum 30 hours per week on-site for administrator, overnight
awake staff, criminal background checks before hire, annual training on resident rights, staff-to-
resident ratios for residents with mobility needs
• Health & Safety – Fire drills quarterly, disaster preparedness plan (evacuation, communication,
resource coordination), emergency lighting for exit routes, inoperable fire alarm requires
immediate repair and notification
• Nutrition & Dietary – Three nutritious meals daily, menus planned in advance with variety, hot
foods at or above 140°F, dietary plan approved by licensed dietitian or nutritionist
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• Physical Environment – Maximum two residents per bedroom, resident rights posted
conspicuously, administrator's license publicly displayed
• Abuse & Neglect Prevention – Mandatory reporting, DHS investigation authority, signs of abuse
(unexplained bruises, weight loss), neglect defined as failure to provide necessary care including
hydration
• Resident Finances – Personal needs allowance ($85 for SSI recipients), refund within 2 business
days of discharge/transfer, resident funds returned within 30 days
• Quality Assurance & Recordkeeping – Internal audits annually, incident reports to DHS within
24 hours, service plan updates at least annually and when condition changes
• Ombudsman & Advocacy – Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (established under Older
Americans Act), resident councils meeting at least quarterly
• Resident Contract Requirements – 72-hour rescission period, written notice of
transfer/discharge
• Special Populations & Services – Care for residents with dementia (close/continuous
supervision), hospice services permitted if PCH provides services alongside hospice-directed
care, residents with mental illness or intellectual disability training requirements
• Direct Care Staff Examination Alternative – DHS provides skills competency exam for direct care
staff without HS diploma/GED (per Senate Bill 1103, 2024)
1. What is the primary purpose of a personal care home under Pennsylvania regulations?
A) Provide acute medical care
B) Provide personal care and supervision for residents
C) Conduct research studies
D) Serve as a rehabilitation hospital
Answer: B
Rationale: Personal care homes are designed to assist individuals with daily living activities while
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providing supervision. They are not intended for acute medical care, research, or rehabilitation. PCHs
are for adults who do not require nursing facility level of care .
2. Which of the following is required for a personal care home administrator license in Pennsylvania?
A) Bachelor’s degree in nursing
B) Completion of a state-approved training program
C) 10 years of healthcare experience
D) Certification as a physician
Answer: B
Rationale: Pennsylvania law requires completion of a state-approved administrator training program to
ensure knowledge of regulations and management skills. The training includes 100 hours of
standardized Department-approved content .
3. Which document outlines the policies and procedures of a personal care home?
A) Resident handbook
B) Financial statement
C) Administrative manual
D) Care plan
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Answer: C
Rationale: The administrative manual provides guidance on operational policies, procedures, and
regulatory compliance .
4. When must a personal care home report a resident's death to the state?
A) Within 24 hours
B) Within 48 hours
C) Within 7 days
D) Only at annual review
Answer: A
Rationale: The administrator must notify DHS of a resident death within 24 hours to ensure timely
regulatory oversight .
5. Under the Older Americans Act, which program advocates for residents of personal care homes?
A) Medicare
B) Long-term care ombudsman program
C) Medicaid
D) Social Security
