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Pennsylvania Personal Care Home Administrator
(PCHA) Exam ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
Pennsylvania Personal Care Home Administrator (PCHA) Exam. The questions cover all major content
areas based on 55 Pa. Code Chapter 2600 and official exam subject guidelines .
SUMMARIZED EXAM COVERAGE (POINT FORM)
Regulatory Framework & Licensing
• 55 Pa. Code Chapter 2600 – Personal Care Homes
• 100-hour state-approved administrator training course
• Competency-based training test with passing score
• Administrator qualifications (RN, LPN + 1 year, Associate's degree, Nursing Home Administrator
license, or HS diploma + 2 years for homes ≤8 residents)
• Minimum age 21
• 24 hours annual training requirement
• Department of Human Services (DHS) inspection – annually
Resident Care & Services
• ADLs/IADLs definitions and assistance
• Individualized Service Plans (ISP) – at admission and updated at least annually
• Medical evaluation – within 30 days prior to admission
• Admission criteria – must not require skilled nursing care
• Personal needs allowance – $85 for SSI residents
• Contract rescission period – 72 hours
Resident Rights
• Right to privacy, dignity, and freedom from abuse
• Right to access records within 24 hours
• Posting of resident rights in conspicuous location
• Right to file complaints without retaliation
• Resident councils – quarterly meetings
Staffing & Training
• Administrator on-site at least 30 hours weekly
• Staff criminal background checks – before hire
• Required training topics: fire safety, medication procedures, CPR/first aid, resident rights, abuse
prevention, infection control
• Overnight staffing – awake staff person present
Health, Safety & Environment
• Fire drills – quarterly
• Fire safety training mandatory
• Emergency/disaster preparedness plan
• Two residents maximum per bedroom
• Hot food temperature – at or above 140°F
• Hand hygiene – before and after resident contact
Medication Management
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• Physician approval for self-administration
• Only trained staff may administer medications
• Controlled substances – double-locked cabinet
• Medication Administration Record (MAR) – 3 years retention
Abuse, Neglect & Reporting
• Mandated reporting of suspected abuse
• DHS investigates abuse allegations
• Incident reports to DHS – within 24 hours
• Resident death notification to DHS – within 24 hours
• Physical signs of abuse: unexplained bruises, weight loss
Legal & Financial
• Operating without license – legal action and fines up to $10,000
• Workers' compensation mandatory
• Personal needs allowance refund – within 2 business days of discharge
• Resident funds return – within 30 days
• Records falsification penalty
1. What is the primary purpose of a personal care home?
A) Provide acute medical care
B) Provide personal care and supervision for residents
C) Conduct medical research studies
D) Serve as a rehabilitation hospital
Answer: B
Rationale: Personal care homes are designed to assist individuals with daily living activities while
providing supervision, not acute medical care or rehabilitation .
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 100-hour administrator training
program to ensure knowledge of regulations and management skills .
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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
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 Department of Human Services must be notified within 24 hours of a resident's death .
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5. According to 55 Pa. Code §2600.53, what is the minimum age requirement for a personal care home
administrator?
A) 18 years old
B) 21 years old
C) 25 years old
D) 30 years old
Answer: B
Rationale: The regulations explicitly require that the administrator be 21 years of age or older .
6. A resident's personal needs allowance must be refunded within how many business days of
discharge?
A) 1 day
B) 2 business days
C) 7 days
D) 14 days
Answer: B
Pennsylvania Personal Care Home Administrator
(PCHA) Exam ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
Pennsylvania Personal Care Home Administrator (PCHA) Exam. The questions cover all major content
areas based on 55 Pa. Code Chapter 2600 and official exam subject guidelines .
SUMMARIZED EXAM COVERAGE (POINT FORM)
Regulatory Framework & Licensing
• 55 Pa. Code Chapter 2600 – Personal Care Homes
• 100-hour state-approved administrator training course
• Competency-based training test with passing score
• Administrator qualifications (RN, LPN + 1 year, Associate's degree, Nursing Home Administrator
license, or HS diploma + 2 years for homes ≤8 residents)
• Minimum age 21
• 24 hours annual training requirement
• Department of Human Services (DHS) inspection – annually
Resident Care & Services
• ADLs/IADLs definitions and assistance
• Individualized Service Plans (ISP) – at admission and updated at least annually
• Medical evaluation – within 30 days prior to admission
• Admission criteria – must not require skilled nursing care
• Personal needs allowance – $85 for SSI residents
• Contract rescission period – 72 hours
Resident Rights
• Right to privacy, dignity, and freedom from abuse
• Right to access records within 24 hours
• Posting of resident rights in conspicuous location
• Right to file complaints without retaliation
• Resident councils – quarterly meetings
Staffing & Training
• Administrator on-site at least 30 hours weekly
• Staff criminal background checks – before hire
• Required training topics: fire safety, medication procedures, CPR/first aid, resident rights, abuse
prevention, infection control
• Overnight staffing – awake staff person present
Health, Safety & Environment
• Fire drills – quarterly
• Fire safety training mandatory
• Emergency/disaster preparedness plan
• Two residents maximum per bedroom
• Hot food temperature – at or above 140°F
• Hand hygiene – before and after resident contact
Medication Management
, Page 2 of 126
• Physician approval for self-administration
• Only trained staff may administer medications
• Controlled substances – double-locked cabinet
• Medication Administration Record (MAR) – 3 years retention
Abuse, Neglect & Reporting
• Mandated reporting of suspected abuse
• DHS investigates abuse allegations
• Incident reports to DHS – within 24 hours
• Resident death notification to DHS – within 24 hours
• Physical signs of abuse: unexplained bruises, weight loss
Legal & Financial
• Operating without license – legal action and fines up to $10,000
• Workers' compensation mandatory
• Personal needs allowance refund – within 2 business days of discharge
• Resident funds return – within 30 days
• Records falsification penalty
1. What is the primary purpose of a personal care home?
A) Provide acute medical care
B) Provide personal care and supervision for residents
C) Conduct medical research studies
D) Serve as a rehabilitation hospital
Answer: B
Rationale: Personal care homes are designed to assist individuals with daily living activities while
providing supervision, not acute medical care or rehabilitation .
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 100-hour administrator training
program to ensure knowledge of regulations and management skills .
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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
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 Department of Human Services must be notified within 24 hours of a resident's death .
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5. According to 55 Pa. Code §2600.53, what is the minimum age requirement for a personal care home
administrator?
A) 18 years old
B) 21 years old
C) 25 years old
D) 30 years old
Answer: B
Rationale: The regulations explicitly require that the administrator be 21 years of age or older .
6. A resident's personal needs allowance must be refunded within how many business days of
discharge?
A) 1 day
B) 2 business days
C) 7 days
D) 14 days
Answer: B
