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New Jersey Certified Assisted Living Administrator
(CALA) Examination | Latest Verified Questions and
Detailed Answers
OVERVIEW DESCRIPTION:
The New Jersey Certified Assisted Living Administrator (CALA) Exam is a state-mandated
competency assessment required for individuals seeking licensure to oversee and manage
an Assisted Living Residence, Comprehensive Personal Care Home, or Assisted Living
Program in New Jersey. Administered under the authority of the New Jersey Department of
Health, the examination evaluates a candidate's mastery of critical domains including state
regulations (NJAC 8:36), resident rights, medication management, financial operations,
safety and emergency preparedness, and the principles of person-centered care.
QUESTION 1
Which state agency is responsible for the licensing and oversight of assisted living
residences in New Jersey?
A) New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS)
B) New Jersey Department of Health (DOH)
C) New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA)
D) New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF)
CORRECT ANSWER: B) New Jersey Department of Health (DOH)
EXPERT RATIONALE: NJAC 8:36 designates the NJ Department of Health as the primary
authority for licensing, inspecting, and ensuring compliance of assisted living facilities.
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QUESTION 2
An Assisted Living Residence (ALR) is defined as a facility providing services to how
many or more adults unrelated to the proprietor?
A) 2
B) 4
C) 6
D) 8
CORRECT ANSWER: B) 4
EXPERT RATIONALE: The NJ regulations specify that an ALR is a facility licensed to
provide room, board, and assisted living services to four or more adults who are not
related to the proprietor.
QUESTION 3
What is the maximum number of residents allowed per residential unit in a
Comprehensive Personal Care Home (CPCH)?
A) One
B) Two
C) Three
D) Four
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Two
EXPERT RATIONALE: A CPCH is defined by NJAC 8:36 as having residential units with
no more than two residents, and each unit must have a lockable door at the entrance.
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QUESTION 4
An Assisted Living Program (ALP) is a distinct program that provides services within
what type of existing licensed structure?
A) A stand-alone private residence
B) A federally funded nursing home
C) An existing licensed health care facility
D) An unlicensed boarding home
CORRECT ANSWER: C) An existing licensed health care facility
EXPERT RATIONALE: Unlike a freestanding ALR, an ALP is a program component that
operates within an already licensed health care facility, such as a nursing home, to
provide a lower level of care.
QUESTION 5
An applicant for certification as an assisted living administrator must sit for the state
competency examination within how many months of successfully completing the
required training course?
A) 12 months
B) 24 months
C) 36 months
D) 48 months
CORRECT ANSWER: B) 24 months
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EXPERT RATIONALE: To maintain the validity of the training, New Jersey regulations
require that the state exam be taken within 24 months of completing the state-
approved administrator course.
QUESTION 6
How many hours of didactic (classroom) training are required to qualify for the NJ CALA
exam, plus how many hours of practical experience at a licensed facility?
A) 20 hours, plus 10 hours
B) 30 hours, plus 15 hours
C) 40 hours, plus 16 hours
D) 50 hours, plus 25 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: C) 40 hours, plus 16 hours
EXPERT RATIONALE: Prospective administrators must complete a minimum of 40
hours of didactic training and an additional 16 hours of practical experience to be
eligible for the CALA exam.
QUESTION 7
An administrator must complete how many hours of approved continuing education
units (CEUs) within a three-year period to maintain an active CALA license?
A) 20 hours
B) 30 hours
New Jersey Certified Assisted Living Administrator
(CALA) Examination | Latest Verified Questions and
Detailed Answers
OVERVIEW DESCRIPTION:
The New Jersey Certified Assisted Living Administrator (CALA) Exam is a state-mandated
competency assessment required for individuals seeking licensure to oversee and manage
an Assisted Living Residence, Comprehensive Personal Care Home, or Assisted Living
Program in New Jersey. Administered under the authority of the New Jersey Department of
Health, the examination evaluates a candidate's mastery of critical domains including state
regulations (NJAC 8:36), resident rights, medication management, financial operations,
safety and emergency preparedness, and the principles of person-centered care.
QUESTION 1
Which state agency is responsible for the licensing and oversight of assisted living
residences in New Jersey?
A) New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS)
B) New Jersey Department of Health (DOH)
C) New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA)
D) New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF)
CORRECT ANSWER: B) New Jersey Department of Health (DOH)
EXPERT RATIONALE: NJAC 8:36 designates the NJ Department of Health as the primary
authority for licensing, inspecting, and ensuring compliance of assisted living facilities.
,2|Page
QUESTION 2
An Assisted Living Residence (ALR) is defined as a facility providing services to how
many or more adults unrelated to the proprietor?
A) 2
B) 4
C) 6
D) 8
CORRECT ANSWER: B) 4
EXPERT RATIONALE: The NJ regulations specify that an ALR is a facility licensed to
provide room, board, and assisted living services to four or more adults who are not
related to the proprietor.
QUESTION 3
What is the maximum number of residents allowed per residential unit in a
Comprehensive Personal Care Home (CPCH)?
A) One
B) Two
C) Three
D) Four
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Two
EXPERT RATIONALE: A CPCH is defined by NJAC 8:36 as having residential units with
no more than two residents, and each unit must have a lockable door at the entrance.
,3|Page
QUESTION 4
An Assisted Living Program (ALP) is a distinct program that provides services within
what type of existing licensed structure?
A) A stand-alone private residence
B) A federally funded nursing home
C) An existing licensed health care facility
D) An unlicensed boarding home
CORRECT ANSWER: C) An existing licensed health care facility
EXPERT RATIONALE: Unlike a freestanding ALR, an ALP is a program component that
operates within an already licensed health care facility, such as a nursing home, to
provide a lower level of care.
QUESTION 5
An applicant for certification as an assisted living administrator must sit for the state
competency examination within how many months of successfully completing the
required training course?
A) 12 months
B) 24 months
C) 36 months
D) 48 months
CORRECT ANSWER: B) 24 months
, 4|Page
EXPERT RATIONALE: To maintain the validity of the training, New Jersey regulations
require that the state exam be taken within 24 months of completing the state-
approved administrator course.
QUESTION 6
How many hours of didactic (classroom) training are required to qualify for the NJ CALA
exam, plus how many hours of practical experience at a licensed facility?
A) 20 hours, plus 10 hours
B) 30 hours, plus 15 hours
C) 40 hours, plus 16 hours
D) 50 hours, plus 25 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: C) 40 hours, plus 16 hours
EXPERT RATIONALE: Prospective administrators must complete a minimum of 40
hours of didactic training and an additional 16 hours of practical experience to be
eligible for the CALA exam.
QUESTION 7
An administrator must complete how many hours of approved continuing education
units (CEUs) within a three-year period to maintain an active CALA license?
A) 20 hours
B) 30 hours
