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Opening an RCFE

RCFE Administrator Certification in California

By Sevana Care · Checked against cdss.ca.gov and California law on

An administrator certificate belongs to a person, not to the home [9][11]. Every RCFE administrator must hold one before working as the administrator [15]. To earn it, you finish an 80-hour training course from a vendor the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has approved. Then you pass the CDSS exam within 60 days of finishing the training and apply within 30 days of the emailed notice that you passed [2][9]. The initial application costs $140, the exam costs $100 and the certificate lasts two years [4][9].

How it differs from the facility license

The facility license is what lets a person or company run an RCFE: no one may operate one "without a current valid license" [13]. The certificate belongs to the administrator, the person the licensee designates to manage the home [11].

Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, § 87405(a), says: "All facilities shall have a qualified and currently certified administrator. The licensee and the administrator may be one and the same person." [14] If you are both, you must meet the licensee rules and the administrator rules [9][14].

When you apply for the license, an individual applicant must show completion of a certification program [12]. For a company, the chief executive officer or the designated administrator must show it [12].

CDSS's application page says a complete application includes the orientation certificate, the administrator certificate and the fee [1]. Its applicant FAQ (undated) says you may send the license application before you hold the certificate [21]. It also says the home will not be approved for licensure without written proof of the certificate or proof that a qualified administrator was hired [21].

If licensure is time sensitive and the certificate is held up by application discrepancies, CDSS's administrator FAQ says "it is generally recommended that the licensee name an administrator who already holds a valid certificate" [8].

Health and Safety Code (HSC) § 1569.616 says: "Failure to comply with this section shall constitute cause for revocation of the license of the facility where an individual is functioning as the administrator." [9]

Qualifications that depend on the home's size

Every administrator must be at least 21, have a high school diploma or GED and have a criminal record clearance or exemption [2][10][14].

Home licensed forEducation and experience in Title 22 § 87405
15 residents or fewerThe section lists none beyond § 87405(d), which applies to every size [14]
16 to 49 residentsAt least 15 college or continuing education semester units, or equivalent quarter units, completed with a passing grade; and at least one year of experience providing residential care to the elderly; or equivalent education and experience the Department approves [14]
50 or more residentsTwo years of college; at least three years of experience providing residential care to the elderly; or equivalent education and experience the licensing agency approves [14]

The license application booklet (LIC 281) says: "VERIFICATION OF EXPERIENCE FOR AN APPLICANT APPLYING FOR A ONE TO SIX BED ARF OR RCFE IS NOT NECESSARY." [22]

Not sure which license fits? RCFE vs ARF sets the two side by side.

The initial certification training

The program is at least 80 hours [9]. At least 60 hours must be live instruction, where students can interact with each other and the instructor at the same time [9]. Since July 10, 2023, that live part can be in person or by live-stream [18]. CDSS's table says 20 of the 80 hours may be self-paced [4]. The core subjects include laws and regulations, business operations, staff management, medication management, dementia care and residents' rights [9].

Who may teach it. The course must come from a CDSS-approved vendor [6]. Title 22 § 87785(i) lists what vendors "shall" do, starting with "Offer all eighty (80) of the hours required for certification" [17]. Each instructor must have verifiable knowledge or experience in the subject and meet one of four tests [17]:

  • a bachelor's degree in a related field plus two years of related experience [17]
  • four years of experience relevant to the course [17]
  • a California professional license or certificate in a related field plus two years of related field experience [17]
  • four years as a California RCFE administrator within the last six years, with a record of substantial compliance, plus verifiable training in the subject [17]

At least 20 hours must be taught by an instructor who meets the fourth test, unless CDSS grants a waiver [17].

Where to find approved vendors. CDSS keeps the list at Approved Vendors, RCFE 80-hour Initial Certification Training Program [6].

Nursing home administrators. An applicant with a valid California nursing home administrator license completes 12 hours of instruction in core subject areas instead of the 80-hour course and the exam [2][15].

The state exam

You take the exam within 60 days of finishing the training, with up to three attempts [2][5]. The RCFE exam has 100 questions, and you get 120 minutes. A passing score is 70 percent [5]. The $100 fee covers three attempts and is not refundable [2][9]. During the online exam you may use acceptable printed copies of the Health and Safety Code and Title 22 rules. Electronic copies and personal notes are not allowed [5].

If you do not pass in up to three attempts within the 60 days, you retake the training and pay the exam fee again [2][5]. Title 22 § 87406(i) says the deadlines in § 87406(b)(2) and (3) "may be extended up to sixty (60) days in total for good cause as determined by the Department" [15]. It says "Any request for an extension of time shall be made in writing to the Administrator Certification Section Manager within sixty (60) days of completing the Initial Certification Training Program" and that "Failure of the exam shall not constitute good cause for an extension" [15]. CDSS's procedures page gives two windows: ask within 60 days of finishing the training for an exam extension, or within 30 days of passing for an application extension [2].

How to apply

Within 30 days of the emailed notice that you passed, send CDSS's Administrator Certification Bureau a complete application packet [2]. The form is LIC 9214, Application for Administrator Certification (7/25) [7][20]. The fee is $140 [2][4].

  • By portal. CDSS says the Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) Public Portal is open to administrators from August 17, 2026 [1]. CDSS calls portal use optional, and mailed applications are still processed [19].
  • By mail. Send the packet to CDSS-ACB, 744 P Street, MS 9-15-807, Sacramento, CA 95814 [2]. It must include [2][20]:
    • LIC 9214
    • a $140 check or money order payable to "CDSS-ACB"
    • your training certificate
    • a copy of your Live Scan request (LIC 9163) or proof of a prior clearance
    • any extension approval

CDSS issues no certificate until it has the application, training certificate, fee, proof you passed the exam and your fingerprints or a current clearance [9]. It typically begins reviewing an application within 90 days of receipt [2]. Questions go to AdminCertInfo@dss.ca.gov or (916) 653-9300 [2].

How long it lasts and what renewal takes

A certificate lasts two years [9][15]. To renew you need [3][16]:

  • 40 hours of continuing education from an approved vendor, with at least four hours on laws and regulations and at least eight hours on serving residents with dementia [3][16]
  • at least half of the hours live, in person or live-stream; the rest may be self-paced [3][4][18]
  • no more than ten hours counted from one day, and no initial-training course counts [3][16]
  • a $140 renewal fee [3][4], submitted no more than 90 days before the certificate expires [3][16]

Nursing home administrators need 20 hours [3][16]. A renewal sent or finished after the expiration date adds a $300 late fee [3][4][9]. If you renew more than two years but less than four years after your certificate expiration date, you owe the hours for each two-year renewal cycle. For an RCFE administrator that is 80 hours instead of 40 [3][4]. After four years you repeat the training, the exam and the application [9][16].

Within 30 days of taking on or giving up an administrator role, tell your local licensing office and the Administrator Certification Bureau in writing [16]. The licensee must tell CDSS within 30 days of any administrator change [9].

Questions

Do I need a certificate if I own the home?

If you apply for the license as an individual, HSC § 1569.23 says: "As a requirement for licensure, the applicant shall demonstrate that he or she has successfully completed a certification program approved by the department." [12] If the applicant is a company, the chief executive officer or the designated administrator shows it [12]. Subdivision (f) names exceptions, such as an approved program completed within the prior five years [12]. If you are also the administrator, you must meet the administrator rules too [9][14].

Can I take the training online?

Up to 20 of the 80 hours may be self-paced. The other hours must be live, in person or by live-stream [4][18].

Does the certificate let me open a home?

No. A home needs its own license [13]. See the facility license page.

Sources

  1. CDSS, Administrator Certification Bureau
  2. CDSS, Administrator Certification Initial Procedures
  3. CDSS, Administrator Certification Renewal Procedures
  4. CDSS, Administrator Information (training hours, fees)
  5. CDSS, Examinee Information
  6. CDSS, List of Approved Vendors
  7. CDSS, Administrator Certification Bureau Forms
  8. CDSS, Administrator FAQ (updated 7/1/2026)
  9. Health and Safety Code § 1569.616
  10. Health and Safety Code § 1569.613
  11. Health and Safety Code § 1569.2
  12. Health and Safety Code § 1569.23
  13. Health and Safety Code § 1569.10
  14. 22 CCR § 87405, Administrator Qualifications and Duties (Westlaw)
  15. 22 CCR § 87406, Administrator Certification Requirements (Westlaw)
  16. 22 CCR § 87407, Administrator Recertification Requirements (Westlaw)
  17. 22 CCR § 87785, Initial Certification Training Program Vendor and Program Approval Requirements (Westlaw)
  18. CDSS, PIN 23-14-CCLD, Changes to Administrator Certification Training Requirements (8/30/2023, PDF)
  19. CDSS, PIN 26-10-CCLD, Community Care Licensing Division Public Portal (8/5/2026, PDF)
  20. CDSS, LIC 9214 (7/25), Application for Administrator Certification (PDF)
  21. CDSS, Adult and Senior Care Program Centralized Application Unit FAQ (undated PDF)
  22. CDSS, LIC 281 (11/25), Application Instructions for a Facility License (PDF)