Opening an RCFE
RCFE Administrator Practice Test
By Sevana Care · Checked against cdss.ca.gov and California law on
No sign-up needed. We wrote every question from the two bodies of law CDSS lists for the RCFE administrator exam, the Health and Safety Code and Title 22 [1]. The answers also show the day we last checked the rule.
None of our questions come from the real exam. Its terms bar examinees from "disclosing, publishing, reproducing ... any Confidential Information", and the exam's questions and answers fall under that term [2].
Practice questions
Five sets of 8, grouped by topic. You get a score at the end of each set.
Set 1: Laws, rights and culture
Set 2: Running the home
Set 3: Admission and the resident
Set 4: Health and medication
Set 5: Dementia, hospice and restricted conditions
How the real exam works
You get "up to three (3) attempts to pass the exam within 60 days" of finishing your Initial Certification Training Program [1].
How the questions are weighted
Title 22 says the exam questions "shall reflect the hour value" of the 13 subject areas in the 80-hour course (22 CCR § 87785(h)(2)(B)) [4]. Ours use the same hours: 40 questions, about one for every two hours, and at least one in every area. The area names in the chart follow HSC § 1569.616(c)(1)(A)-(M) [5].
Course hours by subject area
- Resident admission, retention, and assessment10
- Laws, regulations, and policies8
- Physical needs for elderly persons8
- Medication management8
- Managing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias8
- Postural supports, restricted health conditions, and hospice care8
- Psychosocial needs of the elderly7
- Business operations6
- Management and supervision of staff6
- Managing the physical environment4
- Residents’ rights4
- Community and support services2
- Cultural competency and sensitivity1
Questions
Which laws does the exam cover?
CDSS names two for the RCFE exam: the "Health and Safety Code (HSC), Division 2, Chapter 3.2, Sections 1569 – 1569.889" and the "California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 22, Division 6, Chapter 8, Sections 87100 – 87777" [1]. Every question on this page cites a section inside those ranges.
What do I need on exam day?
The exam is remote, with a proctor watching [3]. CDSS's exam FAQ says you'll need "Computer/Laptop/Power cords", a "Webcam", "Internet access" and "Valid government-issued identification with picture" [3]. The same list has a "Telephone (should you need to be reached during the exam in case of disconnection)" [3]. Printed law books are optional.
What if I don't pass?
Try again, as long as you're within 60 days of finishing your training and haven't used all three attempts [1]. If you still haven't passed by then, you have to retake the training course before you can test again [1]. The administrator certificate guide covers the training and the application.
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Sources
- CDSS, Examinee Information
- CDSS, Exam Terms and Conditions (updated November 2025, PDF)
- CDSS, Exam FAQ (updated 8/15/2025)
- 22 CCR § 87785, Initial Certification Training Program Vendor and Program Approval Requirements (Westlaw)
- California Health and Safety Code § 1569.616 (leginfo)
- 22 CCR § 87211, Reporting Requirements (Westlaw)
- California Health and Safety Code § 1569.269 (leginfo)
- 22 CCR § 87206, Advertisements and License Number (Westlaw)
- 22 CCR § 87468.1, Personal Rights of Residents In all Facilities (Westlaw)
- 22 CCR § 87109, Transferability of License (Westlaw)
- 22 CCR § 87219, Planned Activities (Westlaw)
- 22 CCR § 87303, Maintenance and Operation (Westlaw)
- 22 CCR § 87415, Night Supervision (Westlaw)
- 22 CCR § 87506, Resident Records (Westlaw)
- 22 CCR § 87411, Personnel Requirements--General (Westlaw)
- 22 CCR § 87217, Safeguards for Resident Cash, Personal Property, and Valuables (Westlaw)
- 22 CCR § 87307, Personal Accommodations and Services (Westlaw)
- California Health and Safety Code § 1569.625 (leginfo)
- 22 CCR § 87216, Bonding (Westlaw)
- 22 CCR § 87455, Acceptance and Retention Limitations (Westlaw)
- 22 CCR § 87458, Medical Assessment (Westlaw)
- 22 CCR § 87507, Admission Agreements (Westlaw)
- 22 CCR § 87466, Observation of the Resident (Westlaw)
- 22 CCR § 87463, Reappraisals (Westlaw)
- California Health and Safety Code § 1569.683 (leginfo)
- 22 CCR § 87555, General Food Service Requirements (Westlaw)
- California Health and Safety Code § 1569.69 (leginfo)
- 22 CCR § 87465, Incidental Medical and Dental Care Services (Westlaw)
- California Health and Safety Code § 1569.626 (leginfo)
- 22 CCR § 87705, Care of Persons with Dementia (Westlaw)
- 22 CCR § 87706, Advertising Dementia Special Care, Programming, and Environments (Westlaw)
- 22 CCR § 87608, Postural Supports (Westlaw)
- 22 CCR § 87615, Prohibited Health Conditions (Westlaw)
- 22 CCR § 87633, Hospice Care for Terminally Ill Residents (Westlaw)
- California Health and Safety Code § 1569.696 (leginfo)