Required Exams for Licensure

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To become a licensed Nursing Home Administrator in North Dakota, applicants must successfully pass two required examinations as part of the licensure process:

1. National Examination (NAB Exam)

  • The National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) examination is composed of two parts

    • The CORE Exam, which covers general knowledge and skills common across all long-term care settings.

    • The Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) Line of Service Exam, which focuses specifically on the competencies required for nursing home administration.

  • Both the CORE and NHA exams must be taken and passed to meet the national examination requirement for North Dakota licensure. 

  • Applicants must register and pay for the exams directly through the NAB website.

  • When applying, you will select National Combo: Nursing Home Administrator and CORE Exams (NHA - CORE). Once you have applied, the board will receive notification that you have applied. If we have an application for license on file and the fee has been paid, we will approve for you to continue with the national exam. Once we approve, you will get an email from Pearson VUE with instructions on scheduling the exam. 

  • The exams are computer-based and administered through NAB’s official testing platform.

  • Applicants must have a completed license application on file with the North Dakota Board before the board will approve for them to take the exam. 

  • Applicants are encourage to review the Exam Candidate Handbook. 

*note: Pearson VUE (800-834-1426) is now the NAB exam provider. It is no longer PSI. 

2. North Dakota State Exam

  • The North Dakota State Exam assesses knowledge of state-specific laws, rules, and administrative codes related to nursing home administration.

  • This exam is open book and is offered at no cost to the applicant.

  • It is administered by the North Dakota Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators after a complete application has been submitted and the application fee paid.

Note: Both exams may be taken in any order after the application has been submitted. Licensure will only be granted once both exams are passed and all other licensure requirements are fulfilled.