NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATOR PROGRAM (NHAP)

GUIDELINES FOR APPROVAL OF
CONTINUING EDUCATION PROVIDERS AND COURSES

DEFINITION OF TERMS

A. In order to provide uniformity of terms, the following definitions shall be used:

CREDIT

A. The Nursing Home Administrator Licensing Act requires that each licensee requesting an active renewal complete 40 hours of NHAP-approved continuing education (CE) courses, of which 10 hours shall be in the area of aging or patient care. Licensees must complete courses offered by NHAP-approved providers during each two year licensing period to renew their license in an active status.

B. Credit for course work will be allocated as follows:

1. Students in NHAP approved courses will receive one hour of credit for each classroom hour attended.
2. Courses in aging or patient care may include courses in gerontology, aging and/or nursing care. Courses approved to meet this CE requirement will have the course approval number ending in “P”, indicating approval for aging and patient care.

HOW TO APPLY FOR PROVIDER APPROVAL

1. Applicants must apply for provider approvals on the CDPH 508 form (PDF). Upon application approval, the NHAP assigns provider numbers and notifies applicants by mail. The NHAP must be notified, in writing, of any changes in provider information set forth on the approved application.

2. The fee to become a NHAP-approved provider is located on the NHAP Fees page.

3. Checks or money orders should be made payable to NHAP. Fees are not refunded for denied applications.

4. Provider approvals do not include course approvals. Providers must request Program approval for each course being offered for CE credit.

5. Provider approvals expire two years from the date of approval, at which time new provider applications must be completed and submitted to the NHAP for evaluation and processing, The required fee can be found at the NHAP Fees page. In most cases, upon arrival, reapplying providers retain original provider numbers.

NHAP’S ROLE AFTER RECEIVING A PROVIDER APPLICATION

The NHAP processes Provider applications in the order they are received. In the event that a Provider application is incomplete, the NHAP will send you an e-mail indicating the next steps to process the application. Please be advised that incomplete packages may cause delays in approving applications. As a reminder, Provider approval expires on the date provided by NHAP. Any courses submitted for NHAP approval outside of the Provider’s active period will not be approved. Any courses licensees submit with their renewal will not be accepted if the course occurred outside of the Provider’s active period.

STANDARDS FOR COURSE APPROVAL

A. Courses that meet all of the following may be approved:

1. Directly relate to the duties and responsibilities of a nursing home administrator, such as courses in management, accounting, business law and other pertinent administration courses, as well as courses pertaining to gerontology and aging and patient care;
2. Will be open to all licensed nursing home administrators;
3. Do not focus on the policies and procedures of any single firm; and
4. Have not been mis-advertised.

B. Course approval requests in the areas of patient care or aging should meet the following general guidelines. 

1. Aging: Courses approved in aging should relate to the processes and facets of aging, and any biological, mental and sociological implications. Classes may also include study and treatment of diseases associated with the elderly. In general, courses should contribute to the knowledge and understanding of older adults, such as special dietary needs of the elderly, psychological implications associated with institutionalization, and protecting the elderly in a restraint-free environment. 
2. Patient Care: Courses must relate to care of the patient, which may include elements of the physical, psychological or sociological aspects of care; i.e., care and treatment of pressure ulcers, alzheimers, identification and treatment of elderly depression, and activities enhancing socialization skills.
   Programs defining, explaining or promoting patients’ rights in skilled nursing facilities will also receive credit. 

C. Online courses may be approved under the following conditions:

1. Courses must utilize a programmed learning format, including goals and objectives. Courses based on reading assignments only will not be approved.
2. Courses must be directly related to the duties of an administrator, or must relate to aging or patient care.
3. To qualify for CE credit, courses must include course evaluations and tests requiring a 70% or better pass rate.
4. Courses will be approved on the same 1 credit per hour guideline, up to a maximum of 10. 
5. The course online learning environment must provide safeguards to protect personal information.
6. The courses policies and procedures must address equipment failures and student absences.
7. The course online learning environment must require the use of a personal identification number or personal identification information that confirms the identity of the trainees, including but not limited to, having trainees sign an affidavit attesting under penalty of perjury to their identity while completing the program.  

HOW TO APPLY FOR COURSE APPROVAL

A. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information on the CDPH 518 form. 

B. Each application must include a check or money order. The required fee can be found at https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHCQ/LCP/Pages/NHAPFees.aspx.
Fees are not refunded for denied applications.

C. To allow the NHAP sufficient time to approve courses and assign course approval numbers, applications must be submitted at least thirty (30) days prior to the first proposed class session. Applications submitted after the 30-day deadline may be denied. Applicants will be notified of NHAP action by mail.

D. Course approval numbers are non-transferable. Only the NHAP-approved provider who is submitting a course for approval is authorized to offer and advertise the course as being NHAP-approved.

E. NHAP approvals of all courses expire 2 years after the date of approval. Providers may renew courses previously approved providing the courses have not changed in format. To renew courses, providers must comply with Section A&B above. Any change in course duration or content requires re-application and fee submittal. Course title and/or instructor changes require only written notification to the NHAP.

NHAP’s Role after Receiving Course Applications

The NHAP processes Course applications in the order they are received. In the event that a Course application is incomplete, the NHAP will send the approved provider an e-mail indicating the next steps to process the Course application. Please be advised that incomplete packages may cause delays in approving applications. As a reminder, Course approvals expire on the date provided by NHAP. Any courses submitted for NHAP approval outside of the Provider’s active period will not be approved. Any courses licensees submit with their renewal will not be accepted if the course occurred outside of the Provider’s active period.

CERTIFICATES OF ATTENDANCE, ATTENDANCE RECORDS, AND EVALUATION SUMMARIES

A. Providers shall issue Certificates of Attendance to each nursing home administrator attending a NHAP-approved course. Certificates should be distributed at the conclusion of a course, and must include:

1. Provider name and NHAP assgined provider number.
2. Title of Course and NHAP course approval number.
3. Name and license number of participant.
4. Date and location of presentation.
5. Number of classroom hours attended.
6. Signature of provider’s representative.

B. Providers are required to maintain accurate attendance records for a minimum of three (3) years. Online providers must submit records of course participants quarterly, together with test scores to NHAP.

C. Providers must offer a means whereby participants may evaluate courses. Providers must maintain course evaluation for a minimum of three (3) years.

ADVERTISING NHAP-APPROVED COURSES

A. Providers may advertise NHAP-approved courses; however, reference to the NHAP shall be limited to the following statement:

"Approved by the Nursing Home Administrator Program for _____ hours of continuing education credit - NHAP#___________________."

B. The NHAP offers a listing of approved providers, including online course providers, upon demand. The list can be obtained by submitting a request to NHAP@cdph.ca.gov. Please call the NHAP at (916) 552-8780 for more information.

CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND SAFETY CODES FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION

A. The 1416.50 Health and Safety code can be found here.