Licensure and Internship Information

For students interested in pursuing a career as a long-term care administrator, there are specific issues and requirements to consider in order to take courses in the Long-term Care program. This is an attempt to address the need for information from the student prior to acceptance to assure that the course(s) will meet the student’s educational and career goals.

  • Licensure takes place at the state level for both nursing facility administrators (NHA) and, in some states, executive directors for assisted living (EDAL). State rules and regulations will determine eligibility and requirements for a license. Prospective students need to declare which state they intend to seek licensure in. While a number of states accept both our Long-Term Care degree program and our certificate, there are individual differences in how each state will approach academic requirements. To verify the particular coursework needed for your state, please contact your state board or work with an admissions counselor to inquire with our program manager of Long-term Care Administration.

  • For any degree offered by the College and intended to be used for licensure, students must complete an internship (also called a practicum). This is the accreditation requirement of the National Board of Examiners for Long-term Care Executives (aka NAB). This is non-negotiable.

  • NAB does not accredit Certificate programs nor individual courses. NAB only considers undergraduate and graduate programs for accreditation.

  • Prospective students need to be in contact with the chosen state of licensure to determine the course requirements, including the number of hours for an internship. While some states may waive the number of hours based on past work experience, NAB will only allow the use of an accredited degree based on a 1000-hour internship.

  • Prospective students are responsible for finding a site for their internship. While the Program Director can consult with the student on how to find a site, it does remain the responsibility of the student to determine a location.

  • The Program Director will need to review the details of a site, including regulatory history, background and experience of the preceptor, and other relevant information in order to approve the student for the course.

  • Any questions or issues regarding internships need to be directed to the Program Director.

For more information

Steven Chies, MHA
Program Director, Long-term Care Administration
schies@sjcme.edu