BELTSS primarily communicates via email, so it is important you always keep your email address up to date. It is strongly recommended you use an email you check frequently and that is only used by you.
To help you be successfful through the license process, the following steps should be used as a guide. These steps are for the applicant applying for the ALD-Education or an ALDIR who is needing a Residency Permit to work in the role as Assisted Living Director prior to obtaining the license. For other types of applicants, such as a MN NHA Approved (Nursing Home Administrators) or Endorsement (other state jurisdictions) please refer to your emailed letter that was sent to you after applying. To learn more about the different application types, please visit the page on application types.
Step 1: All applicants must apply online at https://nha.hlb.state.mn.us/#/login. You must become a registered user prior to submitting a new application. An individual can only have one BELTSS Online Portal account. If you already have a BELTSS account, then you must use your current account to submit your application. You must pay the applicable fees online before you are considered an active applicant - all fees paid are non-refundable. Videos are available on the website to learn how to submit an application or register for an account.
Step 2: Check your email address you used for your application. Within 1-2 business days you will receive an email with further instructions and important documents you will need for the license. This is the primary notice you will receive and will contain additional documents you will need later in this process. SAVE THE EMAIL for future reference. Further communication will be made through your online portal.
Step 3: Know your application number which may be referred to as your reference number. This will be listed in your application portal.
Step 4: Complete your CBC Background Check. This is an email sent to you with instructions from the criminal.background.check@state.mn.us. If you did not receive, check your spam folder. If you do not find the email, please email the CBC and request a fingerprint applicant. Please note: Background checks through the criminal background check unit are different then the background study required for the facilitiy license. Background Checks through the licensing process with BELTSS are only valid for 12 months and may need to be repeated if you do not obtain your license within 12 months of the background check being completed in your application. Background checks must be completed before a permit can be issued.
Step 5: Check your application portal frequently for items marked as completed and those items still marked as open. Your initial letter emailed to you will have further instructions for each of the checklist items. The website is also a great resource for more infomration on each item needing to be completed, such as the Coursework, Field Experience and Exams.
Step 6: Review your email letter from Step 2 - Acknowledgement Letter - read through it carefully. It is a lot of information sent to you. This letter is very important to review and keep for future reference when you need it.
Step 7: Review the information contained in your letter as to how BELTSS received documents you must send in. Not all documents can be obtained by the applicant, some require an educator to send in transcripts or a mentor to complete the mentor evaluation form.
Step 8: There is no order for completing checklist items. The only pre-requisite required is to complete the education coursework prior to registering for the exams. BELTSS must receive the transcript from the education provider prior to registering for the exams. It is recommended the field experience be completed prior to taking the exams. If you are needing a permit, additional checklist items will be required to obtain the permit - resume, criminal background check and permit supplemental form which is sent in the initial email.
The license process is a a journey and should not be simply thought of as checking items off. Each checklist item requires time, and careful review to be sure you meet the requirment. It is an expectation you take time visiting the website and review the requirments for completing each item before sending in the documents or calling BELTSS. This is a professional license that requires critical thinking skills to problem solve and find the answer from the materials sent to you upon applying as most questions can be answered from the information on the website.
We wish you the best as you seek this professional license and care for the people of Minnesota!
