State Exams

State NHA

You must have an active application for Minnesota licensure on file with the board to be eligible to take the state exam.

The State NHA has 35-multiple choice question and the applicant is given one hour 25 minutes to complete the exam. The exam is an open resource exam testing candidate ability to research and interpret Minnesota Statutes and Rules about the operation of a Minnesota Nursing Home. Examinees will use the board-provided statutes and rules found in the exam application and on our website under Exam Resources.

*For those pursuing a License as a Nursing Home Administrator and Assisted Living Director, a Hybrid exam is available. The exam is a 50-multiple choice question and the applicant is given two hours to complete the exam. This exam is also used for those pursuing a Health Services Executive (HSE) license.

Once the exam application and fee has been processed, you will have 14 days to sit for the online exam. An email will be sent to the proctor listed in your exam application with instructions and log-in information for the day of the exam.

How to Apply

1. You must have an active application for the NHA license on file with BELTSS. Apply for Licensure
2. Complete the state NHA examination application that was sent in the acknowledgement email after applying for licensure.
3. Fill out and return the Exam Application and $100 fee, unless included in your application fee (HSE is included in application type).

Individuals preparing to take the State Exam are encouraged to review each text at least twice and become acquainted with the index in both the MN Rules and Statutes. The objective of the open book State exam is for the applicant to become familiar with the State Rules and Statutes and feel comfortable referencing the material from the provided texts. Applicants are encouraged to use Control F in searching for ‘key words” within those resources.

State Exam Application Link

NHA Resources and Study Materials

Individuals preparing to take the State Exam are encouraged to review each text at least twice and become acquainted with the index in both the MN Rules and Statutes, as well as the Supplemental Bibliography resource. The objective of the open book State exam is for the applicant to become familiar with the State Rules and Statutes and feel comfortable referencing the material from the provided texts. Applicants are encouraged to use Control F in searching for ‘key words” within those resources.

Please refer to the following links for information pertaining to the NHA state exam.

• MN Rules 6400.5000 – 6900, Licensing of Nursing Home Administrators 
• Minnesota Chapter 4658, Nursing Homes
• Minnesota Statutes Ch. 144A MN Statutes 144A.001 – 144A.38
• Minnesota Statutes Ch. 144: 
  • Clean Indoor Act – 144.411 – 144.417
  • Nursing Home Admission Contracts, Care of Residents 144.6501 – 144.6503
  • Electronic Monitoring 144.6502
  • Bill of Rights 144.651 – 144.652
• Minnesota Rules 4605.7030 Persons required to report disease
• Minnesota Rules 4638.0200 Pet Animals in Healthcare Facilities 
• Minnesota Rules 6800.6100 to 6800.6800 Operations in Long-term Care Facilities

Hybrid Exam Bibliography (For the NHA and ALD Combined Application):

• MN Rules 6400.5000 to 6400.7095 BELTSS
• MN Chapter 4658, Nursing Homes
• MN Chapter 4659, Assisted Living
• MN Statutes MDH AL 144G Reference Material
• MN Statutes Reporting of Maltreatment of Vulnerable Adult 626.557 Reference Material
• Minnesota Statutes Ch. 144A MN Statutes 144A.001 – 144A.38
• Minnesota Statutes Ch. 144: 
  • Clean Indoor Act – 144.411 – 144.417
  • Nursing Home Admission Contracts, Care of Residents 144.6501 – 144.6503
  • Electronic Monitoring 144.6502
  • Bill of Rights 144.651 – 144.652
• Minnesota Rules 4605.7030 Persons required to report disease
• Minnesota Rules 4638.0200 Pet Animals in Healthcare Facilities 
• Minnesota Rules 6800.6100 to 6800.6800 Operations in Long-term Care Facilities
• Supplemental ALD State Exam Bibliography