Top 10 Assisted Living Coordinator Certifications

Certifications are important for an assisted living coordinator in the job market because they demonstrate a level of knowledge, skill and experience that employers look for when hiring. Certifications can provide assurance that a candidate is qualified to perform certain tasks and responsibilities related to the position. They also show employers that the individual has taken the initiative to acquire additional training and expertise in their field, increasing their value as an employee. Additionally, certifications may give an assisted living coordinator a competitive edge over other applicants, as some employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed specific courses or certifications.

This article reviews some of the most beneficial certifications for Assisted Living Coordinators and explains how they can help to advance their career.

What are Assisted Living Coordinator Certifications?

Assisted living coordinator certification is a type of professional certification that provides individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to work as an assisted living coordinator in a senior care facility. This type of certification is typically offered by professional organizations, such as the National Association of Assisted Living (NAAL). The certification focuses on topics such as understanding and meeting the needs of older adults, effective communication, safety and emergency preparedness, managing and supervising staff, resident rights, and aging-in-place services.

By obtaining this certification, individuals can demonstrate their commitment to providing quality care for seniors in assisted living facilities. It also helps them stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs or promotions in the field. In addition, having this certification may be beneficial when applying for positions at larger organizations or in higher-level roles. With this credential, coordinators can become more knowledgeable about the industry and better equipped to provide high-quality care to their clients.

Pro Tip: Before enrolling in an assisted living coordinator certification program, make sure that the program is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting body such as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). This will ensure that the program meets quality standards and provides the best possible training for your future career.

Related: What does an Assisted Living Coordinator do?

Top 10 Assisted Living Coordinator Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Assisted Living Coordinators today.

1. Certified Assisted Living Administrator (CALA)

A Certified Assisted Living Administrator (CALA) is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and skills in the management of assisted living facilities. The CALA certification is offered by the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB).

It typically takes about six months to complete the requirements for the CALA certification. To become certified, individuals must first meet eligibility requirements such as having at least two years of experience in long-term care administration or a related field, and completing a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education. After meeting these requirements, individuals must then pass an exam administered by NAB.

The cost for the CALA certification varies depending on your state and whether you are taking the exam online or in person. Generally speaking, it costs around $400 to take the exam online and around $450 to take it in person. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with obtaining continuing education credits or applying for licensure in certain states.

2. Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP)

A Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) is a professional who has earned certification from the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP). The CDP credential is designed to recognize those professionals who have achieved a high level of knowledge and expertise in providing care and support for individuals living with dementia.

The CDP credential requires that applicants have at least two years of experience working with people living with dementia, as well as completion of an approved training program. The training program must include topics such as: understanding dementia, communication strategies, behavior management techniques, end-of-life care, and legal and ethical considerations.

The process of obtaining the CDP credential typically takes several months to complete. Applicants must first submit an application to the NCCDP along with proof of their experience and training. Once accepted into the program, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics related to dementia care.

The cost for obtaining the CDP credential varies depending on where you live and which organization you are applying through. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $200-$500 USD to become certified.

3. Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)

Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) is a professional designation that recognizes professionals who have completed a comprehensive educational program on the aging process and the unique needs of seniors. The CSA program was developed by The Society for Certified Senior Advisors, an international organization dedicated to providing education and certification to professionals working with seniors.

The CSA program consists of two parts: a self-study course and an examination. The self-study course covers topics such as aging, health and wellness, financial planning, retirement planning, housing options, legal issues, and more. The exam tests knowledge in these areas as well as the ability to apply it in real-world situations.

It typically takes 8-12 weeks to complete the self-study course and prepare for the exam. However, some individuals may take longer or shorter depending on their prior knowledge and experience with seniors.

To get certified as a CSA, you must first purchase the self-study materials from The Society for Certified Senior Advisors website. You can then work through the materials at your own pace until you are ready to take the exam. Once you pass the exam, you will receive your official CSA certification.

The cost of becoming a CSA varies depending on whether or not you are already a member of The Society for Certified Senior Advisors. For non-members, it costs $595 for the self-study materials plus $150 for the exam fee (total cost is $745). For members of The Society for Certified Senior Advisors, it costs $495 for the self-study materials plus $150 for the exam fee (total cost is $645).

4. Certified Nursing Home Administrator (CNHA)

Certified Nursing Home Administrator (CNHA) is a professional designation awarded to individuals who have met the requirements of the National Association of Boards of Examiners for Long Term Care Administrators (NAB). The CNHA credential is an advanced certification that demonstrates a commitment to excellence in long-term care administration.

To qualify for the CNHA, applicants must meet certain educational and experience requirements. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in health or business administration, or a related field; at least two years of full-time experience as an administrator or executive director in a nursing home; and they must pass the NAB exam.

The exam consists of two parts: the written examination and the oral examination. The written portion consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as long-term care regulations, management principles, and legal issues. The oral portion includes questions about leadership skills, problem solving techniques, and team building strategies.

The cost for taking the exam varies depending on where you take it, but typically ranges from $250-$350. It usually takes several months to complete all of the necessary steps to become certified, including taking the exam and submitting all required paperwork.

5. National Association of Activity Professionals Certification (NAAP-C)

The National Association of Activity Professionals Certification (NAAP-C) is a professional certification program that recognizes the expertise of activity professionals in long-term care, assisted living, and other senior care settings. The NAAP-C certification is designed to provide recognition to those who have demonstrated knowledge and experience in the activity profession.

The NAAP-C certification process takes approximately 6 months from start to finish. To become certified, individuals must complete an application form, submit proof of education and experience, pass a written exam, and pay a fee. The fee for NAAP-C certification is $150 for members of the National Association of Activity Professionals (NAAP), or $200 for non-members.

Once an individual has met all requirements and passed the exam, they will receive their official NAAP-C certificate in the mail within 4 weeks. This certificate serves as proof of their knowledge and expertise in the activity profession.

6. Certified Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (GNP-BC)

A Certified Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (GNP-BC) is a type of advanced practice nurse who specializes in providing care for older adults. This certification is awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and requires that the nurse has completed an accredited graduate program in gerontology or geriatrics, as well as additional training and experience in providing care for elderly patients.

In order to become certified, nurses must meet the following requirements:

1. Have a current, unrestricted license as a registered nurse (RN).

2. Have completed an accredited graduate program in gerontology or geriatrics with a minimum of 500 clinical hours.

3. Have at least 1 year of full-time experience as an RN within the last 3 years, with at least 500 hours spent working with older adults.

4. Pass the ANCC Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam (GNP-BC).

The exam consists of 175 multiple choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete. The cost of taking the exam is $395 for members of the American Nurses Association and $495 for non-members. After passing the exam, nurses will be eligible to use the GNP-BC credential after their name and will be recognized as experts in providing comprehensive care to older adults.

7. Certified Residential Care Administrator (CRCA)

A Certified Residential Care Administrator (CRCA) is a professional designation that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in the management of residential care facilities. This certification is offered through the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB).

To become certified, individuals must meet certain educational and experience requirements, pass an exam, and adhere to the NAB’s code of ethics. The process typically takes between six months and one year to complete.

To get started, individuals must first apply to take the exam by submitting an application form and fee to the NAB. Once approved, they must then prepare for the exam by studying from materials provided by the NAB or from other sources such as books or online courses.

The cost for taking the CRCA exam varies depending on where you live and how you choose to study for it. Generally speaking, it costs around $400-$600 for the application fee alone, plus any additional fees associated with studying for the exam.

8. Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)

A Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) is a professional credential awarded by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. (NCHEC). This certification is designed to recognize health education professionals who have demonstrated knowledge and skills in the Seven Areas of Responsibility for Health Education Specialists. These areas include: Assessing Needs, Resources, and Capacity for Health Education; Planning, Implementing, and Administering Health Education Strategies; Conducting Evaluation and Research Related to Health Education; Utilizing Communication Strategies and Health Information Technology to Enhance Health Education; Administrative Leadership for Health Education; Professional Ethics and Standards in the Practice of Health Education; and Cultural Competency in the Practice of Health Education.

The CHES exam is offered twice a year: once in April/May and once in October/November. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within three hours. To become certified as a CHES, applicants must meet certain educational requirements, have at least two years of full-time work experience related to health education or promotion activities within the past five years, submit an application form with required documents, pay an application fee ($225), pass the exam with a score of at least 70%, complete continuing education credits every five years to maintain certification status, and abide by NCHEC's Code of Ethics.

The cost of becoming certified as a CHES includes the application fee ($225), examination fee ($275), study materials (varies depending on source), travel costs (if applicable), and any other associated costs.

9. Long Term Care Leadership Certificate Program

The Long Term Care Leadership Certificate Program is a comprehensive program designed to provide healthcare professionals with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to become effective leaders in long-term care settings. The program consists of five courses that are offered online or in person. Each course focuses on a specific area of long-term care leadership and provides students with the opportunity to develop their skills in areas such as communication, problem solving, decision making, and team building.

The program typically takes six months to complete, although some students may choose to complete it faster or slower depending on their individual needs. In order to get the certificate, students must complete all five courses and pass an exam at the end of each course. The cost of the program varies depending on whether you take it online or in person; however, most programs range from $400-$800.

10. Professional in Human Resources Certification (PHR)

Professional in Human Resources Certification (PHR) is a certification program offered by the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI). The PHR certification is designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated mastery of the technical and operational aspects of human resource management. This certification is ideal for those who are looking to advance their career in the field of human resources, as it provides validation of their knowledge and skills.

It typically takes about six months to prepare for the PHR exam. To get started, you will need to complete an application with HRCI and submit any applicable fees. Once your application has been approved, you can begin studying for the exam. It is recommended that you use study materials from HRCI or other reputable sources. Additionally, many employers offer training courses or workshops to help prepare employees for the exam.

The cost of taking the PHR exam varies depending on where you take it and which version of the exam you choose to take (traditional or computer-based). Generally speaking, it costs around $500-$600 USD to take the traditional version of the exam, while it can cost up to $800 USD for the computer-based version.

Once you have completed all necessary steps and passed your PHR exam, you will be granted a three-year certification from HRCI that will signify your expertise in human resource management.

Do You Really Need a Assisted Living Coordinator Certificate?

Whether or not one needs an assisted living coordinator certificate depends on the individual's goals and objectives. If someone wants to work in this field, then a certificate is usually necessary. This is because most employers will require their employees to have a certain level of knowledge and skills in order to provide quality care for those who need it.

In order to be eligible for an assisted living coordinator certificate, a person must typically complete a number of courses related to this field, such as gerontology, health care administration, social services, and nutrition. Additionally, some employers may also require current certification from the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM). Having a certificate can demonstrate that the individual has the necessary qualifications to effectively manage the daily operations of an assisted living facility.

The main benefit of having an assisted living coordinator certificate is that it can open up more job opportunities in this field. It can help individuals stand out from other applicants and make them more attractive candidates for potential employers. Additionally, it can increase salary expectations since many employers are willing to offer higher salaries for individuals with specialized certificates or degrees.

In conclusion, whether or not someone needs an assisted living coordinator certificate largely depends on their career aspirations and goals within this field. For those who are interested in working in this area, having a certificate may be beneficial as it can open up more job opportunities and potentially lead to higher salaries.

Related: Assisted Living Coordinator Resume Examples

FAQs About Assisted Living Coordinator Certifications

1. What is an Assisted Living Coordinator Certification?

Answer: An Assisted Living Coordinator Certification is a professional credential that demonstrates proficiency in providing quality care to individuals who require assistance with daily activities. The certification is typically issued by the state and requires successful completion of an exam, as well as ongoing education and training.

2. How do I become certified as an Assisted Living Coordinator?

Answer: To become certified as an Assisted Living Coordinator, you must first meet any state-specific requirements for certification such as completing a pre-licensing course or passing an exam. Once these requirements are met, you can apply for certification from the state where you intend to practice.

3. What kind of continuing education is required to maintain my certification?

Answer: Each state has its own requirements for continuing education in order to maintain your certification. Generally, this involves taking additional courses or attending workshops related to assisted living practices and regulations. It is important to check with your state’s licensing board for specific requirements that must be met in order to maintain your certification.

4. Are there any other credentials I can obtain as an Assisted Living Coordinator?

Answer: Yes, there are other credentials available that may be beneficial depending on the type of work you plan to do in the field of assisted living coordination. These include certifications from organizations like the National Association of Professional Gerontology (NAPG) and the National Council on Aging (NCOA).

5. What kind of salary can I expect as an Assisted Living Coordinator?

Answer: Salaries for Assisted Living Coordinators vary depending on experience level, geographic location, and type of facility where they are employed. According to Payscale, the average annual salary for this position is approximately $47,000 per year.