Nursing home administrator license requirements in Ohio.

Board

Ohio Board of Executives of Long-Term Services and Supports (BELTSS) Board source · checked 2026-07-29

Education floor

A bachelor's degree Ohio requires a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution under every pathway; there is no associate-degree or high-school-only route. A baccalaureate (or master's) program that itself contains an approved nursing-home-administration curriculum waives the separate residency requirement entirely. Board source · checked 2026-07-29

Administrator-in-Training hours

1,000 to 1,500 hours depending on your degree or experience

• 1,500 hours: Nine-month, 1,500-hour Administrator Residency (AR) under a preceptor in full-time practice (35+ hours/week); the standard pathway for a baccalaureate degree without an approved in-major nursing-home-administration program.
• 1,000 hours: Six-month, 1,000-hour residency for a master's degree or higher. A baccalaureate or master's degree that itself contains an approved nursing-home-administration program waives the residency requirement altogether.

Board source · checked 2026-07-29

National NAB exams

Required (CORE of Knowledge + Nursing Home Administrator) The national NAB Nursing Home Administrator examination is required for all applicants. Board source · checked 2026-07-29

Separate state exam

Required Ohio requires its own Ohio Laws and Rules Examination in addition to the national NAB examination. Board source · checked 2026-07-29

Initial license fee

$300 $50 examination-application fee (Ohio Rev. Code 4751.15; Ohio Admin. Code 4751-1-05) plus a $250 original-license fee (ORC 4751.20(A)(8); OAC 4751-1-10 and 4751-1-16(E)). A separate $50 Administrator-in-Training registration fee (ORC 4751.20(A)(2); OAC 4751-1-16(A)) is paid when entering the residency, before the license itself is issued. Board source · checked 2026-07-29

Renewal fee

$600 Biennial registration fee (ORC 4751.24(B)(2); OAC 4751-1-10.1(A) and 4751-1-16(C)). A late fee of $50 per calendar quarter late applies, up to a $200 maximum, and reinstatement after lapse runs $300 to $500. Board source · checked 2026-07-29

Continuing education

40 hours per biennial cycle 40 continuing-education hours every two years; at least one course must be on ethics. Ohio completed its transition to a full every-other-year renewal cycle by 1/1/2026. Board source · checked 2026-07-29

Reciprocity / endorsement

endorsement available Ohio reviews out-of-state candidates for endorsement: a bachelor's degree, 9 to 12 months of qualifying administrator experience or internship, no license discipline, and a current active out-of-state license, followed by the Ohio NAB examination. A $150 out-of-state/endorsement fee applies (ORC 4751.45, 4751.04; OAC 4751-1-16(B)). Board source · checked 2026-07-29

Statutes and rules: Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4751 (Nursing Home Administrators); Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 4751-1. Figures change on the board's own schedule. Confirm against the board before you apply or pay.

1. Get your checklist. The requirements wizard resolves Ohio's requirements for your exact degree.
2. Plan your hours. The AIT-hours tracker turns Ohio's hour target into a finish date.
3. Moving here from another state? The reciprocity checker reads Ohio's endorsement rule.