Nursing home administrator license requirements in Virginia.

Board

Virginia Board of Long-Term Care Administrators (Department of Health Professions) Board source · checked 2026-07-24

Education floor

60+ college semester hours At minimum, 60+ semester hours from an accredited college (associate-level) qualifies for the full 2,000-hour AIT program. A baccalaureate or master's degree reduces the required AIT hours. Board source · checked 2026-07-24

Administrator-in-Training hours

320 to 2,000 hours depending on your degree

• 320 hours: Master's or baccalaureate degree in a health-care-related field: 320 hours (a supervised internship on the education pathway).
• 1,000 hours: Master's degree in a non-health-care field: 1,000 hours.
• 1,500 hours: Baccalaureate in a non-health-care field: 1,500 hours.
• 2,000 hours: 60+ semester hours from an accredited college: 2,000 hours. Up to 1,000 hours of credit may apply for qualifying prior health-care experience (for example assistant administrator, director of nursing, or supervisory RN).

Board source · checked 2026-07-24

National NAB exams

Required (CORE of Knowledge + Nursing Home Administrator) All four Virginia qualification pathways require a passing grade on the national examination. Board source · checked 2026-07-24

Separate state exam

Not required Virginia relies on the national NAB examination; no separate Virginia state exam is required. Board source · checked 2026-07-24

Initial license fee

$315 Licensure application fee $315, plus a separate $215 AIT-program application fee paid when the Administrator-in-Training program is registered. Board source · checked 2026-07-24

Renewal fee

$315 Annual license renewal. Late renewal adds $110; reinstatement is $435. Board source · checked 2026-07-24

Continuing education

20 hours per annual cycle 20 approved hours per renewal year: up to 10 may be internet or self-study, at least 2 must address care of residents with mental or cognitive impairment (including dementia). The first renewal after initial licensure is exempt. Board source · checked 2026-07-24

Reciprocity / endorsement

endorsement available Virginia licenses by endorsement (18VAC95-20-225): hold a current, unrestricted license from any state or the District of Columbia, and either show active practice as a licensed nursing home administrator or provide written evidence of education and experience meeting Virginia's qualifications. A $35 out-of-state license-verification fee applies. Board source · checked 2026-07-24

Statutes and rules: Title 18 Agency 95 Chapter 20, Virginia Administrative Code (18VAC95-20); Code of Virginia Title 54.1 Chapter 31. 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 Virginia's requirements for your exact degree.
2. Plan your hours. The AIT-hours tracker turns Virginia's hour target into a finish date.
3. Moving here from another state? The reciprocity checker reads Virginia's endorsement rule.