As an assisted living administrator for 12 years I feel that the National Exam is extreme.  We started with very simple requirements to be an administrator and then overcorrect with a National exam.  I feel that there are many smaller homes that can not afford a national exam and there are many administrators who may not be able to pass the exam.  Why not start with a state exam since we are regulated by our state?  If we are required to take a national exam why arent' the other states required to be LALA?  The State Regulations are our guide to run our facilities and the test does not revolve around that.  I feel that it would be better to start with a state test and move forward from there.