Brookdale Senior Living cares for approximately 375 assisted living residents in five (5) communities in Virginia. 

On May 8, 2007 Governor Kaine sent a letter to Secretary Tavennar requesting that the Department of Health Professions revisit the need for a national exam in addition to a state exam pertaining to assisted living administrators.  

Going along with Governor Kaine’s recommendations, Brookdale strongly supports the elimination of the “NAB Residential Care/Assisted Living Administrators” licensing examination (“NAB Exam”) and replacing it with a state exam that is focused on assisted living requirements in Virginia.

While although the “NAB Exam” may be beneficial for nursing home administrators, it is not beneficial for assisted living administrators.  The “NAB Exam” tests on federal requirements that are not relevant to assisted living administrators and it does not test on Virginia requirements applicable to assisted living administrators.

In addition, the health care industry is facing a labor shortage and unfortunately this trend will continue.  The cost of this exam is $400, therefore, prohibitive for many individuals who cannot afford to take the “NAB Exam.”  If the requirement continues for our administrators, this will hurt us from a recruitment standpoint and may cause our administrators to move out of the state.

Finally, we note that several administrators have posted comments in support of the elimination of the “NAB Exam” but are requesting that those who have already passed the “NAB Exam” be given “grandfather” status.  We support this position.  

We thank you for allowing us to provide comments as it relates to this matter.

Sincerely,

Michael S. Pochowski

Brookdale Senior Living Inc.

Regulatory Affairs Manager