NC Administrator-In-Training Program
Guardian Admins — Administrator-in-Training (AIT) Program (120 hours)
Guardian Admins has developed the 120-hour Administrator-in-Training (AIT) Program to meet the educational needs of students seeking certification/approval as administrators of Adult Care Homes (ACH) and Family Care Homes (FCH). The Guardian Admins AIT Program is approved by the North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR) and meets the requirements of NCGS Chapter 90 Article 20.
Program Purpose
The purpose of the AIT Program is to encourage the professional development of AIT students in the field of ACH/FCH administration. The AIT program equips students with the knowledge and tools needed to successfully sit for the North Carolina Administrator Exam (administered by the NCDHSR Testing Unit) and to perform as caring and educated ACH/FCH administrators. A significant portion of the AIT program involves observing and participating in activities associated with practicing administration and providing resident care.
Please note:
All AIT program participants MUST complete the entire AIT program, BOTH phase I and phase II, within one year of registration. State rules and regulations are subject to change, and the AIT program’s curriculum will change as a result.
The Guardian Admins AIT program DOES NOT require out-of-class homework or written assignments.
AIT program completion requires successful completion of both Phase I (course modules) and Phase II (100 hours of supervised preceptorship).
Course Delivery options (choose one)
Self-Paced Online (recommended)
What it is: The full 20+ hours of Phase I course information is delivered as on-demand modules you can complete on your schedule. The content covers the same required topics, and more, as our live-in-person course and is presented with the same guidance and materials used in our instructor-led training.
Why choose this: Maximum flexibility — learn and study anytime, anywhere; On-demand convenient access to course materials and recordings; repeat lessons as needed while you complete the required preceptorship, if needed.
Includes: On-demand video lessons, downloadable AIT Program Manual (PDF), quizzes to check comprehension, certificate of completion, and downloadable resources (ex: program manual, documents, forms).
Support & Optional add-ons:
Included in the self-paced option is one FREE review and coaching session (1-hour only) with your Guardian Admins program provider. This session is scheduled separately once the self-paced course modules are completed.
Email support for course questions.
Additional optional add-ons (available for an extra fee) may include live Q&A sessions or 1:1 consultation and coaching time.
Self-Paced Tuition: $865 (plus processing fee). Full Tuition is required prior to access to the program manual and course content.
In-Person Virtual Class (Two-day Instructor-led)
What it is: A live, interactive session covering 20 hours of Phase I coursework, typically scheduled as two 10-hour days (approx. 9:00 AM–7:00 PM, depending on class flow).
Why choose this: Live interaction with the facilitator, real-time Q&A, and cohort (group) learning with other students when applicable.
Topics covered: (same as Self-Paced curriculum — see list below)
Tuition (Virtual In-Class): $950 (plus processing fee). Full Tuition is required prior to access to the program manual and course content.
Availability: Virtual cohorts are offered on a scheduled basis. Instructor-led cohorts remain available for those who prefer live instruction.
Phase I — Course Topics (20 hours)
During Phase I (self-paced modules or live virtual sessions), the facilitator covers the required topics including:
Overview of North Carolina Assisted Living Rules and Statutes
Resident Care Management
Medication Management
Business and Financial Management
Human Resources
Resident Rights
Admission/Discharge Processes
Physical Environment Management
Organizational Management
Food Service
Activity Planning
Phase II — Preceptorship (100 hours)
Satisfactory completion of the AIT Program requires the state-required supervised preceptorship. A preceptorship consists of a minimum of 100 hours of on-the-job training under an approved preceptor at a free-standing ACH or FCH.
The preceptorship provides supervised practice in areas such as:
Personnel (orientation, staff qualifications/requirements)
Business office/administration (admissions, resident funds, billing, marketing)
Resident care/personal care (assistance with ADLs)
Medication aide duties (administering, ordering/receiving, supervising medication passes)
Activities (scheduling, organizing, facilitating)
Dietary (food ordering, cooking, inventory)
Environmental/housekeeping (cleaning, laundry services)
Maintenance (water temperatures, life-safety systems, HVAC)
Community events, facility visits, and educational trainings
Preceptor Qualification REQUIREMENTS
An intended preceptor must meet the North Carolina DHSR preceptor qualifications. As the AIT program provider, Guardian Admins MUST gather documentation before approving your preceptor and preceptorship to begin.
Preceptor and documentation requirements include:
Copy of the currently active certified/approved ACH/FCH administrator standing with NC DHSR (copy of their most recent certificate/approval letter required). North Carolina standing as a certified/approved administrator is required of the intended preceptor.
The intended preceptor MUST have a Minimum of 2 years’ experience as an ACH or FCH Administrator.
Resume showing a minimum of 2 years administrator work history/experience.
Star Rating Requirement: The preceptorship location must have a minimum 3-Star rating (a copy of the current star rating is required).
Regular participation in required AIT preceptorship meetings using the NC DHSR AIT meeting forms.
Procuring a Preceptor
It is the responsibility of the AIT student to secure their own preceptor. Guardian Admins DOES NOT procure preceptors for individual students.
Reserved preceptorships: Guardian Admins may offer reserved preceptorships on a limited, availability-based basis. Reserved preceptorships with a Guardian Admins preceptor requires a signed professional service agreement with the principal preceptor and must be scheduled in advance. These preceptorships are only available on limited basis. If you do not have a signed professional service agreement on file with Guardian Admins, then you DO NOT have a preceptorship secured with a Guardian Admins preceptor. Registration for the AIT course DOES NOT automatically reserve a preceptorship with Guardian Admins. A signed professional service agreement is always required for Guardian Admins preceptorships. Preceptorship reservations are scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis and availability fills quickly.
Evaluation of Preceptorship
The progress of each AIT student is evaluated during the preceptorship using the required DHSR meeting and evaluation forms. To begin Phase II, the preceptorship, the student must receive approval from both Guardian Admins and their intended preceptor and must remain in compliance with Guardian Admins, preceptor, and state requirements throughout the preceptorship. Successful evaluations and compliance are required to receive the Guardian Admins AIT Program Certificate of Completion. Please ensure you take your preceptorship seriously.
AIT Program Manual
Guardian Admins provides a comprehensive AIT Program Manual to guide participants in preparing for certification as ACH/FCH administrators and while practicing as an administrator. The manual covers the most pertinent areas of administration and serves as a teaching aid during the course as well as a daily reference for practicing administrators. All paid participants receive the program manual via email after registration and payment.
Tuition, payment, and registration
Self-Paced Course: $865 (plus processing fee).
In-Person Virtual Class (2-days): $950 (plus processing fee).
Tuition must be paid in full to receive the AIT Program Manual and to be enrolled in the course. Payment may be made via credit/debit card online. An invoice will be provided for all payments.
Refund policy: Tuition is non-refundable. Prior to enrollment, please review the DHSR requirements to confirm you meet the state educational and background eligibility requirements for administrator certification. If you cannot become certified/approved by the state due to ineligibility, Guardian Admins will NOT issue a refund of tuition. All AIT program participants MUST complete the entire AIT program, BOTH phase I and phase II, within one year of registration. State rules and regulations are subject to change and the AIT program curriculum will change as a result.
Important student responsibilities & special notes
Keep this in mind: All AIT program participants MUST complete the entire AIT program, BOTH phase I and phase II, within one year of registration. State rules and regulations are subject to change and the AIT program information will change as a result.
Confirm your eligibility with the NCDHSR (educational, background check, and other requirements) before enrolling. Visit the DHSR website for the state’s current requirements.
The AIT student is responsible for securing their own preceptor for Phase II.
Every intended preceptor must be approved by Guardian Admins before the preceptorship can begin. Preceptor approval is granted via use of the preceptor application and required documents being submitted to Guardian Admins for review.
Guardian Admins aims for every student to sit for and pass the NC Administrator Exam and to become a certified/approved ACH/FCH Administrator. We encourage students to do their due diligence regarding their intended path prior to enrollment.