(1) An applicant for licensure as a nursing home administrator shall:

(a) Be at least 21 years old;

(b) Submit to DOH a completed application for licensure provided by DOH that includes all information requested and payment of fees as required in WAC 246-12-020 through 246-12-051 and WAC 246-843-990;

(c) Request the official transcripts of successful completion of a baccalaureate degree to be sent directly to DOH from a recognized institution of higher learning. If transcripts showing successful completion of a baccalaureate degree are not available, the recognized institution of higher learning must submit documentation specifically recognizing that the applicant has completed the requirements for a baccalaureate degree. A "recognized institution of higher learning" is a degree granting institution that is:

(i) Accredited by an organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and is included in the CHEA list recognized accrediting organizations; or

(ii) Accredited by an organization recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDOE) and is included in the USDOE Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs; or

(iii) A foreign institution with a program that the board has found to be the equivalent of programs approved by CHEA or by the USDOE. The transcript must also be evaluated and found to be valid and the academic program the equivalent of programs approved by CHEA or the USDOE, by:

(A) An organization that is a current member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES); or

(B) An organization that is a current member of the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE); or

(C) An organization that reviews foreign transcripts and is recognized by a Washington state department of health board or program.

(d) Documentation of having satisfied training requirements including that the applicant:

(i) Has successfully completed an AIT program as described in WAC 246-843-090 and 246-843-091; or

(ii) Has met the requirements for an AIT exemption described in WAC 246-843-093.

(e) Documentation that the applicant has successfully passed the examination as described in WAC 246-843-070.

(2) If an applicant is required to complete an AIT program, the applicant may concurrently earn their degree but shall submit proof of enrollment in a degree program at a recognized institution of higher learning. The transcript showing successful completion of the degree, sent directly from the institution, must be received before the applicant is approved to take the current NAB national examination.

(3) An applicant who has HSE designation from NAB may submit verification of the HSE directly from NAB to verify that he or she meets the requirements of subsection (1)(c) and (e) of this section.

(4) An applicant licensed as a nursing home administrator outside the state of Washington may apply for initial licensure through endorsement by meeting the requirements of WAC 246-843-230.