Do I Need Another RCFE Administrator When I Go on Vacation?
If you’re an RCFE administrator, you’ve probably heard that you must appoint another certified administrator when you go on vacation. The truth is, you don’t. There is no law or regulation in Title 22 or the California Health & Safety Code that requires a backup administrator during your time off. This is one of those long-standing RCFE myths that has been repeated so often that many people still believe it.
According to Title 22, section 87405(a), when the administrator is away, there simply needs to be coverage by a designated substitute who is “qualified to be responsible and accountable for the management and administration of the facility.” That means your substitute does not have to be another certified administrator, just a capable employee or facility manager who can handle operations while you’re gone. As long as someone is in charge and understands how to manage emergencies, medications, and residents’ needs, your facility stays compliant.
You also don’t need to update your LIC 308 form unless the designated person actually changes. Even if you’re gone for more than 10 days, your administrator status remains valid, and your facility continues to operate under your license. The idea that a second administrator must take over is a misunderstanding, Title 22 does not say that anywhere.
In short: when you take a vacation, you can designate a trusted employee to manage the facility temporarily, no need to hire or name another administrator. At National Care Professionals Institute (NCPI), we help administrators stay compliant with California Title 22 regulations through affordable RCFE training courses. Don’t overpay for staff training, get clear, compliant guidance from California’s trusted RCFE experts.
