HSE Education Pathway

HSE Education Pathway

Education Pathway to the Health Services Executive (HSE™) Designation

The Education Pathway is available to graduates of NAB HSE accredited academic programs.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify through the HSE Education Pathway, applicants must meet all the following criteria:

  • Submit an official transcript demonstrating completion of a bachelor’s degree or higher from an NAB HSE accredited academic program.
  • Achieve a passing score on the national NAB Exams including*:
    • Core of Knowledge Examination (CORE)
    • Nursing Home Administrator (NHA)
    • Resident Care/Assisted Living (RCAL)
    • Home and Community‑Based Services (HCBS)
  • Complete a National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) self‑query and submit the report to NAB with no disqualifying actions identified
  • Verify completion of a 1,000‑hour Administrator Residency/Administrator‑in‑Training (AIT) program, if not completed through your university’s academic program
  • Complete and submit the online HSE™ application through NABVerify

Exam Approval

* While the examinations do not need to be passed prior to submitting an HSE application, the HSE designation will not be awarded until all exams have been successfully completed.

For candidates participating in the Education Pathway:

  • Your state licensing board/agency serves as the approving jurisdiction for the CORE & NHA examinations. NAB will serve as the approving jurisdiction for the RCAL & HCBS exams.

Graduation Status and Exam Eligibility

Did you graduate more than 3 months ago from a NAB HSE accredited program?

YES!

If you still need to take the NHA and/or NAB Core examination(s) and you graduated more than three (3) months ago, you must apply for those exams through your state licensing board/agency. You may have to submit an NHA license application with your state. NAB does not approve candidates for the NHA or Core exams.

NO!

If you are on track to graduate within the next three (3) months or graduated within the past three (3) months, you may use the HSE Ready option and apply for all required exams under the HSE‑NAB jurisdiction, without applying for licensure through a state at that time.

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Accreditation Timing Guidance

  • Graduates of universities that were previously NHA‑accredited by NAB (identified with *** on the accredited universities list) may apply through the Education Pathway if they graduated within three (3) years of the university’s HSE accreditation date.
  • Graduates of newly HSE‑accredited universities may apply through the Education Pathway if their graduation date is after the university’s original HSE accreditation date.

Exam Fee Discount for Graduates

Graduates of an NAB‑accredited HSE program are eligible for a one‑time 15% discount (up to $25) on the RCAL and HCBS examinations when applying through the Education Pathway. The discount must be used within six (6) months of graduation and cannot be combined with other offers.

For discount details, please contact hse@nabweb.org.

For additional questions or more information about the HSE Education Pathway, please email hse@nabweb.org.

Explore the Value of the HSE™ Education Pathway