NARA National Regulatory Professional Credential (NRPC)

The National Association for Regulatory Administration (NARA) National Regulatory Professional Credential (NRPC) is designed to recognize the competencies required of a professional in the human care licensing field and is the only national certification for human care licensors.

You will receive your login credentials 7-10 business days after your payment has posted. For questions regarding your course registration, please email [email protected].

NARA National Regulatory Professional Credential (NRPC) Requirements:

1. Complete the following courses from the NARA Curriculum, either online or face-to-face:

• Introduction to Regulatory Enforcement;
• Introduction to the Licensing Process, Investigation, and Evidence;
• Balanced Use of Authority, Complaint Investigation, and Suppressing Illegal Operations; and 
• History, Concepts, Ethics, and Rule-Making in Human Care Regulation.

Register here for any or all of the four courses.
Credential costs include:

• Each course is billed at $125/course for members; and $250/course for non-members
• The initial exam fee is billed at $125 for members; and $250 for non-members
• Total Credential costs are:
• $625 for members
• $1,250 for non-members

2. Pass the NARA comprehensive exam with a minimum score of 75.

Register here for the exam. Please email us if ADA accommodations will be required for testing. 

Retaking the comprehensive exam: NARA Credential Exam 2nd Retake
A candidate must wait 15 days after the first attempt and will be charged $75 to take the exam a second time.

NARA Credential Exam 3rd Retake
A candidate must wait 30 days after the second attempt and will be charged $100 to take the exam a third, and final time.

If the candidate does not pass the comprehensive exam after the third attempt, he or she may petition for additional attempts. 

• Petitions to re-test must be submitted in writing explaining the extenuating circumstances why an additional attempt should be granted, to the Executive Director of NARA, who will make the final decision. 
• A fee of $150 will be assessed for subsequent attempts. 

3. Submit a letter of recommendation from a supervisor confirming the candidate is in good standing and demonstrates key performance skills for his or her regulatory responsibilities. This must be submitted through the linked Survey Monkey page by the supervisor.

4. Submit a signed pledge to follow the NARA Code of Ethics. 

5. Pay a non-refundable exam fee (pay upon registering for the courses or exam; NARA allows agencies to request an invoice for Purchase Orders at checkout. Please note: access to the exam will not be provided until the payment has been received.

• $125 for NARA members
• $250 for non NARA members, which includes a one-year individual membership  

Optional Distinction: 
Experienced Human Care Licensing Distinction: To receive this designation on the credential, the candidate must submit proof of at least two years of human care licensing experience. Applicable experience includes direct human care licensing, direct supervision of human care licensing staff or legal staff responsible for regulations. The supervisor can select “yes” if the distinction is applicable in the above recommendation letter link in Survey Monkey. 

Awarding the Credential

• NARA will review all submitted items and notify the candidate of missing materials within 60 days of submission.
• The candidate has 30 days from notification to submit any missing items.
• Credential will be awarded to all candidates who meet all of the listed requirements.
• Credential is valid for five years from the issuance date and then will need to be renewed to maintain a current credential. 

Refund and Credit Policy
Please review our Refund and Credit policy carefully so you understand what you are entitled to when registering for a course or credential program.