90-285. Functions and duties of the Board.

The Board shall meet at least once annually in Raleigh or any other location designated by the chairman and shall have the following functions and duties:

(1) Develop, impose and enforce rules and regulations setting out standards which must be met by individuals in order to receive and hold a license as a nursing home administrator, which standards shall be designed to insure that nursing home administrators shall be individuals who are of good character and who are otherwise suitable, by education, training and experience in the field of institutional administration, to serve as nursing home administrators.

(2) Develop and apply appropriate methods and procedures, including examination and investigations, for determining whether individuals meet such standards, and administer an examination at least twice each year at such times and places as the Board shall designate.

(3) Issue licenses to qualified individuals consistent with G.S. 90-278 and G.S. 90-287 and any rules adopted by the Board implementing those provisions.

(4) Establish and implement procedures designed to insure that individuals licensed as nursing home administrators will, during any period that they serve as such, comply with the requirements of such standards.

(5) Receive, investigate, and take appropriate action with respect to any charge or complaint filed with the Board to the effect that any individual licensed as a nursing home administrator has failed to comply with the requirements of such standards.

(6) Conduct a continuing study and investigation of nursing homes and nursing home administrators within the State in order to make improvements in the standards imposed for the licensing of administrators and of procedures and methods for the enforcement of such standards, and to raise the quality of nursing home administration in such other ways as may be effective.

(7) Conduct, or cause to be conducted by contract or otherwise, one or more courses of instruction and training sufficient to meet the requirements of this Article, and make provisions for the conduct of such courses and their accessibility to residents of this State, unless it finds that there are sufficient courses conducted by others within this State. In lieu thereof the Board may approve courses conducted within and without this State as sufficient to meet the education and training requirements of this Article.

(8) Make rules and regulations, not inconsistent with law, as may be necessary for the proper performance of its duties, and to take such other actions as may be necessary to enable the State to meet the requirements set forth in section 1908 of the Social Security Act, the federal rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and other pertinent federal authority.

(9) Receive and disburse any funds appropriated or given to the Board, including any federal funds, to carry out the purposes of this Article.

(10) Maintain a register of all applications for licensing and registration of nursing home administrators, which register shall show: the place or residence, name and age of each applicant; the name and address of employer or business connection of each applicant; the date of application; information of educational and experience qualifications; the action taken by the Board and the dates; the serial number of the license issued to the applicant; and such other pertinent information as may be deemed necessary.

(11) Develop an administrator-in-training program to insure that nursing home administrators have adequate training and experience prior to licensure.