(b) Administrator.

1. (1)

   1. (A) Each nursing home shall have a full-time (minimum forty (40) hours per week) administrator on the premises during normal business hours who shall be currently licensed as a nursing home administrator in accordance with Arkansas Code § 20-10-401 et seq., and the rules promulgated thereunder.
   2. (B) Each facility administrator, if required, should provide verification that a minimum of forty (40) hours is spent in the facility.
   3. (C) The administrator must have responsibility for overall operation of the facility and is responsible for any noncompliance with rules found in the nursing home.
   4. (D) Correspondence between the Office of Long-Term Care and the facility shall be through the licensed administrator.

2. (2)

   1. (A) The licensed administrator shall not leave the nursing home premises during the day tour of duty without first delegating authority in writing to a qualified individual who may manage the facility temporarily during the administrator's absence.
   2. (B) Nursing personnel on the day tour of duty shall not be delegated authority to operate the facility unless relief nursing personnel are employed to replace the selected nurse.
   3. (C) Also, the facility administrator shall notify the office in writing if an absence from the facility will exceed seven (7) consecutive days.
   4. (D) The name of the individual who will be administratively in charge of the facility should also be listed in the letter.

3. (3)

   1. (A) Administrators-in-training shall receive training in facilities that employ a full- time licensed administrator.
   2. (B) Administrators-in-training shall not serve as a nursing home administrator until such time that a nursing home administrator's license is obtained.
   3. (C) Applicants that qualify to take the administrator's examination shall not practice as a nursing home administrator until licensed by this office.
4. (4) As specified in Arkansas Code § 20-10-402(a), it is unlawful for any person to act or serve in the capacity of nursing home administrator in this state unless such person has been licensed under Arkansas Code § 20-10-401 et seq.