Nurse Aide Registries in the United States
Nurse aide employers use a state's Nurse Aide Registry to verify a nurse aide's status such as eligibility to work in a certified nursing home facility. Before allowing an individual to work as a nurse aide, the employer will contact the Nurse Aide Registry and verify that one has met that state's required training and examination criteria. All certified nurse aides are encouraged to call their state Nurse Aide Registry and maintain an active status on the Registry list.
Each state has its own Nurse Aide Registry which is responsible for establishing the nurse aide training and competency evaluation programs as well as keeping a record of all individuals who are qualified to work as a certified nurse aide in a specific state. The Nurse Aide Registry in every state has been created to address the following important functions: to approve and monitor all nurse aide training programs; to design the competency evaluation test required for all nurse aides who wish to become certified; to keep a record of all those certified as a nurse aide; to maintain and update records of client abuse, neglect or misappropriation of patient property; to periodically renew the registration for a nurse aide; and finally, to reimburse facilities or nurse aide students for costs associated with nurse aide training and testing programs. Use the map below to find the Nurse Aide Registry for any state.
Should you know about your state's nursing assistant registry? Absolutely. A state's nurse aide registry serves important functions for any certified nursing assistant as well as for those looking to become certified. An individual who has finished a nursing assistant training program and has passed the state competency exam becomes listed on the CNA registry. Employers check the registry listings to confirm that a potential employee satisfies the training and testing requirements to obtain a nursing assistant job. To work as a certified nursing assistant, your status on the CNA registry must be active, without any charges of resident abuse, neglect, or misappropriation. It is important to update your name and address on the registry. By doing so, your information is current and you are able to receive important documents sent by the registry.
For example, renewal forms are mailed to the address you have provided to the registry. You will not receive the certification renewal forms unless your address on the registry is accurate. One of the most frequent questions we get is how to get a copy of a CNA certificate. The nurse aide registry is in charge of issuing a duplicate of your nurse aide certificate and to obtain a copy you need to contact them. A nursing assistant certificate is typically reprinted when the original has been lost, accidentally destroyed, stolen, or when the individual has changed their name. The nurse aide registry is also the entity in charge of revoking a nursing assistant's certification in cases of neglect, abuse, or misappropriation of a client's property. In such cases, an individual's name is permanently listed on the registry along with the specific findings.
Questions, Comments, Suggestions
Name: C. Logan Date posted: July 11, 2009 - 05:15 AM
Message: Can I renew my CNA certification online?
Name: Jessica Date posted: July 13, 2009 - 04:47 PM
Message: Some states allow online certification renewals while others are still working on implementing this process. To find out if you are able to renew your CNA credentials online, check the renewal policies in your state by contacting the Nurse Aide Registry for your state.
Name: Lisa C. Date posted: July 15, 2009 - 09:35 AM
Message: How do I renew my nurse aide certificate?
Name: Admin Date posted: July 17, 2009 - 10:50 PM
Message: You need to contact the CNA Registry for your state (you can use the map above) or the agency which issued your certification to find out the exact requirements for CNA certification renewal in your state.
Name: Rachel Date posted: July 17, 2009 - 11:17 PM
Message: Can I get my CNA license number online?
Name: Admin Date posted: July 20, 2009 - 05:30 PM
Message: A CNA certification number can be usually obtained online. First access your state CNA registry page and then choose the licensure verification page. Enter your personal information in the required fields and submit the data. Your license number and status should be displayed as long as all the information you have entered is correct.
Name: Misty A. Date posted: July 30, 2009 - 02:50 PM
Message: Can I be registered as a CNA in more than one state?
Name: Admin Date posted: July 31, 2009 - 06:51 PM
Message: As far as I know, a certified nursing assistant in one state may apply for certification by endorsement in a new state and if the application is accepted and all the endorsement criteria are met then you may hold a CNA certificate in more than one state. Of course, you can always call the Nurse Aide Registries of both states and make sure this is the case before you apply but I don't see a reason why they would have an objection to this.
Name: Esmeralda F. Date posted: August 11, 2009 - 12:02 AM
Message: When do CNA licenses expire?
Name: Admin Date posted: August 12, 2009 - 11:23 PM
Message: CNA certificates are valid for two years in most states. Some certificates display an expiration date while others do not, depending on the state that has issued the certificate. In general, to keep a nurse aide certificate active you must renew it every twenty-four months. To verify if your nursing assistant certificate is active you may call or access the online verification system available on your state's CNA registry website.
Name: Troy H. Date posted: August 30, 2009 - 08:41 AM
Message: How do I check the status of my nursing assistant certification?
Name: Admin Date posted: August 31, 2009 - 06:44 PM
Message: Most states have an automated phone or an online verification system for checking the status of a nursing assistant certification. I could send you the online address or phone number if I knew the state in which you obtained certification. Feel free to write me back with the state information or you can locate this information yourself using the registry section on this website (see map above).
When asking a question, please provide as much relevant information as possible (for example include the state in which you are certified when asking about how to verify your license or about CNA classes in your area).