To maintain active status, a nursing assistant has to renew his or her certification every twenty-four months. In order to qualify for renewal, the nurse aide needs to work for a minimum of eight hours within the two years prior to the renewal date. To be eligible for biennial renewal, a certified nursing assistant should work for paid compensation in a nursing home, hospital, home health agency, hospice, or mental health facility. Volunteer work, private sitting, work in assisted living facilities, or in a doctor's office is not accepted and does not meet the renewal requirements.