Frequently Asked Questions - Test Sites

  1. What Resources Are Available To Test Sites?


  2. How Can I Become A Test Site?

    Test Sites choose to be either an In-facility Test Site (RTS), Regional Test Site (RTS), or both. 

    Refer to the information below
    INF Test Sites
    Regional Test Sites

  3. How Long Does It Take To Become A Test Site?

    If the Test Site existed in Credentia’s legacy system and provides timely responses with all required documentation, then re-approval and onboarding takes approximately 5-10 business days.

    For new Test Sites, please contact the DHSR Education Consultant for your region if the time period has extended beyond 45 calendar days. 

  4. When Should Test Dates Be Submitted?

    Test dates should be submitted at least 30 calendar days prior to the desired test date. Once submitted, allow up to 72 hours for your request to be processed.

    This will allow:

    • Credentia time to communicate the test date to Nurse Aide Evaluators.
    • Nurse Aide Evaluators time to review their availability.
    • Candidates time to register for the exam.
    • Credentia time to create the final roster of Candidates for the Nurse Aide Evaluator and Test Site.
    • Credentia and the U.S. Postal Service time to ship any required materials.

  5. Does Credentia Automatically Create Test Dates?

    Beginning in January 2026, Credentia implemented technology that would automatically create test dates and assign Nurse Aide Evaluators.

    Below is an overview of the new process.

    • Test sites update their location’s availability, usually in three-month intervals.
    • The test system automatically creates test events and notifies Nurse Aide Evaluators and Test Sites. This eliminates the need for Test Sites to manually submit test date requests.

    As long as Test Site availability is kept up to date, the process should be almost entirely automated.

  6. How Frequently Should Test Sites Submit Test Dates For The Skills Exam?

    Test Sites submit test dates to Credentia based on their location’s availability.

    Test Sites are encouraged to offer the exam frequently because Candidates have 24 months and 3 attempts to take the exam after successfully completing a training program.

  7. How Can Test Sites See All Test Dates Submitted For Their Location?

    Test Sites can see the test dates they submitted by going to the Slot Management tab.

  8. Do Test Sites Have To Find A Nurse Aide Evaluator For Their Test Date?

    Test Sites are not required to find Nurse Aide Evaluators before or after submitting their test dates.

  9. When Can Test Sites See The Test Dates Confirmed With A Nurse Aide Evaluator?

    Test Sites can see confirmed test dates by going to the Exam List tab.

  10. Can Test Sites Offer Two Half Day Test Sessions?

    Test Sites determine if a test event will be split into two different registration periods for Candidates. While it is one exam event, it’s divided into morning and afternoon sessions with a maximum of six (6) Candidates per session.

    During the registration process, Candidates must first register for the morning (AM) exam session and once it is full, then the afternoon exam session will become available for scheduling. 

    Test Sites should contact Credentia if the test event hours do not match what was submitted.

  11. How Can Test Sites Schedule A Two-Bed Event?

    Submit two (2) single-bed event requests for the same day through the Credentia test system. This ensures the system recognizes each request as a single-bed event with 12 Candidates.

    • Ensure the Capacity Type is set to “BED”
    • Ensure the Number of Capacity is set to “1”

    Once both requests are submitted, email Credentia at [email protected] with the subject line NC – Request For 2 Bed Event Submitted.

    In your email, include the following items:

    • The Slot IDs for both single-bed requests
    • A clear and concise note indicating that these requests are intended to be combined into a two (2) bed event

  12. How Can Test Sites Only Make Their Test Seats Available To Their Students?

    When the Test Site is established with Credentia, they can choose to be an In-facility Test Site (INF). 

  13. How Can Test Sites Make Their Test Seats Available To The General Public?

    There are three options:

    • When the Test Site is established with Credentia, they can choose to be a Regional Test Site (RTS).
    • Test Sites can email Credentia at [email protected] and request that the INF test date be changed to a RTS test date.
    • Effective January 28, 2026, Test Sites can go into Credentia’s system and change the status of open test seats from In-Facility Test Seats (INF) to Regional Test Seats (RTS). To convert unused test seats, go to the Events tab and select View Event. Then scroll to the bottom of the page and click the box labeled Open INF to RTS Candidates. By checking the box, the status changes only for the selected test date.

    All examination deadlines for test events still apply.

  14. How Can Test Sites Make Their Test Seats Available To Selected Members Of The General Public?

    Test Sites can communicate their INF code issued by Credentia with other Test Site personnel. 

    Credentia and DHSR will not share the INF code because the test site must approve “non-students” to test at their location. 

    All examination deadlines for test events still apply.

  15. How Can Test Sites View Exam Rosters?

    Beginning in December 2025, Test Sites can view their confirmed exam event rosters even if no candidates are registered. Test Sites should go to the Events tab by selecting the View icon to access the Event Details page.

  16. What Is The Minimum Number Of Candidate Registrations Needed Before A Skills Exam Is Cancelled?

    A skills exam will be cancelled if the minimum number of Candidate registrations is not met.

    The minimum number of Candidate registrations is five (5).

  17. How Can Test Sites View Candidates That Did Not Show Up For The Exam?

    Within Credentia’s system, Test Sites should go to the Candidate Details tab and review the information in the EXAMSTATUS column.

  18. Are Pass Rates Based On Where The Candidates Completed Test Activities?

    Pass rates are calculated based on where Candidates complete the training course, not the test location. 

    Sharing open test seats will not affect a training program’s pass rates.

  19. Can Test Sites Offer The Exam In Rooms With Windows?

    Candidates may complete their exam in a room with windows. However the windows must be completely covered. This is to ensure that no one outside the testing room can distract the candidate during testing.

  20. Do All Nurse Aide Evaluators Follow The Same Standard Procedures And Evaluation Criteria Across All States.

    All Nurse Aide Evaluators follow the same standard procedures and evaluation criteria across all states.

    Nurse Aide Evaluators will have limited interaction with Candidates because the tests provided are credentialing exams. 

    Nurse Aide Evaluators will not respond to questions while Candidates are performing the skills exam.

    Nurse Aide Evaluators will not tell a Candidate whether they performed a skill or task correctly.

    Candidates may not receive help from anyone during the skills exam.

  21. How Do Nurse Aide Evaluators Get Notified Of Test Dates?

    Nurse Aide Evaluators are notified of available events via SMS and email.

    Notifications initially target a 50-mile radius. If no confirmations are received within five (5) business days, the radius expands to 100 miles.

  22. Can Training Programs Test Their Own Students?

    Per the guidance provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in the State Operations Manual, DHSR considers training programs testing their own students a conflict of interest. 

  23. How Should Test Sites Contact Credentia?

    For general or Candidate support, email Credentia at [email protected]

    For facility onboarding and application support, email Credentia at [email protected]

    For event submission and detail support, email Credentia at [email protected]

  24. What Is The Escalation Process If Credentia Has Not Resolved An Issue Within 5 Business Days?

    High Schools should report issues to the Health Science Education Consultant at the Department of Public Instruction (DPI).

    Test Sites, Community Colleges, Healthcare Facilities, Proprietary Schools, and Universities should report issues to DHSR.

Link goes outside of N.C. DHHS. Denotes link to site outside of N.C. DHHS