N.C. Department of Health and Human Services
Division of Health Service Regulation
Health Care Personnel Education and Credentialing Section
Individuals must successfully complete a state-approved Nurse Aide I training and competency evaluation program that meets the federal requirements of 42 CFR 483.152 or a state-approved competency evaluation program that meets the requirements of 42 CFR 483.154.
North Carolina is a reciprocity state per 10A NCAC 13O .0301.
State-approved Nurse Aide I training programs are offered at most community colleges and at various high schools, nursing homes, hospitals, home care agencies, and private businesses. Since admission policies and class schedules vary, individuals should contact the training program directly to learn more information.
Click here to find a state-approved Nurse Aide I training program in your area.
When an individual does not meet the requirements to renew their listing on the North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry.
The North Carolina Board of Nursing regulates Nurse Aide IIs.
Click here for contact information or call 919-782-3211.
The following criteria apply:
Click here to obtain the Training Waiver Application.
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) developed the Nurse Aide I exam known as the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP).
The NNAAP is the largest nurse aide certification exam program in the U.S.
On behalf of the NCSBN, Credentia administers the examination.
Credentia is the state-approved Nurse Aide I competency examination vendor for North Carolina.
Click here to go to the NCSBON website.
Click here to go to Credentia’s website.
Please review the Candidate Handbook available from Credentia.
Please review the Candidate Handbook available from Credentia.
Please review the Candidate Handbook available from Credentia.
There are four (4) ways to become a Nurse Aide I.
The North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry is a federally mandated registry for nursing homes.
Anyone who works as a Nurse Aide in a North Carolina nursing home must be listed on the North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry. This includes RNs, LPNs, and Nurse Aide IIs.
There are no registry fees.
Individuals are listed on the North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry within 3 business days after successfully completing the North Carolina state-approved Nurse Aide I competency exam.
You will not be notified by DHSR when your name has been added to the North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry. Instead, you should check the North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry to see if your name has been added. Click here to determine if your name has been added to the North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry.
New listings will be added to the public registry website the next business day after DHSR receives confirmation from Credentia that an individual successfully completed the North Carolina state-approved Nurse Aide I competency exam
Employers can verify a listing by the following methods:
New or updated listings will be reflected in the public registry website the next business day after DHSR receives confirmation from Credentia that an individual successfully completed the North Carolina state-approved Nurse Aide I competency exam or after DHSR has updated an existing listing on the registry.
The initial listing period starts on the day you successfully complete the North Carolina state-approved Nurse Aide I competency exam and ends, or expires, on the last day of the 24th consecutive month.
At renewal, the new listing period starts on the last date worked as a Nurse Aide performing nursing or nursing-related duties reported by a Registered Nurse on the Online Employment Verification Form and ends, or expires, on the last day of the 24th consecutive month.
Beginning in November 2007, all listing expiration dates fall on the last day of the 24th consecutive month.
North Carolina is a reciprocity state per 10A NCAC 13O .0301.
The Reciprocity Application must be submitted for DHSR approval to be listed on the North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry. Out of state private duty nursing employment does not qualify for reciprocity.
You must contact the registry in the state where you are moving to obtain state requirements.
Contact your training program, potential employer or DHSR for more information.
Nursing Homes Only: Review federal law 42 CFR § 483.35, general statute § 131E-255, and North Carolina session law 2022-74 (2022 appropriations act).
It is the responsibility of the Nurse Aide I to know when their listing expires and how to renew.
There are no registry fees.
Qualified work for Nurse Aide employment must meet all the criteria below:
The following types of work will not be considered for registry renewal:
The paper renewal form will no longer be accepted by DHSR after August 31, 2021.
You must renew your listing online before the listing expiration date.
Click here to obtain the Online Renewal Form (to be completed by the Nurse Aide).
Click here to obtain the Online Employment Verification Form (to be completed by a Registered Nurse). The Registered Nurse who submits the form to DHSR may be either the Nurse Aide’s direct supervisor or another Registered Nurse who has access to employment records.
The initial listing period starts on the day you successfully complete the North Carolina state-approved Nurse Aide I competency exam and ends, or expires, on the last day of the 24th consecutive month.
At renewal, the new listing period starts on the last date worked as a Nurse Aide performing nursing or nursing-related duties reported by a Registered Nurse on the Online Employment Verification Form and ends, or expires, on the last day of the 24th consecutive month.
Beginning in November 2007, all listing expiration dates fall on the last day of the 24th consecutive month.
By using the Online Renewal Forms, your listing may be updated in the North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry within 2 business days.
If you do not use the Online Renewal Forms, then it could take up to 10 business days or longer for DHSR to process your request.
Click here to view a listing on the North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry.
Expiration dates are calculated from the last date of qualified work that was reported on the Online Employment Verification Form by the Registered Nurse.
Beginning in November 2007, all listing expiration dates fall on the last day of the 24th consecutive month.
You will not receive a card.
You may report changes to DHSR by submitting the Name and Address Change Form.
You are asked to voluntarily provide your Social Security Number (SSN). This number is for record keeping and registry identification purposes only. Your SSN will remain confidential and will not be disclosed to the public.
All documents submitted to the registry may be verified with the issuing source before a change occurs.
It is the responsibility of the Nurse Aide I to ensure their name and contact information is up to date in the North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry.
Click here to obtain the contact information for the DHSR Registry Office.
Denotes link to site outside of N.C. DHHS