Nurse Aide I FAQ

Questions:

  1. Is training required?
  2. Where do I take state-approved training?
  3. When is retraining required?
  4. I am interested in becoming a Nurse Aide II. Where can I find more information?
  5. Who is eligible to take the state-approved competency exam without having to complete state-approved training?
  6. Who conducts the state-approved competency exam?
  7. What is the format for the state-approved competency exam?
  8. Is there a fee associated with taking the state-approved competency exam?
  9. How can I prepare for the state-approved competency exam?
  10. How do I get listed on the registry?
  11. Who must be listed on the registry?
  12. Is there a fee associated with being listed on the registry?
  13. How long does it take to be listed on the registry after I complete the state-approved exam?
  14. How can an employer verify my listing on the registry?
  15. How long will my name remain on the registry?
  16. I am currently listed on another state's Nurse Aide I Registry. May I transfer my listing to North Carolina?
  17. I’m moving to another state. May I perform nurse aide duties in another state?
  18. Will I be notified when it is time to renew my listing on the registry?
  19. Is there a fee to renew my listing on the registry?
  20. What types of work qualify for registry renewal?
  21. What types of work do not qualify for registry renewal?
  22. How can I renew my listing on the registry?
  23. How does the registry determine a listing expiration date?
  24. When will my listing renewal appear online in the registry?
  25. Upon renewal, why wasn’t my listing expiration date extended for two more years?
  26. Will I receive a card that indicates my name is on the registry?
  27. How do I report name/address changes to the registry?
  28. How can I contact the DHSR Registry Office that manages the registry?

Answers:

  1. Is training required?

  2. 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

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  3. Where do I take state-approved training?

  4. Click here to find a state-approved Nurse Aide I training program in your area.

    Since admission policies and class schedules vary, individuals should contact the training program directly to learn more information.

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  5. When is retraining required?

  6. When an individual does not meet the requirements to renew their listing on the North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry.

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  7. I am interested in becoming a Nurse Aide II. Where can I find more information?

  8. The North Carolina Board of Nursing regulates Nurse Aide IIs.

    Click here for contact information or call 919-782-3211.

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  9. Who is eligible to take the state-approved competency exam without having to complete state-approved nurse aide training?

  10. The following criteria apply:

    NOTE: Unlicensed nursing school students and graduates must have completed equivalent nurse aide training within the previous 24 months.

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  11. Who conducts the state-approved competency exam?

  12. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) developed the Nurse Aide I competency 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 NCSBN website.

    Click here to go to Credentia’s website. 

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  13. What is the format for the state-approved competency exam?

  14. Please review the Candidate Handbook available from Credentia. 

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  15. Is there a fee associated with taking the state-approved competency exam?

  16. Please review the Candidate Handbook available from Credentia.

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  17. How can I prepare for the state-approved competency exam?

  18. Please review the Candidate Handbook available from Credentia. 

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  19. How do I get listed on the registry?

  20. There are four (4) ways to become a Nurse Aide I.

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  21. Who must be listed on the registry?

  22. 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. 

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  23. Is there a fee associated with being listed on the registry?

  24. There are no registry fees.

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  25. How long does it take to be listed on the registry after I complete the state-approved exam?

  26. Individuals are listed on the North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry within 10 business days after successfully completing the North Carolina state-approved Nurse Aide I competency exam. 

    Click here to determine if your name has been added to the North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry.

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  27. How can an employer verify my listing on the registry?

  28. Employers can verify a listing by the following methods:

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  29. How long will my name remain on the registry?

  30. 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.

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  31. I am currently listed on another state's Nurse Aide I Registry. May I transfer my listing to North Carolina?

  32. 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. 

    Individuals must be listed on the North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry prior to working as a Nurse Aide in North Carolina. 

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  33. I’m moving to another state. May I perform nurse aide duties in another state?

  34. You must contact the registry in the state where you are moving to obtain state requirements.

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  35. Will I be notified when it is time to renew my listing on the registry?

  36. It is the responsibility of the Nurse Aide I to know when their listing expires and how to renew.

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  37. Is there a fee to renew my listing on the registry?

  38. There are no registry fees.

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  39. What types of work qualify for registry renewal?

  40. Qualified work for Nurse Aide employment must meet all the criteria below:

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  41. What types of work do not qualify for registry renewal

  42. The following types of work will not be considered for registry renewal:

    Important Notice:

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  43. How can I renew my listing on the registry?

  44. The paper renewal form will no longer be accepted by DHSR after August 31, 2021.

    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.

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  45. How does the registry determine a listing expiration date?

  46. 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.

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  47. When will my listing renewal appear online in the registry?

  48. It is recommended that Nurse Aides contact the Registry Office if their registry listing has not been renewed within 10 business days.  Due to high call volumes, you may experience extended wait times while contacting the Registry Office. 

    Click here to view a listing on the North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry.

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  49. Upon renewal, why wasn’t my listing expiration date extended for two more years

  50. 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.

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  51. Will I receive a card that indicates my name is on the registry?

  52. You will not receive a card.

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  53. How do I report name/address changes to the registry?

  54. 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 .

    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.

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  55. How can I contact the DHSR Registry Office that manages the registry?

  56. Click here to obtain the contact information for the DHSR Registry Office. 

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