Candidates who aspire to become CNAs need to attend the CNA training course and then clear the CNA certification examination with a good score. You then need to register with the State Nursing Board to start practicing as a licensed CNA. These are some of the requirements to obtain the license for CNA.
The CNA candidates need to register themselves with two types of databases – the federal database (which is at the national level) and the state database. There is a National Council which is formed by all the state nursing boards. This National Council is responsible for the administration and compilation procedures of the registration details of the candidates. Members of around sixty state boards make up the National Council. The National Council performs a variety of duties, and it is also responsible for maintaining a personnel registry that contains all the important details of the Certified Nursing Assistants. The National Council also sets certain rules and regulations which the CNAs need to adhere to.
Requirements for CNA License
Upon completion of the CNA training course, the CNA candidates need to appear for the CNA exam that consists of the written or theoretical test as well as the clinical or practical test. There are certain licensing requirements for CNAs which are as follows:
- Age: The CNA applicant should be minimum 18 years of age.
- Competency: The competency factor is based on the successful attempt of the written or theoretical test. The CNA candidates then have to undergo 40 hours of practical or clinical training. They have to train under the guidance and supervision of senior trained nurses.
- Education: The CNA candidates need to complete their high school education before they enroll for the CNA training course. At times, the candidates may also be required to submit a transcript.
- English proficiency: The CNA candidates need to be good in their communication and be fluent with English.
- You need to get the application form from the concerned licensing authority and then get it notarized. The applicant should fill up the application form and submit it to the State Licensing Office.
- Get details about the Verification of Training form so as to ensure that the school that you have passed out from is accredited.
- Submit the proofs for the background verification as well as the medical tests. You may also be required to submit a fingerprint card to the Public Safety Department.
- You need to then get an approval of the application form.
- Further, check for the fee for licensing, which varies according to the state.
- Remember never to follow up on your own with the State Nursing Board regarding your application. You will be notified regarding the application status from their end.
The nursing assistants at various levels find a place in the database of the National Council. All matters relating to the education and certification of CNA candidates are administered by the National Council. If the nursing assistants are found to be wrong or erring, then the state nursing board has all the right to take necessary disciplinary action against these nursing assistants. The state nursing board needs to inform the National Council accordingly about the action taken. The National Council then takes charge of the situation. A thorough investigation may be carried out against the erring nursing assistant to check as to what went wrong and what needs to be done.
The course of the disciplinary action also depends upon the degree or level of mistake. If the mistake is quite minor, then the disciplinary action may just be limited to an informal meeting explaining the issues to the erring nursing assistant and warning them not to repeat the mistake. If the degree of mistake is quite high, then the disciplinary body may get involved in the matter. The license of the CNAs may be at times revoked. The disciplinary body may also disclose all the facts related to the disciplinary action to the public.
Thus, in order to keep the CNA License active, the CNAs at all times must ensure that their record is clean. There are various kinds of rules and regulations laid down by both – the National Council as well as the Federal Board, which need to be adhered to by all the CNAs. There are a set of rules related to abuse as well as fraud issues pertaining to healthcare as well as health insurance that need to be taken note of.
There is also a tracking system that is available to get all the important information related to license approvals, decisions regarding licensing, affiliation as well as certification and the employment history of the CNAs. This tracking system serves a great deal in helping the National Council keep a strict watch on all the nursing assistants.
Renewal and Verification of the CNA License
The CNAs need to renew their CNA License on an annual basis. A renewal fee will be charged for this purpose. Some states also require the CNAs to continue their education for the purpose of renewal of the CNA License. You need to check all the requirements for licensing with the local licensing authority.
Just holding the CNA License is not sufficient. You also need to check for the validity of the license and verify the same. The process for verification of the CNA License is same as the renewal procedure. While applying for any jobs, you need to ensure that you are carrying a valid CNA License.
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