A comprehensive guide to the North Carolina CNA Registry: From application to renewal
Welcome to the gateway for becoming a CNA in North Carolina! The North Carolina CNA Registry serves as the authoritative hub, ensuring the qualification, competence, and adherence to standards for all CNAs in the state. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get on the North Carolina CNA Registry and essential details for maintaining an active status.
Requirements to get on the North Carolina CNA Registry
Fees
The application process is free of charge, however, there is a fee to take the competency examination.
Minimum Age
Some training schools will require you to be at least 17 years old to apply.
Minimum Education
Training school may require to have a high school diploma or a GED.
Training Requirements
To qualify you must complete a North Carolina state-approved Nurse Aide training program. Click here for a list of the state-approved training programs.
Under certain circumstances, it is also possible to apply for a training waiver (you must fulfill one of the requirements listed in the application). Should you already be an active RN or LPN in North Carolina, you can apply using the following application form to get listed as a Nurse Aide on the North Carolina Registry.
Competency Test
To be certified on the North Carolina Nurse Aide Registry, you must pass the Nurse Aide I competency test approved by North Carolina, unless you are applying as an already active RN or LPN.
Background Check
You will be required to undergo a fingerprint-based criminal background check.
Applying to appear on the North Carolina CNA Registry
Where to apply
After you completed your training program, the application to the competency exam is facilitated by Credentia. Create an account with Credentia here by clicking on Sign up. You can then register online for the competency test. More information can be found in the Nurse Aide Handbook. After passing the exam, you will be placed on the Nurse Aide Registry within 10 business days.
Required Documentation
You will need to upload your personal information as well as other documentation during the application process, including information about your training program.
Restrictions
If you have any findings against you, these will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and you must provide all information required by the Registry.
Processing Time
After passing the competency exam, you will be placed on the registry within 10 business days.
How to keep your license on the North Carolina CNA Registry
Stay Active
The certification period is for 24 months, and you must renew every 2 years by providing verification that you have worked a minimum of eight hours during the 24-month time frame in a nursing home or other health care setting. Additionally, the 8 hours of work must pertain to your responsibilities as a Nurse Aide, must be paid, and must be supervised by a registered nurse.
Renew
To renew your application, you must report your employment using a scannable renewal form sent by the registry three months before your certification expires. W-2 forms and other reporting methods are not accepted. The form must be completed by both you and your supervising registered nurse (RN). The RN’s signature on the form confirms that your work was supervised and includes the work dates. This signature does not verify competency and can be provided by the direct supervisor or another RN with access to employment records. Once the registry receives the verified work documentation, your certification will be renewed for 24 months, starting from the last qualified work date reported, with expiration dates at the end of the month. There are no fees to renew your certification.
Should you not receive the renewal form three months before your certificate expires, contact the registry using their contact form.
If you work in a non-nursing home setting, you are responsible for making sure your work will qualify and that you can have your employment verified and signed at the appropriate time for renewal.
Reactivate your expired license
If you do not perform 8 hours of nursing-related work during the last 24 months and your certification expires, you will be required to retrain and retest.
North Carolina CNA reciprocity
For those seeking reciprocity, additional information can be found on our North Carolina CNA Reciprocity page.
North Carolina Registry and contact details
Link to Registry: https://ncnar.ncdhhs.gov/ncna.html
Link to license lookup: https://ncnar.ncdhhs.gov/verify_listings1.jsp#verify
Contact information:
Email: Use the online contact form and choose Health Care Personnel Education and Credentialing
Phone: 1-800-662-7030
Address:
NC Department of Health and Human Services
2001 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-2000