N.C. Department of Health and Human Services
Division of Health Service Regulation
Health Care Personnel Education and Credentialing Section

The N.C. Nurse Aide I Registry is a registry of all people who meet the state and federal training and testing requirements to perform Nurse Aide I tasks. It also has information about substantiated findings of resident abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of resident property in a nursing home.

By federal and state requirements, anyone who works as a nurse aide in a nursing home must be listed on the Nurse Aide I Registry. This includes RNs, LPNs, and Nurse Aide IIs. N.C. Medication Aides who work in nursing homes must also be listed on the Nurse Aide I Registry. Note: Nursing homes may not hire nurse aides who have substantiated findings of resident abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of resident property in a nursing home.

Nurse Aide I scope of practice information and Nurse Aide II information can be found on the N.C. Board of Nursing web site.

State and federal regulatory information for the Nurse Aide I, including registry, training and competency requirements are in N.C. § 131E-255 ; 42 U.S.C. § 1395i-3(e); 42 U.S.C. § 1396(r)(e); and 42 CFR 483, Subpart B 483.75(e) ; 42 CFR 483, Subpart D 483.150-158 ].

How to Become a Nurse Aide I

To become a Nurse Aide I, one must do one of the following:

• Pass state-approved Nurse Aide I training and competency testing
• Pass state-approved Nurse Aide I competency testing once a training waiver has been reviewed and approved
• Request listing based on a qualified N.C. nursing license

Listing for Out-of-State Nurse Aides

Out-of-State Nurse Aides may be able to be listed on the NC Nurse Aide I Registry by either completing a Training Waiver or Reciprocity Application. Eligibility for each are listed below.

• Training Waiver
  • Must have completed a state approved nurse aide training program in another state within the last 24 months;
  • Must be currently listed on another state's registry in an unexpired status and in good standing.
  • Must have completed a state-approved nurse aide training program, passed competency testing and be listed on another state's nurse aide registry;
  • Must be currently listed on another state's registry in an unexpired status and in good standing, having no pending or substantial findings of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or misappropriation of resident of patient property on another State's registry of nurse aides;
  • Must have been employed as a nurse aide for monetary pay consisting of at least eight (8) hours of time worked performing nursing or nursing related tasks delegated and supervised by an RN in the previous 24 consecutive months can apply for reciprocity.

  Listing for Licensed Nurses

  Licensed nurses may be listed with no additional training or testing. To qualify, a nurse must do/meet all of the following:

  • Have a current, unrestricted license to practice in N.C.
  • Submit the Application to Be Listed on the N.C. Nurse Aide I Registry (RNs or LPNs only) (PDF 52 KB) to the registry

  Nurses with restricted licenses may contact our office for listing procedures.

  Training

  State-approved Nurse Aide I Training Programs are offered at community colleges, health care facilities and private companies. Below are resources to find a program in your area:

  • Guide to State-Approved Nurse Aide I Training and Competency testing
  • Contact registry staff

  Note: former nurse aides and emergency medical personnel can obtain refresher course and nurse aide transition course information from their local community college .

  Testing

  Credentia is the state-contracted provider of Nurse Aide I competency evaluation (testing). Credentia works to schedule and provide tests. Candidates must obtain registration information, apply for and schedule their Nurse Aide I Competency exam by visiting the Credentia website . Candidates can obtain a Nurse Aide I candidate handbook in these ways:

  • By contacting their training program instructor (if enrolled in a state-approved training)
  • By visiting the Credentia web site
  • By calling Credentia at 1-888-723-6773 or 1-888-204-6249

  Reporting Name and Address Changes

  Nurse Aide Is must report name and address changes to the registry. Failure to report changes may delay or prevent delivery of your renewal notice. You may report your changes in these ways:

  • By using the Name/Address Change Reporting Form (PDF, 44 KB)
  • By calling the registry - for a mailing address change only
  • By writing the registry
    
    • For a mailing address change, include the following:
      
      1. Your social security number (SSN)
      2. Your name
      3. Your new mailing address
         
    • For a name change, include the following:
      
      1. A COPY of your new, SIGNED social security card that displays the new name
      2. A COPY of the court-issued marriage certificate, divorce decree, or other legal document that clearly states (or demonstrates) the name change
      3. Your previous name, full new name, mailing address, phone number, and SSN

    Note: If you are listed on the N.C. Medication Aide Registry or Geriatric Aide Registry, your changes will also appear there.

    You are asked to voluntarily provide your 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.

    Renewal

    A nurse aide may renew through qualified work experience (at least 8 hours) completed during every two years. The qualified work can occur in a nursing home or other health care setting and must meet ALL of the following criteria:

    1. The work is for pay (monetary compensation)
    2. The duties are those of a nurse aide (refer to the N.C. Board of Nursing Nurse Aide I task list )
    3. The duties are supervised by a registered nurse (refer to the N.C. Board of Nursing Nurse Aide I task list )
    4. The number of hours worked is at least eight (8), during the aide's 24 month registry listing period

    Reporting Employment: Nurse aides are required to report their employment on a scannable renewal form. The forms are mailed by the registry to eligible nurse aides three months before the listing expiration date. W-2 forms and other methods of reporting are not accepted. The aide and supervisor must complete the form to report the work experience.

    RN Signature: The signature of an RN is required on the scannable renewal form to verify that RN-supervised nurse aide work was performed by the aide and the date(s) of the work. The RN signature does not verify competency. The RN who signs may be either the aide's direct supervisor or another RN who has access to the employment records.

    Length of Extension: Upon receipt of the proper qualified work verification, the registry will renew the aide’s listing. The renewal is for 24 months, beginning from the last qualified work date (month) that was reported on the work verification. Expiration dates are at the end of the month.

    Aide's Responsibility: Renewal is the aide's responsibility. Report name and address changes promptly. Contact the registry if you do not receive your renewal application on time. You can download a Request for a Replacement Renewal Form (PDF, 36 KB) to request that a renewal application be sent to you by mail.

    Note: Nurse aides working in non-nurisng home settings are responsible for making sure their work will qualify and that they can have their employment verified/renewal forms signed by a registered nurse (RN) at the appropriate time for renewal.

    Required Re-testing

    A new N.C. state-approved Nurse Aide I training and competency testing is required if a nurse aide does not perform at least 8 hours of qualified work during any 24-month period.

    See Also:

    • Nurse Aide I FAQ
    • State Nurse Aide Registry List

    Denotes link to site outside of N.C. DHHS