Eligibility Criteria

Outlines eligibility criteria necessary for North Carolina nursing assistant certification

This section explains:

What you need to do to become a nurse aide in North Carolina
What you need to do before you can take the NNAAP® test.

Eligibility for Employment as a Nurse Aide

All Candidates applying to take the NNAAP® Examination MUST complete a registration application online at https://credentia.com/test-takers/ncna/.

Candidates must pass both the written examination and the skills examination within two (2) years from the successful completion date of a state-approved training program or within three (3) attempts per exam, whichever comes first, to be placed on the North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry. Failure to do so will require Candidates to complete state-approved nurse aide training and competency testing again. In addition, a change in the eligibility route may require Candidates to complete state-approved nurse aide training and competency testing. An unexcused absence counts as an exam attempt.

Light Duty

Individuals are prohibited from taking the Skills Evaluation if on restricted activity or light duty due to medical reasons. Candidates must be able to complete all the required skills included in the Skills Evaluation. Candidates who are on light duty are not permitted to take the Skills Evaluation; however, they can take the written/oral exam. Appropriate medical documentation stating return to full, unrestricted duty is required to take the skills evaluation.

Eligibility Route

E1 - North Carolina State-Approved Nurse Aide I Trained Candidates

All candidates who have successfully completed a North Carolina state-approved Nurse Aide I training program.

E3 - North Carolina State-Approved Refresher Course Trained Candidates

All candidates who have successfully completed a North Carolina state-approved Nurse Aide I refresher course at a North Carolina state-approved Community College or Proprietary School.

E5 - North Carolina State-Approved Student Nurse Training Candidates

All candidates who are currently enrolled in a North Carolina state-approved nursing education program preparing for registered nurse or practical nurse licensure.

E8 - Other Trained

All candidates who are either an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), an out of state licensed nurse, an unlicensed nursing graduate, an unlicensed nursing student, or a military veteran who received nursing/medical training credentials while in the United States Armed Forces.

E9 - Out-Of-State Trained

All candidates who successfully completed a state-approved Nurse Aide I training program in another state, excluding North Carolina, within the previous twenty-four (24) consecutive months and are not listed on any state’s registry of nurse aides.

E10 - NC Registry Candidates

For all nurse aides listed as active and in good standing status on the North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry but do not meet the requirements for registry listing renewal.

E11 - Out-of-State Registry Candidates

For all out-of-state Candidates who are in active and good standing status on another state’s registry of nurse aides. Eligible Candidates must complete and submit a Reciprocity application (found at https://ncnar.ncdhhs.gov/) to NC DHHS for review and approval to be listed on the North Carolina Nurse Aide Registry without additional training or testing.