Question

What is the fastest way to get my NC CNA license back if it expired?

Answer 1

If work requirements are not met for listing renewal, candidates must complete testing prior to their registry expiration date. Candidates must submit training waiver requests to NC DHHS. You may only apply for testing no more than 45 days prior to your registry expiration date. Once approved, you must complete testing before your listing expires on the registry. Candidates have three attempts to pass both portions of the examination in order to be placed on the North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry. Failure to do so will require training at a North Carolina state-approved training program and retesting of both portions of the examination. You should contact the N.C. Nurse Aide I Registry at 919-855-3969 for additional guidance.

Answer 2

Procedures for renewing a CNA license (expired or otherwise) depends on the procedures of the individual state's nurse aide registry. As I've alluded in other answers, each state may have different procedures and only processes for its own state. (as in, West Virginia's procedures for renewal only applies to West Virginia registrations; West Virginia cannot renew any other state registration, and other state's processes cannot be applied to West Virginia renewals)

Acquainting with the processes and criteria for renewal wherever you are certified would be a very good idea. Some states may require an application to be submitted, offer a fee, or need additional documents, or classes/training to be attended. Maybe certain work experience can't be accepted. A certain amount of hours may need to be worked or a nurse aide may need to be currently employed. Maybe a combination of these things need to be done within a certain timeframe before or after expiration. What you need to do may depend on how long your license is expired. Maybe superiors complete or assist with the process or maybe it's the nurse aide's responsibility.  A few states may not even have expirations or renewals, or leniencies may be in place due to the pandemic. (I can only speak for how WV does things)

Like I mentioned with transfers/reciprocities, just sending or submitting stuff doesn't automatically change your status. The other end receives it with plenty of others and may need to review it before you're officially renewed. Maybe the wrong form was sent or sending something isn't part of the renewal process (which makes knowing about the proper procedure for the state important). Because renewals can take some time as well, plan on managing it as early as you can to avoid or alleviate potential issues. One example of that I can give is that work or employment may be on the line after licenses expire (At least in WV, working CNAs with expired licenses is up to the individual facilities. Your employer's policies regarding work with an expired license may be something else to familiarize with)

In short, learn what you need to do for renewals in your state, do your part as soon as you can, and try to be flexible and patient as the process takes place. Like with transfers/reciprocities, the registry may have their own way of informing your renewed status you might want to watch out for too.