Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry

Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry
Pennsylvania Department of Health - Division of Nursing Care Facilities
Room 526, Health & Welfare Building, 7th and Forster Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120
Phone: (800) 852-0518 or (717) 787-1816
The online Nurse Aide Registry is managed by Pearson VUE.
Phone: (800) 852-0518

For all those who want to become a nurse aide in Pennsylvania it is important to know that you need to be at least sixteen years old in order to be hired as a nurse aide. Furthermore, only those nurse aides who are enrolled in a CNA program, or are already certified and listed in good standing on the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry, can be employed in a long term care facility reimbursed by Medicare or Medicaid. All health care facilities must verify that a CNA job candidate is state qualified and has no history of client abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of property. Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry has an on-line verification system which can be used to verify the credentials and status of a nurse aide. In order to receive a nurse aide certification one must pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP). This state test evaluates the knowledge and skills learned throughout a nurse aide training class. An individual who obtains a passing score on the assessment test is considered qualified and able to safely perform the duties associated with an entry-level nursing assistant position.

CNA Registries in the United States

Select an area from the map below to find addresses and phone numbers for Nurse Aide Registries in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia as well as links to online nursing assistant registries if available.

Should you know about your state's nursing assistant registry? Absolutely. A state's nurse aide registry serves important functions for any certified nursing assistant as well as for those looking to become certified. An individual who has finished a nursing assistant training program and has passed the state competency exam becomes listed on the CNA registry. Employers check the registry listings to confirm that a potential employee satisfies the training and testing requirements to obtain a nursing assistant job. To work as a certified nursing assistant, your status on the CNA registry must be active, without any charges of resident abuse, neglect, or misappropriation. It is important to update your name and address on the registry. By doing so, your information is current and you are able to receive important documents sent by the registry.

For example, renewal forms are mailed to the address you have provided to the registry. You will not receive the certification renewal forms unless your address on the registry is accurate. One of the most frequent questions we get is how to get a copy of a CNA certificate. The nurse aide registry is in charge of issuing a duplicate of your nurse aide certificate and to obtain a copy you need to contact them. A nursing assistant certificate is typically reprinted when the original has been lost, accidentally destroyed, stolen, or when the individual has changed their name. The nurse aide registry is also the entity in charge of revoking a nursing assistant's certification in cases of neglect, abuse, or misappropriation of a client's property. In such cases, an individual's name is permanently listed on the registry along with the specific findings.

Questions, Comments, Suggestions

Karen E. D. on August 10, 2009 at 09:16 PM
I was a CNA in PA and my certificate expired in 2005. I now live in Ohio and wanted to know if I have to start all over or if I can just take the CNA exam. I have just graduated from Southwestern College in Franklin Ohio where I received a Medical Assistant diploma.

Admin on August 11, 2009 at 10:11 AM
Because your nurse aide certification has expired, your status is no longer active on the Pennsylvania CNA registry. This makes you ineligible for transferring your credentials to Ohio. To work as a certified nurse aide in Ohio, you need to complete a nursing assistant training program and pass the competency exam in this state. To see if any coursework completed in the medical assistant program may count towards the nurse aide training and also to make sure that the information above is correct, you should call and speak with a representative from the Ohio Nurse Aide Registry at (800) 582-5908 (in-state) or (614) 752-9500 (out-of-state). Good luck!

I am having trouble with renewing my CNA license in Pennsylvania. I got the renewal form in the mail and it was thrown out. How can I renew it without my numbers?

I would like to take the Pennsylvania exam for certified nursing assistants. How do I begin?

Are there any free CNA courses or employer-paid nurse assistant programs in Philadelphia?

Are there any CNA training courses that you know about around Coatesville, West Chester, Exton, King of Prussia or Philadelphia City?

Can I enroll in a CNA class without a high school diploma or GED?

CNA Resources

Being a Successful C.N.A

Besides knowledge and proficiency there are many qualities which define a competent CNA. Our list includes the answers of residents, families, and those of experienced nurse aides who have been in the health care field for an extended period of time. Most of the qualities listed below represent the reasons and motivational factors driving new individuals to become certified nurse aides.

A competent CNA shows support for others, as well as patience, compassion and empathy. To become a good nursing assistant one needs to understand the meaning of being a team player. An effective nursing assistant learns to become a good listener who cares about and understands the needs of the residents, has a helping nature and a positive attitude. Both patients and co-workers appreciate a smile, an upbeat personality, as well as someone who takes pride in their work. A nurse aide job requires good organizational skills, patience, good judgment, and effective communication.

Nurse Aide Registries