According to the Department of Labor, nursing aides held about 1.5 million jobs in 2008.
Certified nursing assistants provide direct patient care -- including feeding, bathing and positioning -- in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities. The 2010-2011 edition of the "Occupational Outlook Handbook" predicts that job opportunities for nursing assistants will grow by 18 percent between 2008 and 2018. Although most states require nursing assistants to meet certain requirements before working, not all states issue CNA licenses or certifications; some simply register CNAs in the state nursing directory. If a CNA moves, he may be able to transfer his license under certain conditions.
Valid License
In order for a state to recognize another state's CNA license, registration or certification, the license must be currently valid. Suspended or otherwise inactive licenses are not acceptable. If a CNA has let her license, certification or registration expire, her new state will require her to retake her training and sit for a state competency exam.
Clean Record
Even if the CNA license, certification or registration is valid, there must be no findings of abuse on a CNA's record. In other words, a CNA cannot simply change states in order to escape a bad record. If the new state's board of nursing investigates a CNA and discovers evidence of abuse, it will not issue a license or list the CNA on its registry. A history of criminal offenses, especially violent offenses or crimes against children or the elderly, may also disqualify a CNA from transferring a license. Some states have stricter guidelines concerning past convictions than others.
Reciprocity
When a state agrees to recognize a license from another state, this is known as "reciprocity." The exact rules for reciprocity vary by state, but they generally involve contacting the state board of nursing to request an application. The state may ask for proof of current license or registration; employment history; and a certificate of graduation from nursing assistant training. The new state may also ask for fingerprints to perform a criminal background check.
Continuing Education Credits
A CNA may need to acquire continuing education credits before transferring his license. However, some states allow CNAs to work while they accumulate continuing education hours. In some areas, federal workforce programs will cover the cost of this training for qualified applicants.
Keeping Your Original License
It is possible to keep your CNA license in your old state and your new one, as obtaining a new CNA license does not cancel out the old one. This generally involves working a minimum number of hours in each state, fulfilling all continuing education requirements and renewing your licenses on time.
Tags: nursing assistants, another state, board nursing, certification registration, continuing education, license certification
