1. (a)

   1. (1) A facility must inquire of the Certified Nursing Assistant/Employment Clearance Registry as to information in the registry concerning any individual to be used as a nursing assistant.
   2. (2) A facility may not use an individual as a nursing assistant until registry inquiry and clearance is obtained.
   3. (3) Registry inquiries shall be performed within five (5) calendar days of the offer of employment and prior to any resident contact.
   4. (4) A facility must document all inquiries and must include such documentation in the personnel file of each nursing assistant used by the facility.

2. (b)

   1. (1) Registry clearance shall be obtained by computer access to the online website system.
   2. (2) The URL address to the online website system shall be issued by the Department of Human Services, or its designated agent, and may be subject to change.
   3. (3) If needed, facilities should contact the department for the latest website information.

3. (c)

   1. (1) The online website system will maintain an internal log of each inquiry made by Arkansas nursing facilities using a numeric code (registry identification number) assigned to each facility.
   2. (2) The internal log shall be monitored by the department to verify each facility’s compliance with inquiry requirements.

4. (d)

   1. (1) The online website system is capable of providing a printable registry clearance verification report document for the nursing facility’s use in recordkeeping.
   2. (2) The facility shall be required to print the registry clearance report and maintain this report in the employee’s personnel file.

5. (e)

   1. (1) Registry clearances accessed through the online system require the nursing assistant’s Social Security number and date of birth.
   2. (2) Facilities must have the Social Security number or certification number in order to ensure an accurate inquiry.
   3. (3) Name searches are possible on the online system but accuracy is not assured.

   4. (4)

      1. (A) Name searches may also be obtained by calling the department.
      2. (B)

6. (i) Please note, however, that name searches by calling the department do not generate a verification log of the clearance.

   1. (ii) Therefore, facilities shall avoid the use of name searches when the need for documentation and accuracy of the registry check is required.

Codification Notes: “URL” means Uniform Resource Locator.