9605.1 To qualify for certification by examination, an applicant shall:

1. (a) Receive a passing score on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) or another national examination approved by the Board; and
2. (b) Meet requirements of this chapter.

9605.2 To apply for authorization to take the NNAAP, an applicant shall provide proof of one of the following:

1. (a) Successful completion of a CNA program or bridge to nursing assistant program, within the past twenty-four (24) months, approved by the Board or by a nursing Board in the United States with standards determined by the Board to be substantially equivalent to the standards in the District of Columbia; or
2. (b) Successful completion of a practical nursing or registered nursing “Fundamentals of Nursing” course with a minimum forty (40) hours clinical component which includes skills as specified in § 9615; or
3. (c) Completion of a credentials evaluation by an organization recognized by the Board, indicating equivalent education as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse for nurses educated outside of the United States.

9605.3 To request special accommodations for an examination, an applicant shall submit in writing, the following information:

1. (a) A letter from the appropriate health professional which confirms the applicant’s disability and provides information describing the accommodations required; and
2. (b) A letter from the applicant’s education program, indicating what accommodations were granted by the program.

9605.4 If an applicant has not taken or passed the nursing assistant certification examination for more than twenty-four (24) months after the date the applicant becomes eligible to apply to take the examination, the applicant shall comply with requirements set forth in § 9605.1 (a).

1. (2) Other certification program recognized by the Centers for Business, Occupations, and Professionals

Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Board.

(d) Submit a completed application to the Board along with any other documents that may be required by the Board.

9604.2 An application that remains incomplete for ninety (90) days or more from the date of submission may be considered abandoned and closed by the Board. The applicant shall thereafter be required to reapply, comply with the current requirements for certification, and pay the required fees.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 66 DCR 11404 (August 23, 2019); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 68 DCR 8239 (August 20, 2021).