1. (1) This chapter addresses four types of nursing assistant training programs:

   1. (a) Traditional nursing assistant training programs, which provide the complete training required for competency evaluation and career entry as a nursing assistant-certified.
   2. (b) Home care aide-certified alternative training programs, which recognize prior training and certification as a home care aide and provide the additional education required to qualify for competency evaluation and career progression to a nursing assistant-certified.
   3. (c) Medical assistant-certified alternative training programs, which recognize prior training and certification as a medical assistant and provide the additional education required to qualify for competency evaluation and career progression to a nursing assistant-certified.
   4. (d) Medication assistant certification endorsement training, which provides the additional education required of experienced nursing assistants-certified to qualify for competency evaluation to earn a medication assistant endorsement.

2. (2) The requirements for initial and ongoing approval of nursing assistant training programs (described in WAC 246-841A-420 through 246-841A-460) and for corrective actions for nursing assistant training programs (described in WAC 246-841A-465 through 246-841A-490) apply to all training program types unless exceptions are specifically noted in this chapter:

   1. (a) Exceptions for home care aide-certified alternative programs are noted in WAC 246-841A-545.
   2. (b) Exceptions for medical assistant-certified alternative programs are noted in WAC 246-841A-550.
   3. (c) Exceptions for medication assistant certification endorsement programs are noted in WAC 246-841A-590.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.79.110, 18.79.260, 18.88A.030, 18.88A.060, 18.88A.090, 18.88A.082, 18.88A.087, 43.70.040, 43.70.250, and 43.70.280. WSR 23-20-117, § 246-841A-409, filed 10/3/23, effective 11/3/23.]