Title 54.1. Professions and Occupations
Chapter 30. Nursing
Article 4. Certification of Nurse Aides.
§ 54.1-3022. Use of the title "Certified Nurse Aide" or "C.N.A.".No person shall use or assume the title "Certified Nurse Aide" or abbreviation "C.N.A." or any words, letters, signs, or devices to indicate that person is a certified nurse aide unless certified by the Board.
1989, c. 278.
§ 54.1-3023. Application for certification by competency evaluation.A. Every applicant for certification by competency evaluation shall pay the required application fee and shall submit written evidence that the applicant:
1. Has not committed any act or omission that would be grounds for discipline or denial of certification under this article; and
2. Has successfully completed an education or training program approved by the Board.
B. The Board shall consider and may accept relevant practical experience and didactic and clinical components of education and training completed by an applicant for certification as a nurse aide during his service as a member of any branch of the armed forces of the United States as evidence of the satisfaction of the educational requirements for certification.
1989, c. 278; 2011, c. 390.
§ 54.1-3024. Application for certification by endorsement.Every applicant for certification by endorsement shall pay the required application fee, shall submit the information required by the Board in the manner and form specified by the Board, and shall submit written evidence that the applicant:
1. Is certified to practice as a nurse aide by another state or territory of the United States (with requirements that are essentially similar to the requirements for certification set out in this article) and that such certification is in good standing;
2. Has not committed any act or omission that would be grounds for discipline or denial of certification under this article;
3. Has no record of abuse, negligent practice, or misappropriation of a patient's or resident's property or any disciplinary action taken or pending in any other state or territory against such certification.
1989, c. 278.
§ 54.1-3025. Certification by competency evaluation.All applicants except those certified by endorsement shall be required to pass a clinical competency evaluation. Such evaluation shall be in written or oral form and shall include the following areas:
1. Basic nursing skills;
2. Personal care skills;
3. Recognition of mental health and social services needs;
4. Basic restorative services; and
5. Resident or patient rights.
1989, c. 278.
§ 54.1-3025.1. Advanced certification; renewal.A. The Board shall develop and promulgate regulations to establish a career advancement certification that will indicate enhanced competence in patient care tasks and enable certified nurse aides to expand the scope of the responsibilities and duties delegated to them. An advanced certificate shall be awarded upon successful completion of the required educational and training standards set by the Board. Each institution that desires to conduct programs to provide training for such advanced certificates shall be approved by the Board pursuant to § 54.1-3005.
B. An advanced certificate issued to a certified nurse aide shall be renewed biennially upon payment of any specified fee. The certified nurse aide shall submit proof of compliance with any requirements of law and regulation concerning competence as established by the Board.
2001, c. 448.
§ 54.1-3026. Renewal of certification.Each certificate issued to practice as a nurse aide shall be renewed annually upon payment of any specified fee. The nurse aide shall submit proof of compliance with any requirements of law and regulation concerning continued employment or competence as a condition of such renewal. The Board shall establish requirements for the renewal of certifications consistent with federal law.
1989, c. 278; 2016, c. 87.
§ 54.1-3027. Exclusions.This article shall not be construed to affect or apply to:
1. The gratuitous care of friends or family members;
2. A person for hire who does not represent himself as or hold himself out to the public as a certified nurse aide. However, a person for hire who is not a certified nurse aide in accordance with this article shall not hold himself out as a certified nurse aide or be employed as a certified nurse aide.
1989, c. 278.
§ 54.1-3028. Registration of nurse aides prior to October 1, 1989.The Board shall add to its registry of certified nurse aides any individual determined by the Board of Nursing as being qualified to be a nurse aide by reason of training in accordance with federal law prior to October 1, 1989. Such individuals shall meet any continuing requirements of the Board to retain certification.
1989, c. 278.
§ 54.1-3028.1. Nurse aide education programs.Nurse aide education programs designed to prepare nurse aides for certification shall be a minimum of 120 clock hours in length. The curriculum of such programs shall include communication and interpersonal skills, safety and emergency procedures, personal care skills, observational and reporting techniques, appropriate clinical care of the aged and disabled, skills for basic restorative services, clients' rights, legal aspects of practice as a certified nurse aide, occupational health and safety measures, culturally sensitive care, and appropriate management of conflict. The Board shall promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of this section.