Requirements for CNA and HHA Certification
Like the State of Michigan and a few other states, New Mexico’s Human Services Department (HSD) has contracted the firm of Prometric to oversee its Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Program (NACEP) testing and the nurse aide registry. Thus Prometric acts for the state and sets the exams that nursing aides as well as home health aides need to pass.
Prometric uses the Federal guidance of 75 hours of training for both HHAs and CNAs. Of those accredited hours, 16 hours are practical or hands-on training. There is no state exam in NM. The exam that Prometric sets acts as “instead of” the state exam. Thus all aides who successfully complete the accredited training course and pass the Prometric exam get listed on the registry ac CNAS and HHAs.
Note: Fed regulations require certified aides who work in Medicare or Medicaid-reimbursed facilities to accumulate 12 hours of continuing education per 12 month period.
We list the higher between Federal (Fed) and State requirements
| Requirements | CNA | HHA |
|---|---|---|
| Work Eligibility | Must be a citizen or someone eligible to work in the U.S.; must produce a social security number | same |
| Type of Certification | Prometric issues certificates (see note above); you also get listed on the Nurse Aide Registry, and employers can verify your certification online; you have to renew every 24 months | HHAs also get registered after passing the Prometric exam |
| Application Form | Once you finish your training, you have 12 months to sit for the Prometric exam (in two parts, written, and skills) | same |
| Age | There is no age requirement | same |
| Driver’s License | No driver’s license required as long as you can produce a photo ID | same |
| Education Level | High school diploma not required | same |
| Training hours & where | A minimum of 75 accredited hours of training, of which 16 hours are in clinical or practical work (renewals every 24 months, after doing 12 hours of in-service training every 12 months)Both Fed and state require a minimum of 75 hours at certified academies or community colleges. | same |
| Competence Training | A minimum of 16 hours (see note above) | same |
| Experience | No prior professional experience required. | same |
| Health Immunizations | A negative TB test taken within 6 months and proof of immunization. | same |
| Fingerprints | 2 Fingerprint cards will be required for background check | same |
| Background checks | Applicants must undergo state and FBI background checks | same |
| Other Requirements | Social security number, photo ID and two photos, immunization results; completed application form together with money order, copy of diploma from training academy, criminal background check | same |
| Exam | After finishing the 75 accredited hours of training, you sit for a written and a practical exam monitored by the state-contracted Prometric | N/A |
| Licensed in another state? | NM offers reciprocity; applicants must provide copies of current out-of-state certificate, letter requesting transfer, photo ID, social security number, mailing address and telephone number | |
| Useful links | http://dhi.health.state.nm.us/nar/nar.php |