A career as a nursing assistant can be a rewarding career if you are interested in an entry level position in the healthcare industry. This career provides a good starting point if you intend to advance your career in the medical field.
CNA Training Programs in Pennsylvania
Before you can become a certified nursing assistant, you will need to complete a training program. The program must be one that is state-approved or else you will not qualify to take the certification exam or to work as a certified nursing assistant. Training programs must be a minimum of 120 hours of instruction. Some programs will be even more extensive. All programs include classroom and clinical instruction for nursing assistant students.
Completion of a nursing assistant training program will make you eligible to sit for the nursing assistant certification exam in Pennsylvania You will need to complete both the written and skills portion of the test (with a passing score) to receive your certification.
CNA Certification Transfer Through Reciprocity in Pennsylvania
You can apply to receive CNA certification through reciprocity in the state of Pennsylvania if you hold certification in another state. Contact the nursing aide registry in Pennsylvania to receive an application for reciprocity. Complete the form in its entirety and submit any necessary documentation and fees. You will need to prove that you have a valid and active certification in another state. It will also be necessary to verify that you are listed in good standing with the nursing aide registry.
The Nursing Aide Registry in Pennsylvania will consider your application or reciprocity. If they approve your application, you will then be able to seek employment as a nursing assistant in Pennsylvania. You must have completed a training program that was approved in your home state to be able to receive certification through reciprocity in Pennsylvania.
CNA License Renewal in Pennsylvania
All nursing assistant certifications have an expiration date. It is not difficult to renew your certification if you have continued to work as a nursing assistant over a 2-year period. You should receive the recertification forms from the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry about 2 months or so before your expiration date. If you do not receive the forms, visit the website for the nursing aide registry.
Pennsylvania requires you to have worked for pay as a nursing assistant for a minimum of 8 hours during a 24-month period to easily renew your license. Complete all sections of the recertification forms and submit any necessary fees and documentation. You can also renew your certification if it has expired in the state of Pennsylvania. You will need to contact the Nurse Aide Registry and let them now your certification expired. They will provide you with the necessary forms and instructions for renewing your certification and to become active in the registry again.
FAQ’s
Q: I had a CNA certification in New York but did not work for awhile because I wanted to be home with our children for awhile. My certification has lapsed. We are planning to move to Pennsylvania later this year. Would I need to become certified all over again when we move to Pennsylvania?
A: Pennsylvania does allow individuals to transfer an active CNA certification to Pennsylvania if they meet all requirements. One such requirement is that the certification be active in your state of certification. Therefore, you would first need to contact the Nursing Aide Registry in New York to determine how to renew your certification. Take the necessary steps to renew your certification so that it is active once again.
Q: If I am able to have an active CNA certification in New York again, then what do I do?
A: You can then contact the Department of Health in PA. They can provide you with an application to transfer your certification to Pennsylvania. There will be various information you must provide on the application as well as documentation that you must provide to prove you completed a state approved CNA training program and to provide proof of your employment history as well as proof that your certification is in good standing. Contact the DOH through Pearson VUE (handles CNA certification in PA) at PO BOX 13785 in Philadelphia PA 19101.
Helpful Resources: Free CNA programs in Pennsylvania and Accredited CNA classes in Pennsylvania
my certification expired a couple years ago what do i need to do to get my certification again
Hi Helen,
You’ll have to contact the nursing board in Pennsylvania. Most likely you’ll have to redo the training and classes again.
Helen, as long as you have worked 8 hours out of the past 2 years you don’t have to re-take the class. You just need to get the website from harrisburg idk what it is. And send for your license
I lost my license. I need to know how to get a new one.
You’d need to contact the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide registry and request a copy of your license.
i need to renew my certification for cna expired in 09
You will need to contact your state nursing board. Most likely, you will need to retake the training as well as the test
My license expired may 2011…. how do I renew it online to make it current right away for work?
Hi I am trying to get into a training program as a CNA. I am currently going to school for Respiratory Therapy and wanted some hands on people experience. However, I applied to two assisted living homes recently and I am afraid they will not call me back because I have a misdemeanor charge of death and personal injury when I got into a car accident and the other person was injured and I had no car insurance. I also have two summary offenses. Will this prevent me from getting the job?! Also right after you train you start work for the facility that is the deal. Let me know!!
Rach
I have done all the steps and paid to have my florida cna lic. transfered up to Pa and I would like to know how to track the status of it. I had a job and they pulled my off the floor without pay until the license arrives. PLEASE help I am in need of this job bad to survive and cant get anywhere on any of these websites.
Once approved, they will put you up on the PA registry. You can check your status there: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/nurse_aide_registry/14154/nurse_aide_registry/558490
I became certified in september of 2011 I moved during a emergency an I never got my certifications in the mail…. how do I have it sent to my new address
You should check the Pennsylvania CNA registry to see if your certification is active and valid. If your name is in good standing, you can request the registry to send you a copy of your license.
I got my CNA certification back in 2006 and it expired in 2008 bc no one would hire me until I was 18, so I only had 3 months to find a job. I really want to become a CNA again, but can’t find any places around me to retake classes. Is there any way I can get more information?
Hi all,
I have a friend that has completed everything for her CNA, but had an issue with a professor who did not give out the certification to that particular class. She has talked to some people and they said as long as she can get some kind of code off of this teacher she will be okay; unfortunately, the professor will not give her the code. Does anyone know who she could go to or contact in order to get this information?
Thanks!