Kentucky Nursing Assistant / Nurse Aide Guide
Is a License or Certification needed: You need to pass a state-certified nursing assistant program and the state exam in order to be certified. This must be done in order to work as a nursing assistant in the state of Kansas and be listed on the Kentucky Nurse Aide Registry.
Who Grants Certification: The Kentucky Community and Technical College administers the state exams to nurse aides in Kentucky. Once certified, Kentucky nurse aides are listed on the Kentucky Nurse Aide Registry.
The Qualifications to become Certified: There is more than one route to qualify for nurses aide registration in the state of Kentucky. These include:
- You have successfully completed a 75 hour (including 16 hours of practicals) state-approved training program and the state nurse aide competency exam. administered by KCTC.
- You were previously certified in the state of Kentucky, your certification lapsed and you are retaking the test.
- You are an RN or LPN student.
- You were trained or certified in another state (reciprocity).
How to Apply for Certification and to take the Exam: Learn more about applying for registration in the state of Kentucky here.
Apply to take the exam by contacting the KCTC online or at:
KCTC
300 North Main Street
Versailles, KY 40383
(859) 256-3100 or (877) 528-2748
A study guide for the exam and all procedures for test day and more can be found here.
Test Content: The test has two parts, a skills evaluation and a written section. Both parts must be passed to be listed on the Kentucky State Nurse Aide Registry. The written section is 75 questions in length. You will have 90 minutes to complete the exam. The written exam questions are based on the Kentucky state-approved test plan. You must score 70% or higher to pass the written exam. Content topics include:
- Good Personal Health and Hygiene
- Acceptable Work Behavior and Working Well with Coworkers
- Observing Resident’s Rights
- Following Standard Precautions
- Safety for Residents
- Resident Infection Risk Control
- Hand Washing
- ADL’s
- Hair Care, Dressing and Grooming
- Catheter Care
- And more.
You can also find all details and practice questions for the written exam here.
The skills evaluation will be to complete 5 randomly selected nurse aide skills and to perform them to 70% accuracy. Some steps are considered critical in each skill and will be held to a 100% necessary performance. You may find a list of the skills that your skill test will be based on here.
Certification Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements: According to Kentucky law, to renew your license, it is required that you have worked 8 hours at your place of employment in the paid role of a nurse aide during the past 24 months. This must be paid employment, not volunteer work, and in a nursing environment such as a nursing home, home health setting or a hospital.
Twelve hours of continuing education will be provided through your place of employment as ongoing staff development. They will document this and report it to the Kentucky State Nurse Aide Registry. You must renew your registration every 24 months.
Contact
KY Nurse Aide Registry
KY Board of Nursing
312 Whittington Parkway, Suite 300-A
Louisville, KY 40222-5172
Phone: 502-429-3347,
502-429-3300, Ext 257
888-530-1919
Fax: 502-429-3336
