Pennsylvania Nursing Assistant / Nurse Aide Guide
Is a License or Certification needed: To get certified and work as a nursing assistant or nurse aide in Pennsylvania, you need to complete a nursing assistant program and pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam.
Who Grants Certification: The Pennsylvania Department of Health grants certification to Pennsylvania nursing assistants and nurse aides.
The Qualifications to become Certified: To qualify to receive a nursing assistant or nurses aide certification in Pennsylvania you must complete a Pennsylvania Department of Education approved nurse aide training program within the past 24 months and pass the NNAAP exam.
How to Apply for Certification and to take the Exam: Once you've completed a state-approved training program, your trainer will add your name to the PearsonVue website. You will receive an email with instructions on how to activate your account. Once your account is activated, you will be able to schedule your test. Click here for test sites in your area.
Test Content: The NNAAP test has two parts, a Skills Evaluation and a Written (or oral) part. Both parts must be passed to be listed on the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry. The written section is 70 questions in length, 60 are multiple-choice and 10 are reading comprehension questions. Take two pencils with you. You will have two full hours to complete the exam. (The oral exam if given in place of the written exam is 160 questions in length.) The Skills Evaluation will be a 25 minute time period given to complete 5 randomly selected nurse aide skills.
Content topics include:
- Activities of Daily Living – Hygiene, Dressing and Grooming, Nutrition and Hydration, Elimination, Rest/Comfort/Sleep
- Basic Nursing Skills - Infection Control, Safety/Emergency, Therapeutic/Technical Procedures, Data Collection and Reporting
- Restorative Skills – Prevention, Self-care/Independence
- Psychosocial Care Skills – Emotional and Mental Health Needs
- Spiritual and Cultural Needs
- Communication
- Client Rights
- Legal and Ethical Behavior
- Member of the Health Care Team
See the Candidate Handbook for more details.
Certification Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements: About 90 days before your license expires, the Pennsylvania Department of Health will mail a notification to the home address you listed on your application. Be sure to notify them if your address changes at any time for this reason.
Only 8 hours of employment during the past 24 months are required, although this must be paid employment, not volunteer work, and in a nursing environment such as a nursing home, home health setting or a hospital. Use the portal to renew a license.
Contact
PA Nurse Aide Registry
PA Department of Health
Division of Nursing Care Facilities
Room 526, Health & Welfare Building
625 Forster Street
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Phone: 717-787-1816
Registry Managed by:
Pearson VUE
PO Box 13785
Philadelphia, PA 19101-3785
Phone: 800-852-0518
