CNA Certification in Alaska

How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant in Alaska

In Alaska, the certification of CNAs, and the maintenance of the abuse registry are the responsibilities of the Board of Nursing. This agency is part of the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (the DCED) and it is this larger division that handles the CNA registry for the state. The state works with Pearson VUE to administer, score, and report the results of the exam required for CNA certification.

What this means to someone interested in getting certified nursing assistant certification is that they need to take approved training, apply for the exam, take and pass the exam, and then get listed on the CNA registry for Alaska. It is not really a complex matter, but it does have some preliminary steps required, including determining if you are eligible.

Eligibility Requirements

All of the certified nursing assistant certification programs in Alaska have the same general requirements:

The candidate must submit to, and pay the fees associated with fingerprinting and a criminal background check;Each candidate has to be 18 or older;Proof of high school graduation or a GED must be supplied; andThe candidate will undergo a full physical exam that includes drug screening, TB testing, and proof of immunization.

Applying for CNA Certification in Alaska

The application process for CNAs in Alaska includes options.

Some candidates will not need to attend an approved program if they meet the following criteria:

Endorsement is possible if the candidate can provide evidence of completion of another state’s CNA program and if they have an unencumbered registration in that state, they can sit for the exam;

Successfully completed a state approved program within the past two years but without any licensure;Successfully completed within five years of applying, one year or more of nursing education that includes clinical and classroom instruction on theory from an approved nursing school by a state or territory of the United States or by a province of Canada;Successfully completing within 10 years and service within 5 years of a United States corpsman or medic training program;Successfully completing a nursing training program outside of the US, except for Canada.

If training is required, the DCED makes the full list of approved programs available at their website. Courses must use at least 140 hours divided between 60 in the classroom and the remainder in clinical work. Once the candidate completes the program, they can apply for the exam.

The examination involves written questions and the performance of CNA skills. A sample test and some pointers for the day of testing are available from Pearson VUE.

Costs

In Alaska, prices for the training can vary and currently average around $1000 or less with books and materials. The courses are done quickly and take a matter of weeks. The application for the exam includes the payment of other fees.

Fingerprint fees: $59
Application fee: $50
Certification fee: $120
Total for Written exam: $279
Total for Oral exam: $284

FAQ

For those pursuing certified nursing assistant certification training in Alaska, the following items are very helpful to know:

If the Alaska Child Support Enforcement Division has determined that you are in arrears on child support, you may be issued a nonrenewable temporary license valid for 150 days. Contact Child Support Enforcement at 1-800-478-3300 to resolve payment issues;Certificates are renewed every two years in even-numbered years regardless of the year it was issued and certificates expire on March 31st of even numbered years.Renewal notices are mailed at least 60 days prior to the expiration date;Continued competency requirements for each renewal period apply. When you renew for the first time, if you have held your initial certification for over a year, you are required to have completed 12 hours of continuing education and 160 paid hours of employment as a CNA. If you have held your certification for less than a year, you are not required to complete the paid hours of employment or continuing education hours.Denial of licensure or revocation is possible if the candidate has been convicted of certain crimes, is incompetent, or has impersonated a CNA by working as one without certification.

Helpful Resources around the Web

Alaska Board of Nursing
Robert B. Atwood Building
550 W. 7th Avenue, Suite 1500
Anchorage, AK 99501-3567
Phone:  (907) 269-8161
Web: http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/occ/pnur.htm

Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing
Nurse Aide Registry
550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1500
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone: (907) 269-8169
Online: http://www.dced.state.ak.us/occ/pnua.htm

Alaska Dept. Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Mr. Don Habeger, Director
PO Box 110806
Juneau, Alaska 99811-0806
Phone: (907) 465-2534
Web: http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/home.htm