CNA Certification in Rhode Island

How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant in Rhode Island

The state of Rhode Island relies upon the Department of Health to approve all CNA certification courses, to handle the competency exams, and to manage the CNA registry. The Department of Health has contracted with Pearson Vue to create, score, and report the results of examinations to the state Registry. All testing is done through the Community College of Rhode Island, or the CCRI.

Eligibility Requirements

Before enrollment in any certified nursing assistant certification training occurs, the state requires that the student meet the following criteria:

They are 18 years of age;They submit to a criminal background check that includes fingerprinting and felony arrests;They can supply proof of a health exam with TB testing, drug screening, and immunizations; andThey have a high school diploma or GED.

Applying for CNA Certification in Rhode Island

Interestingly enough, some CNA candidates are able to avoid the training if they meet the following qualifications:

They are a nursing student with two clinical courses completed; orThey are a lapsed nursing assistant with a license that is not more than 24 months out of service – if you have not been licensed for more than 24 months you need to retrain.

Training for CNA certification consists of 100 hours of work, with a minimum of 20 clinical hours under supervision. This can be accomplished in a few months’ time, and certified nursing assistant certification candidates will find a list of approved providers at Pearson Vue.

Once the training is finished, the candidate than makes their application for testing. You may get an Application for Registration by Examination from your nursing assistant training program or by contacting CCRI upon receipt of an examination application, CCRI will schedule applicants to take the examination.

The exam features two tests – one for practical and another for written skills. These can be provided orally for those with testing problems, but extra fees may apply.

Costs

The cost for approved CNA training in Rhode Island is more than $1000. However, an employer may pay for training as well as the testing fees for candidates who have been offered employment by their certified nursing facility.

The test fees are currently at the following amounts:
Both written and practical: $199
Both written and practical administered orally: $99
Retesting is per section, and written testing costs $30, skills testing costs $69, and the oral exam is $30.

FAQ

Below is a list of facts that are very useful for anyone pursuing CNA certification in Rhode Island:

You must renew your CNA license every two years.Licensure as a nursing assistant becomes invalid after a lapse of twenty-four consecutive months or more in the performance of nursing related services.You can take the CNA exam three times before being required to enroll again in a CNA training in Rhode Island.You must have worked as a nursing assistant for at least eight (8) hours in the prior twenty-four months to remain active.According to federal and Rhode Island laws, candidates employed as nursing assistants in nursing homes that participate in Medicaid/Medicare programs are prohibited from paying their state exam fees.

Helpful Resources around the Web

Rhode Island Department of Health
Office of Health Professionals Regulation
3 Capitol Hill
Room 105
Providence, RI 02908-5097
Phone: 401-222-5888
Web: http://www.health.state.ri.us/

Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI)
Center for Workforce and Community Education
1762 Louisquisset Pike
Lincoln, RI 02865
Phone: (401) 333-7077

Pearson VUE ®
Rhode Island NNAAP Program
PO Box 13785
Philadelphia, PA 19101-3785
Phone: (800) 274-2900
Web: www.pearsonvue.com