CNA Registry

A certified nurse aide (CNA) is an individual who has completed a nurse aide training and competency evaluation program (NATCEP), which has been approved by the State as meeting the requirements of 42 CFR 483.151 - 42 CFR 483.15, or who has been determined competent as provided in 42 CFR 483.150(a) and (b). The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) mandates that each state maintain a Nurse Aide Registry, for the purpose of tracking current certification status and any findings of abuse, neglect, and/or misappropriation.

The state of Louisiana also mandates that findings of abuse, neglect, and/or misappropriation placed against Direct Service Workers (DSWs) are maintained and tracked in the DSW Registry. The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) - Health Standards Section (HSS) manages the Louisiana Nurse Aide Registry and the Direct Service Worker Registry. Most providers licensed by the LDH are required to check BOTH registries to verify employment eligibility.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) mandates that each state maintain a registry of Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), for the purpose of tracking current certification status and any findings of abuse, neglect and/or misappropriation that has been placed. The state of Louisiana also mandates that findings of abuse, neglect, and/or misappropriation placed against Direct Service Workers (DSWs) are maintained and tracked in the registry. The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) - Health Standards Section manages the Louisiana Nurse Aide Registry and the Direct Service Worker Registry.  Most providers licensed by the LDH require that employers check BOTH registries to verify employment eligibility.

Verification

Regulations

 For CNA & Providers

Click on the topic name below to view more detailed information.

How to Become a CNA

To become a CNA, you will be required to attend a training program or you can use your education and training as a nursing student or military personnel. 

TO ATTEND A TRAINING PROGRAM: 

A list of approved nurse aid training programs can be found by utilizing the following link:

HSS - Nurse Aide Training Schools | Louisiana Department of Health 

OR 

HOW TO USE YOUR EDUCATION AND TRAINING AS A NURSING STUDENT

OR MILITARY PERSONNEL, please see below. 

RN and LPN students who have completed sufficient course content may be eligible to test for certification, if the application and required documentation is submitted within 3 years of taking relevant nursing courses. 

RNs and LPNs (LVN)s who trained in other countries will be required to test in order to be certified to the Registry. 

Military personnel and RN/LPNs will be required to test in order to be certified to the Registry. Approval requires verification of training as well as other criteria determine eligibility for certification. Documentation may include, but is not limited to:

  • Military Personnel 
    • Military Transcript 
    • DD-214
  • RNs & LPNs
    • Official Transcript
    • Nursing License
    • Consent Order
    • Related Documentation, if applicable

Submission of this information with the application will allow quicker processing. 

Complete the LA Nurse Aide Certification--Approval to Test Application and submit all required documentation noted on the application. If approved, you will receive an approval letter via email that will provide additional instructions for certification testing.  

Please note: 

  • The Nurse Aide Registry does not offer the certification exam. You will be required to schedule the exam with a testing provider: Prometric or LCTCS, and will be responsible for the cost of the exam. 
  • Obsolete application and unofficial transcripts will NOT be accepted. 
  • Information may be submitted by mail or email to [email protected].
  • You will have one (1) opportunity within 12 months of the date of the approval letter to pass both portions of the test.

If additional information is needed, you will be notified once your application has been reviewed. 

Submission of documentation with the application will prevent delays in the approval. 

Proof of CNA Certification

The Registry only provides proof of a CNA certification, by printable verification of registry listings from the LA Nurse Aide Registry, please visit our online Registry at https://tlc.dhh.la.gov/ . 

 The registry can be searched by using only your social security number. 

  • Make sure to include the dashes. 
  • Once you select search, scroll down to the bottom of the page. 

 The information available includes original certification date, current certification status, date of expiration, and certification number. 

Nurse Aide Certification Status Verification

How to verify nurse aide certification:

  • Go to LDH’s online Registry: https://tlc.dhh.la.gov/
  • Enter the social security number only.
    • You must enter the dashes in the social security number.
    • Scroll to the bottom of the page to see your information.
  • If you are having problems accessing the website as instructed above, please email the registry at [email protected] or call (225) 342-0138 to report a problem.    
Reciprocity

Reciprocity allows a nurse aide who is certified in one state to transfer their certification to another state.

To transfer TO Louisiana:

You must have an active certification and be in good standing in all states where you are currently certified.

As of July 1, 2018, Prometric processes all reciprocity applications for Louisiana.

Before applying, please review the "Reciprocity Procedure" document.

When submitting your application to Prometric, you must include:

  • The required application fee
  • A clear, legible copy of your Social Security card
  • A valid Louisiana ID (such as a driver’s license or state ID). A military ID is also accepted.
  • Note: If you live within 30 miles of the Louisiana border, a Louisiana ID is not required.

Mail all required documents to Prometric: 
Prometric
ATTN: LA Nurse Aide Program
6211 Greenleigh Avenue Suite 400
Middle River, MD 21220

To transfer FROM Louisiana to Another State:

If you are certified nurse aide in Louisiana and wish to transfer your certification to another state, you must contact the Nurse Aide Registry in the state where you are applying. Each state has its own process and requirements.

 You can find contact information for all state registries through the Directory of State Registries.

Important Information:

  • The Louisiana Nurse Aide Registry does not complete reciprocity forms for other states. Any forms submitted will be returned to the applicant.
  • Required verification information can be printed directly from the public Registry lookup page.
  • The Louisiana Nurse Aide Registry does not maintain records such as original certificates, training transcripts, exam scores, etc. If you need this information, please contact your training program directly.
Work History Reporting 

CNAs cannot report their own work history.

Work history MUST be submitted and will only be accepted from approved entities, including providers licensed by the Louisiana Department of Health, schools serving children with special needs, or correctional facilities where the CNA performs nursing-related duties.

Private-duty sitting does not qualify, unless it is done through a licensed provider.

Work history performed through a staffing agency does not qualify, unless at a nursing home. The Nursing Home must report directly to the Registry.

Providers/agencies who do NOT have a facility code

Work history must be submitted by the provider/employer on official letterhead in PDF format. The document must be signed and dated by the facility’s administrator or an authorized designee. Submissions may be sent by mail or email; faxed documents will not be accepted. Please see Work History Requirements.

The following information is REQUIRED:

  • The Aide’s Full Name, Social Security Number, Date of Birth, Mailing Address, Email Address, and Phone Number
  • The start date (month, day, and year) and last date worked (month, day, and year)
  • A description of at least four (4) nursing or nurse-related duties performed by the aide
  • The Name, Address, Phone Number, and Provider license number of the facility or agency reporting the work history
  • The Name and Title of the individual completing and submitting the work history

Providers/agencies who DO have a facility code:

Work history is reported using the NAT-7 form. Completed forms may be submitted to the Registry ONLY by mail or email at [email protected]; fax submissions will not be accepted. 

Nursing homes are required to submit work history electronically through the eNAT-7 form in LARS. Hospitals also have the option to submit CNA work history through LARS.

CNAs employed through staffing agencies:

Employment through a Staffing Agency is only accepted for work performed in a nursing home. Work history must be submitted using the NAT-7SA form and can ONLY be mailed or emailed to the Registry at [email protected]. Fax submissions will not be accepted.

Nursing homes are required to submit CNA's employed through staffing agencies monthly. Please see the requirements regarding work history reporting for NH's per the LA Administrative Code, Title 48:1, Subpart 3, Chapter 97, Section §9757 C.  

Submit to: 

Email:  [email protected]
                        OR 
Mail:  LA Nurse Aide Registry
            P.O Box 3767
            Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3767
Certification Renewal

Nurse aides are automatically recertified at midnight on the date their certification is set to expire, if the required work history has been reported to the Nurse Aide Registry by the provider/facility prior to the end of the certification period.

If the required work history is not reported within the 24-month certification period, the certification will expire, and the nurse aide’s status will be updated to “Not Certified.”

Nurse aides whose certification has lapsed due to unreported work history should contact the provider/facility where the work was performed and request that they submit the work history to the Registry.

If certification is lost despite the nurse aide having the required work history (but it was not reported for any reason), the work history may still be submitted to the Registry by the facility/provider in accordance with the instructions outlined in the Work History Reporting section. Certification status will be updated to “Certified” once all requirements are verified and met.

Nurse aides who are not certified because they do not have the required work history may be eligible to retest for recertification, provided they have not exceeded the retest required by date.

The nurse aide may retest to be certified again (provided there is no other reason which would prohibit recertification). Aides may go to https://tlc.dhh.la.gov/  to find out if they are eligible to retest. Retesting instructions are outlined in CNA Recertification section.

CNA Recertification: Resting and Retraining Requirements

Nurse aides are certified for 2 years, beginning with the certification date.

Nurse aides are required to work at least 8 hours during every 24 month period (2 years) once certified. The 8 hours must include "nursing or nurse related" duties and must be performed in approved licensed settings such as: nursing homes, hospitals, home health agencies, personal care attendant agencies, assisted living programs, hospice agencies, respite agencies, supervised independent living agencies, adult day health care programs, and intermediate care facilities for the developmentally disabled (ICF/DD) programs).

Note: Hours worked in settings other than nursing homes are not required to be reported by the provider, but it is recommended to submit to ensure certification renewal.

Regaining Expired Certification

If your CNA certification has expired, it can be regained through retesting or retraining.

Retesting Requirements

  • Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs) whose certification has expired and is listed as “Not Certified” on the Louisiana Nurse Aide Registry may be eligible to retest.
  • Retesting is allowed within two (2) years from the certification expiration date.

Please ensure you are still within this required timeframe, by reviewing your retest required by date, this information is available on LDH’s online Registry: https://tlc.dhh.la.gov/ .

Please note the following:

  • You will have ONLY one (1) attempt to pass both parts of the test (written/oral and skills exam).
  • If you fail ANY portion of the test, retraining will be required.
  • Additionally, if your certification has been expired for more than two (2) years, retraining is required.

If you wish to retest, the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) has two approved testing vendors: 

Retraining Requirements

  • You must retrain if:
    • Your certification has been expired for more than two years
    • You unsuccessfully attempted the retest/recertification exam
  • Retraining may involve completing another Nurse Aide Training Program provided there are no other factors prohibiting recertification.
  • CNAs who lost certification due to not having work history may also retest or retrain.
    • To determine eligibility for retesting or retraining, you must verify your certification status on the LDH’s online Registry: https://tlc.dhh.la.gov/.

For further instructions refer to the following section:  Nurse Aide Certification Status Verification

Approved Certification Exam Testing Vendors 

How do I schedule my competency exam after I finish my training or retest for certification?

Effective July 1, 2018, all trainees must successfully pass the competency examination to be certified on the Louisiana Nurse Aide Registry. 

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) partners with Prometric and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) to administer the Louisiana Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation exam. This ensures that all trainees meet the minimum requirements for certification in the state of Louisiana. Both testing vendors are able to assist with administering competency evaluation exams for newly trained nurse aides, as well as for those who require retesting. 

Prometric:

  • The Candidate Information Bulletin provides detailed instructions, an exam content outline, sample test questions, and a paper competency evaluation exam application.
  • For those testing through Prometric, please visit Prometric. 

LCTCS:

  • For those testing through LCTCS, please visit LCTCS.

Please note that the application must be submitted along with payment in order to schedule your examination for both testing vendors. 

Registry Record Update(s) for Active CNAs

To request a name change, update, and/or correction(s), to your Registry record, you may submit your request by email to [email protected].

For name changes or record corrections, please include ALL of the following:

  • The CNA’s full name as it currently appears on record
  • The updated full name (if requesting a name change)
  • A brief explanation of the requested change
  • A copy of a valid ID or driver’s license
  • A copy of your Social Security card

For updates to your address, telephone number, and/or email address, please include ALL of the following:

  • The CNA’s full name as it currently appears on record
  • CNA’s certification number or social security number
  • A brief explanation of the requested change, along with the updated information to be reflected in your record
  • A copy of a valid ID or driver’s license

Providing complete and accurate documentation will help ensure your request is processed in a timely manner.

FINDING on CNA Registry 

A Finding refers to allegations of abuse, neglect, misappropriation, exploitation or extortion that are placed against a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) and/or Direct Service Worker (DSW) on the CNA Registry and/or DSW Registry by the department.

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) - Health Standards Section (HSS) manages the Louisiana Nurse Aide Registry and the Direct Service Worker Registry. Most providers licensed by the LDH are required to check BOTH registries to verify employment eligibility.

You may contact the CNA Registry to inquire about a FINDING, by submitting your email to [email protected].

Please include the following in your email:

  • The subject of your email
  • The CNA’s:
    • Full name- as it currently appears on record
    • Date of birth
    • Certification number and/or Social Security number

Providing complete and accurate information will help ensure your request is processed in a timely and efficient manner.

Louisiana Registration System (LARS)

How to access the Louisiana Registry System (LARS)

The Louisiana Registry System (LARS) can be accessed by clicking LARS

Please note that this is a 2 (two)-step process, and access will not be granted until both steps are completed.

  • Employer Benefits:
    • Electronic NAT-7 forms (Hardcopies of the NAT-7 form are not required for current employees.)
    • Listing of nurse aides on registry who are currently employed by your facility
    • Efficiencies that save time and money while improving accuracy

For problems accessing or navigating through LARS, send an e-mail to [email protected].

Providers' Forms

How to report a change in Designated Signatures:

The link provides access to the Designated Signature Form required to report any changes in authorized personnel.

To request other CNA forms (i.e.NAT7, NAT7-SA, NAT9 NSA):

  • You may submit an email inquiry to the Registry by emailing [email protected] to request an updated copy of the referenced forms.

Please be advised these forms are only provided to individuals designated as authorized personnel for the facility on file through the Designated Signature form.

Facility Code Inquiry 

How do I obtain a facility code for my agency?

To be eligible for a facility code, please ensure the following requirements are met:

  1. The facility must be licensed by the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH).
  2. A detailed description of ALL nursing and nursing-related duties must be submitted.
  3. At least (2) two individuals must be authorized to sign on behalf of the facility.

Please complete and submit  Designated Signature Form.  Email the original form, completed in its entirety, to [email protected].

  • Must include Administrator as a Designated Signer;
  • Facility Code is not applicable if applying for a code; and
  • State ID is found on the provider license issued by LDH.  

The form will be reviewed to determine whether your agency meets the criteria necessary to be assigned a facility code by the Louisiana Nurse Aide Registry.

  • Facilities not licensed as a healthcare provider by the LDH (including staffing agencies) will be denied;
  • Lack of sufficient nursing and nursing-related duties will be denied; and
  • Incomplete Designated Signature Forms will be denied.

The registry will send email notification of approval or denial of approval of facility code.

Completion of the "Designated Signature Form” and approval of a facility codes indicates you agree to adhere to all policies and procedures, including:

  • Your facility will only submit the NAT-7 form for CNA's that have worked at least eight (8) hours, not including orientation;
  • Your facility will submit the NAT-7 form for all CNA's that are eligible (as noted above); 
  • Your facility will submit the NAT-7 form immediately upon hire and termination (regardless of the reason for separation);
  • The NAT-7 form shall be emailed to the registry; 
  • The NAT-7 form will be kept secure; and
  • The NAT-7 form will not be provided to employees.
Contact CNA Registry

Please note that you may submit questions to the Registry by email at [email protected]. Due to a high volume of phone calls, email is the fastest way to receive a response.

We strongly recommend checking the online Registry first to verify your status, find your certification number, confirm your expiration date, or check retesting eligibility. Most commonly requested information can be found on the Registry website or in the Helpful Links section below.

If you are unable to find the information you need, you may email your inquiry to [email protected]. To help us respond more quickly, please include your full name, certification number (or full Social Security number), and date of birth in your message.

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) works with Prometric and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) to administer the Louisiana Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation. To be added to the Louisiana Nurse Aide Registry, trainees must successfully pass the competency exam given by either Prometric or LCTCS.

If you have questions about scheduling your exam or any other testing-related concerns, please contact the testing provider where you took your exam or plan to take it.

For questions related to RECIPROCITY (transferring your certification from another state), please contact Prometric directly, as our office is unable to assist with these requests.

Emergency Declaration: Temporary Waiver of Reciprocity

If an emergency has been declared in Louisiana, a CNA may work in the affected area for up to 30 days,  after current certification in their home state has been verified. Providers may use the Directory of State Registries to contact the appropriate out-of-state Registry for verification. If the aide wishes to work more than 30 days, they must apply for reciprocity with the Louisiana Nurse Aide Registry. 

Helpful Links
  • Medication Attendant Certified (MAC)
    • Information regarding certified nurse aides (CNAs) with additional training in medication preparation and administration (to work in nursing homes) 
  • Health Standards Section
    • The section of LDH that licenses and enforces regulatory compliance for health care providers in the state of Louisiana

Contact

Please note that you may submit questions to the Registry by email at [email protected] . Due to a high volume of phone calls, email is the fastest way to receive a response.

Louisiana Nurse Aide Registry
Department of Health (LDH) - Health Standards Section
P. O. Box 3767
Baton Rouge, LA  70821 
Email: [email protected]

For questions regarding Nurse Aide Registry call 225-342-0138.

For questions regarding Nurse Aide/Direct Service Worker, adverse action findings call 225-342-3240.

For problems accessing or navigating the Louisiana Registry System (LARS),e-mail the issues to [email protected].

Surgeon General Evelyn Griffin, MD

Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein

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