Nursing Assistant and Medication Aide FAQs

Nursing Assistant (NA)

I am looking for training as a NA, where do I go?

  • Visit nebraskanurseaide.org for upcoming training. New classes are added regularly so check often.
  • Check with nursing facilities in the area to see if they are offering classes.
  • Check with community colleges in the area to see if they are offering classes.

Do you offer scholarships?

  • The Nebraska Health Care Foundation (NHCF) offers a Basic Nursing Assistant Scholarship. Click here for information and the application.

What is the cost for testing?

  • The written exam is $35.
  • The clinical skills exam is $40.

I have completed my training and now need to test, how do I do that?

  • If you have taken a class through a community college, you must test through that college.
  • If you have taken a class through a local nursing facility you may register at nebraskanurseaide.org and click Testing. There is a self-registration process. The instructor who has provided the training must submit a class form with information about the students. This is required to establish eligibility for the testing. The form is located on the same website. You will need to register for both the written and clinical skills exams.

How do I sign up for a Nursing Assistant Test?

  1. Visit nebraskanurseaide.org and click Testing.
  2. Select your preferred test date and location.
  3. Registration closes seven (7) business days prior to the test date.
  4. Under self registration click the “here” link to access the online registration.
  5. Select the tests for which you need to register.
  6. You will need to pay by credit or debit card using this method. If you choose to be invoiced, the registration will be held until payment is sent.
  7. Once you select “Continue”, the next screen takes you to required information. This information is secure and required by the Nurse Aide Registry. Confirmations are sent by email so a valid address is required.
  8. Be sure to select the correct testing date and location from the drop down list.
  9. The next screen asks if you have ever taken the NA test before. This information is part of the verification process used to establish eligibility for testing. (Also check any previous names.)
  10. Complete and submit payment information.
  11. You will receive a confirmation and a receipt for the exams via email.
  12. You may also download and print a registration form under self-registration if you prefer to mail or fax a registration.

After I have taken the NA test what happens?

  1. All written and clinical skills exams are sent to the Nebraska Health Care Learning Center office for grading.
  2. The grades are sent to the Nurse Aide Registry for review.
  3. Grades are not sent to the students unless you have had an unsuccessful attempt. If that occurs in the written test, a letter will be sent to the student. The student is notified immediately if the clinical skills test has been unsuccessful, therefore a letter is not sent.

What happens if I fail a NA test?

You have two times to retake an exam, three times total each exam. Each test result is submitted to the Nurse Aide Registry to track numbers. If you are unsuccessful after the third attempt you must retake the course.

I have not worked as a NA in awhile and my registry status has lapsed, how do I reactivate?

  • An individual who has performed nurse aide duties for monetary compensation that was not reported to the Nurse Aide Registry may submit an Employment Verification Form. This form is a statement from the employer that verifies the name and address of the employer, dates of employment, and that nurse aide duties were performed. This form may be used to update employment as long as there is not a two-year gap in employment since the last test date or last date of employment shown on the Nurse Aide Registry. Since employment is not shown on the website, you may need to contact the Nurse Aide Registry at 402-471-0537 to determine the last date of employment shown.
  • An individual who has performed nurse aide duties for a state-licensed facility or agency in Nebraska does not need to have the notary section of the Employment Verification Form completed. If you worked for anyone else (private duty, or a non-licensed facility or agency) the notary section does have to be completed.
  • An individual who has not worked as a nurse aide for two years and who has taken an approved 76-hour nurse aide course may reactivate his/her registration by retaking the written and clinical exams. (This individual is not eligible to work in a Medicare/Medicaid certified nursing facility until they have successfully completed these exams and the results have been posted to the Nurse Aide Registry or the facility has been provided with copies of the exam results.)
  • Please visit nebraskanurseaide.org and follow the license renewal instructions under Testing.

I am moving to Nebraska, how do I get on the Nurse Aide Registry?

You must complete an application for interstate endorsement to start the process. If you have not worked as a NA or tested in the last two years, you must get approval from the Nebraska Nurse Aide Registry to retest. The Nebraska Nurse Aide Registry typically sends you a letter that indicates you are eligible to retest. A copy of this letter should be sent to NHCLC as verification. The mailing address is:

Nebraska Health Care Learning Center
Attn: NA Testing
1200 Libra Dr, Ste 100
Lincoln, NE 68512

I have taken the test. How will I know if I passed?

  1. All test results are sent to the Nebraska Nurse Aide Registry.
  2. To access your information, visit nebraskanurseaide.org and click “Regulations.” Go to Nebraska Nurse Aide Registry to check your status. We recommend waiting approximately two weeks after testing before checking.
  3. Click on the “License Search” tab on the right.
  4. Click on “Individual.”
  5. Type first and last name and click search “Individual.”
  6. Your information should appear once it has been issued. Click on your name to bring up license details.
  7. If your license status shows “Active,” you are ready to work as a NA.
  8. Examine information is located toward the bottom of the screen.
  9. If you have not passed a test, you will be notified by letter by Nebraska Health Care Learning Center.

I have taken the test. When can I go to work?

If you have not lapsed or come from another state, you may work for 120 calendar days performing NA duties while waiting for the registry to be updated.

How long does it take to get on the Nurse Aide Registry?

It takes approximately 30 days from date of test exam to become active on the Nurse Aide Registry, but can take longer.

What causes delays in updating the registry? 

  • A test was not passed.
  • The background check could be taking longer. This is common if you have moved or had a name change.
  • Payment may not have been received by the testing site.
  • Course information may not be complete.

After 30 days contact the testing site to make sure the information has been successfully sent to the state or contact the Nebraska Nurse Aide Registry:

DHHS Nursing Support
402-471-4971
402-471-1066 Fax
email: dhhs.nursingsupport@nebraska.gov

I am 15 years old and would like to take nurse aide training (I will turn 16 in a couple of months). What are my limitations related to testing, training and working as a nurse aide?

You can take the training as long as you do not have direct resident contact. You can test. Your name will not be put on the registry until you are 16. The 120 days cannot start until you are 16.

A nurse aide from another state has been working at our Nebraska SNF/NF for a couple of months. We forgot to check the other state’s registry, and we have noted it now. The nurse aide just completed the Nebraska requirements. Do we need to report this to the registry? Or is there anything else we need to do other than check the other state’s registry?

You need a record in your files that you (the facility) checked the other state’s registry. The state does not need this information. The aide should not have been working in Nebraska until he/she was on the state’s registry.

Medication Aide
Temporary Medication Aide Training

I am looking for training as a Medication Aide. Where do I look?

  • Visit medicationaide.org for upcoming training. New classes are regularly added so check often.
  • Check with the nursing facilities in the area to see if they are offering classes.
  • Community colleges also frequently offer classes.

Do I have to be a Nurse Aide before taking the Medication Aide Training?

No, there is no prerequisite to take the class. However, you must be 18 years of age to be placed on the Medication Aide Registry.

Do you offer scholarships?

  • The Nebraska Health Care Foundation (NHCF) offers a Medication Aide Scholarship. Click here for information and the application.

What is the cost for testing?

The written exam is $35.

I have a lapsed status on the Medication Aide Registry. How do I become active again? 

A nurse, such as one in the employment setting, must verify your competency within the regulatory competency requirements. Taking the Medication Aide exam does NOT meet the lapsed status competency requirements. You also must submit the Reapplication for Registration form and an $18 non-refundable fee.

How do I sign up for a Medication Aide (MA) Test?

  1. Visit medicationaide.org and click Testing.
  2. Select your preferred test date and location.
  3. Registration closes seven (7) business days prior to the test date.
  4. Under self registration click the “here” link to access the online registration.
  5. Select the tests for which you need to register.
  6. You will need to pay by credit or debit card using this method. If you choose to be invoiced, the registration will be held until payment is sent.
  7. Once you select “Continue”, the next screen takes you to required information. This information is secure and required by the Nurse Aide Registry. Confirmations are sent by email so a valid address is required.
  8. Once you select “Continue”, the next screen takes you to required information. This information is secure and required by the Nurse Aide Registry. Confirmations are sent by email so a valid address is required.
  9. Be sure to select the correct testing date and location from the drop-down list.
  10. Complete and submit payment information.
  11. You will receive a confirmation and a receipt for the exams via email.
  12. Once the registration for testing is closed, a roster will be put on the website for testing participants and location information.
  13. You may also download and print a registration form under self-registration if you prefer to mail or fax a registration. This method is the slowest.

After I have taken the MA tests, what happens?

  1. All exams are sent to the Nebraska Health Care Learning Center office for grading.
  2. The grades are sent to the Medication Aide Registry for review.

How long does it take to get on the Medication Aide Registry?

It takes approximately 30 days from date of test exam to become active on the Medication Aide Registry, but can take longer.

Why can it take awhile?

  • It could be that the test was not passed.
  • You are under the age of 18.
  • The $18 registration fee was not received by DHHS.
  • The Registration Application was not completed or received.

What happens if I fail a MA test?

You may re-enroll to take a different exam.

After I take the exam what do I do next?

  1. The Medication Aide Registry must receive an Application for Registration as Medication Aide – 40 hour and Documentation of Course Completion. These forms should be provided by the instructor for the course.
  2. A registration fee of $18 must be included with the application to the Medication Aide Registry and sent to:

DHHS Office of Nursing Support
Department of Health & Human Services/Division of Public Health/Licensure Unit
Phone: (402) 471-4322
Email: DHHS.NursingSupport@nebraska.gov

Mailing & Physical Addresses
DHHS Licensure Unit
Attn: Nurse Aide
PO Box 94986
Lincoln NE 68509

Nebraska State Office Building
301 Centennial Mall South
14th & M Streets, 1st Floor
Lincoln NE 68508

Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Closed federal holidays.