Introduction

This handbook is designed for candidates seeking enrollment on the Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry. It describes the process of applying for the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP®) and taking the NNAAP® Examination. It should be kept for future reference. 

The Tennessee Health Facilities Commission (HFC) has contracted with Credentia, a nationally recognized leading provider of assessment services to regulatory agencies and national associations, to develop, score, and report the results of the competency examination for the Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry. Credentia also processes applications, schedules and administers the examinations.

National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP®)

The Nursing Home Reform Act, adopted by Congress as part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (OBRA '87), was designed to improve the quality of care in long-term health care facilities and to define training and evaluation standards for nurse aides who work in such facilities. Each state is responsible for following the terms of this federal law. 

The National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP®) is an examination program designed to determine minimal competency to become a nurse aide in your state. The NNAAP was originally developed to meet the nurse aide evaluation requirement of federal and state laws and regulations and is owned and maintained by Credentia Nurse Aide, LLC. 

Credentia is the authorized administrator of the NNAAP in your state. The NNAAP Examination is an evaluation of nurse aide-related knowledge, skills, and abilities. The NNAAP Examination is made up of both a Knowledge (or Oral) Examination and a Skills Evaluation. The purpose of the NNAAP Examination is to test that you understand and can safely perform the job of an entry-level nurse aide.

The Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry (TNNAR) lists the names of all individuals who complete a state-approved training program and competency evaluation, as well as maintains a registry of all individuals who are found to have abused, neglected, or exploited elderly or vulnerable persons, or misappropriated their property. 

A nurse aide candidate, upon successful completion of training, passing both the knowledge and skills portions of the competency exam, and meeting federal and/or state requirements, will be listed on the Tennessee Registry. A newly trained nurse aide candidate must successfully pass both the knowledge and skills exams within two (2) years of successfully completing a training program. Review the Nurse Aide Competency Exam section below to help prepare for the exam. Certification is good for two years. 

Information to determine the status of your Tennessee nurse aide certification may be found on the Tennessee Registry Lookup page. 

Questions regarding the Tennessee Abuse Registry can be found at: https://tn.gov/hfc/abuse-registry.html . You may also contact the Tennessee Abuse Registry at 

(615) 532-5171.