Introduction

This handbook is designed for candidates seeking enrollment on the Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania Department of Health 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 Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry. Credentia also processes applications, schedules examinations, 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 developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc., (NCSBN) to meet the nurse aide evaluation requirement of federal and state laws and regulations. 

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 Written (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.