Ind. Code § 16-27.5-3-1 Certification of nurse aides; requirements; exceptions; competency examination attempts; renewal
Sec. 1. (a) Except as provided in subsections (b) through (f), an individual shall do the following to become a certified nurse aide:
(1) Apply for certification in the manner prescribed by the state department.
(2) Complete a nurse aide training program as prescribed by the commission.
(3) Pass the state nurse aide competency examination with at least a minimum score, as prescribed by the commission.
(4) Submit a signed affidavit affirming, under the penalties for perjury, that the individual has not been convicted of a crime set forth in IC 16-28-13-3 that prohibits the individual from being employed.
(b) A nursing student currently enrolled in an accredited nursing education program shall do the following to become a certified nurse aide:
(1) Apply for certification in the manner prescribed by the state department.
(2) Successfully complete at least one (1) semester of an accredited nursing school program.
(3) Pass foundational nursing course work, as determined by the commission, and submit a transcript verifying the successful completion of the required course work.
(4) Pass the state nurse aide competency examination with at least a minimum score, as prescribed by the commission.
(5) Submit a signed affidavit affirming, under the penalties for perjury, that the individual has not been convicted of a crime set forth in IC 16-28-13-3 that prohibits the individual from being employed.
(c) A nursing student who has graduated from an accredited nursing education program shall do the following to become a certified nurse aide:
(1) Apply for certification in the manner prescribed by the state department.
(2) Provide a transcript verifying completion of the accredited nursing program in the previous twenty-four (24) months.
(3) Pass the state nurse aide competency examination with at least a minimum score, as prescribed by the commission.
(4) Submit a signed affidavit affirming, under the penalties for perjury, that the individual has not been convicted of a crime set forth in IC 16-28-13-3 that prohibits the individual from being employed.
(d) An individual who is a nurse aide, or the equivalent, in another state shall do the following to become a certified nurse aide in Indiana:
(1) Apply for certification in the manner prescribed by the state department.
(2) Submit proof that the applicant is a nurse aide in good standing with no verified complaints in another state or criminal convictions since becoming certified in the other state.
(3) Submit a signed affidavit affirming, under the penalties for perjury, that the individual has not been convicted of a crime set forth in IC 16-28-13-3 that prohibits the individual from being employed.
(e) An emergency medical responder (as defined in IC 16-18-2-109.8) or another health care practitioner, as determined by the commission, shall do the following to become a certified nurse aide:
(1) Apply for certification in the manner prescribed by the state department.
(2) Submit a signed affidavit affirming, under the penalties for perjury, that the individual has not been convicted of a crime set forth in IC 16-28-13-3 that prohibits the individual from being employed.
(3) Pass the state nurse aide competency examination with at least a minimum score, as prescribed by the commission.
(f) An individual with military health care training who does not qualify under another subsection shall do the following to become a certified nurse aide:
(1) Apply for certification in the manner prescribed by the state department.
(2) Provide documentation verifying the completed military health care training.
(3) Pass the state nurse aide competency examination with at least a minimum score, as prescribed by the commission.
(4) Submit a signed affidavit affirming, under the penalties for perjury, that the individual has not been convicted of a crime set forth in IC 16-28-13-3 that prohibits the individual from being employed.
(g) An individual applying for certification under this chapter shall provide on the individual's application the individual's:
(1) full name;
(2) telephone number;
(3) mailing address; and
(4) electronic mail address;
and any other information required by the state department and commission.
(h) An individual described in subsection (b), (c), or (f) may take the state nurse aide competency examination not more than four (4) times in a two (2) year period. If the individual does not pass the state nurse aide competency examination after four (4) attempts in a two (2) year period, the individual must personally appear before the commission before reapplying for certification under this chapter.
(i) A health care facility or other employer of an individual who applies for certification under this section shall request and obtain the release of a limited criminal history under IC 10-13-3-27(b) from the state police for each individual who applies for certification under this section.
(j) Certification under this section is valid for two (2) years. The state department may prescribe the manner in which to renew certification. An individual certified under this section who wants to renew the certification shall do so in the manner prescribed by the state department.
(k) In order to renew a certification described in this section, a certified nurse aide shall complete the inservice training required under 42 CFR 483.95.
(l) Before directing the state department to issue or renew a certification to an individual who applies for certification under this section, the commission may require the individual to personally appear before the commission to discuss questions concerning the individual's application.
(m) The application requirements for certification under this chapter must comply with federal law.
As added by P.L.143-2025, SEC.24.