2025-2026 Credential Information

The North Carolina Office of Career and Technical Education provides multiple opportunities for students to obtain Industry-Recognized Credentials during their high school career.
Industry-recognized credentials hold immense value as they not only validate student skills and knowledge in a specific field but also serve as a powerful stepping stone toward future careers.

They provide a competitive edge in the job market, making students more attractive to potential employers and increasing their earning potential.
Moreover, industry-recognized credentials often lead to more job opportunities and pathways for advancement, helping students embark on successful and fulfilling career journeys.
Beyond the immediate benefits, these credentials instill a sense of accomplishment and confidence, motivating students to pursue higher education or dive directly into the workforce with the skills and certifications needed to excel.
Ultimately, industry-recognized credentials empower high school students to bridge the gap between education and real-world employment, setting them on a path toward a brighter and more prosperous future.

Access the NCDPI Credentials and Reporting website to submit a credential application and to view the latest Credential Attainment Report.

Footnotes:
^ Indicates the pathway is an approved Local Course Option (LCO) pathway.

* Where multilingual exams are indicated, please be advised that the state of North Carolina adheres to general statute as follows:
G.S.§115C-81.45(a) requires classes (silent on exams) to be conducted in English "[e]xcept when a board authorizes teaching in a foreign language to comply with federal law."
Therefore, NC CTE will abide with the Accountability guidance that LEAs are not required to provide exams in other languages. If they choose to do so, it will be at local discretion.

Nurse Aide I - Geriatric Aide Endorsement

Credential Name	Nurse Aide I - Geriatric Aide Endorsement
Credential Vendor Info	NC Dept. of Health and Human Services Division of Health Service Regulation Health Care Personnel Education and Credentialing Section 2709 Mail Service Center \| Raleigh, NC 27699-2709 919.855.3969
Credential Auto Collect	No
Diploma Endorsement	HN44 = Yes
Validation Artifact	Copy of course certificate of completion
Credential Lead Consultant	Barbara Burt barbara.burt@dpi.nc.gov
Course Number and Title	HN44 Fundamentals of Gerontology
Credential as POL	HN44 POL = No
Pathway(s)	Healthcare Professional (HPCP)
Cost of Instructor Training	$0.00
Instructor Training Requirements	Required Must be a Registered Nurse with two years of experience supervising nurse aides, teaching adults, or completing a course in teaching adults RN teacher must be approved to teach course by DPI Nurse Aide Consultant.
Exam Voucher Expiration	N/A
Credential Lifespan	To keep endorsement active, the student must maintain Nurse Aide I Listing on NC Nurse Aide I Registry.
Renewal Options	Yes Nurse Aide I Certification renewed every two years, must work for pay performing nursing-related services, under Registered Nurse supervision, for at least eight (8) hours during the current 24-month listing period. Must submit employment verification before the listing expiration date.
SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) Code(s)	Nursing Assistants (31-1131)
Articulation	No
Sequencing	Yes Adding the Geriatric Aide endorsement to the Nurse Aide I Listing will make the student more employable in long-term care, assisted living, home health, and hospitals.
Employer Transferability	Yes In NC, all states may not offer the endorsement to the Nurse Aide I listing.
Delivery Format	On-line or Paper/pencil Or computer teacher-made exam
Proctored Environment Required	Yes Same as the CTE State assessment requirements per the PSU
Test Site Options and Requirements	Must be an approved Geriatric Aide Training Program
Testing Environment Requirements	Same as the CTE State assessment requirements per the PSU
Proctored Requirements	Same as the CTE State assessment requirements per the PSU
Exam Time Allotment	The high school sets time. The time allotment is the same as allowed for CTE State assessments.
Exam Passing Requirement	80% or higher
Retakes	No
Student Accommodations	Yes Use accommodations already provided for the student.
Multilingual Resources*	No
Directory Notes	Students listed on NC Nurse Aide 1 Registry and pass HN44 receive endorsement on NC Nurse Aide 1 listing. Students taking HN44 within two years are listed on NC Nurse Aide I Registry as Nurse Aide I may receive NAI geriatric endorsement from DHSR. If students are listed on the NC Nurse Aide I Registry, the teacher faxes completed certs of completion to NC Nurse Aide I Registry 919.733.9764. OR If students are not listed on NC Nurse Aide I Registry after completing this course, it is the student's responsibility to fax cert of completion to 919.733.9764 to request adding the endorsement to Nurse Aide I Listing.