2025-2026 Credential Information

WARNING: This information is considered DRAFT until August 22, 2025.

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.

North Carolina Nurse Aide I

Credential Name	North Carolina Nurse Aide I
Credential Vendor Info	Credentia Nurse Aide LLC 1025 Greenwood Blvd., Suite 401 \| Lake Mary, FL 32746 888-510-2278 https://www.credentia.com Select state - scroll down to find NC Credentia Customer Service 888-204-6249 Must know Nurse Aide training program number
Credential Auto Collect	No
Diploma Endorsement	HN43 = Yes
Validation Artifact	Training Program Report retrieved from Credentia at https://www.credentia.com/test-takers/ncna OR Individual student NNAAP Score Report OR Verify student listing on NC Nurse Aide I Registry at at https://ncnar.ncdhhs.gov Verify Registry Listings under Nurse Aide I. Click on Verify Registry Listing. Will need the last four digits of the student's SSN.
Credential Lead Consultant	Barbara Burt barbara.burt@dpi.nc.gov
Course Number and Title	HN43 Nursing Fundamentals and Practicum
Credential as POL	HN43 POL = Yes
Cost of Instructor Training	$0.00
Instructor Training Requirements	Required Must be a Registered Nurse with a unencumbered current state license. Must have a minimum of two years experience as a Registered Nurse. Must have experience in supervising nurse aides or teaching adults, or have completed a course in teaching adults. Teachers must complete CNA365 training before scheduling students to test. CNA365 training is located on the Credentia website at https://www.credentia.com. Select Test Takers, select state (NC NNAAP) under Resources, then select Training Program Materials.
Exam Voucher Expiration	1 year
Credential Lifespan	2 years
Renewal Options	Yes Nurse Aide I Certification renewed every two years, must work for pay performing nursing or 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.
Articulation	Yes North Carolina Community Colleges (NCCCS) for NAS-101 Nursing Assistant I
Sequencing	Yes Students pursuing careers in healthcare, such as LPN, RN, and Radiology Technology, can be required to have completed an approved Nurse Aide I Training Program. Obtaining the Nurse Aide I Certification is often used as part of the selection criteria for entrance into a specific healthcare program of study.
Employer Transferability	Yes A nurse aide can work in NC as long as the nurse aide's listing is current on the NC Nurse Aide I Registry. Each state has different requirements for reciprocity to allow Nurse Aide I Listing transfer.
Delivery Format	On-line and Performance-based Skills testing: students demonstrate five (5) computer-selected Nurse Aide I skills
Proctored Environment Required	Yes The online written/oral examination has an online proctor. For more information, visit Credentia at https://www.credentia.com. Select Test Takers > State > NC NNAAP, then scroll to find Online exams. Click Learn More. Hyperlinks within the document will provide more information.
Test Site Options and Requirements	Students may take the skills test at a regional test site or an in-facility test site. Credentia must approve all regional and in-facility test sites. For more information on becoming an in-facility test center, visit Credentia at https://www.credentia.com. Select Test Centers > Becoming an In-Facility Test Center. Hyperlinks within the document will provide more information. If the Nurse Aide I Training Program is not an approved in-facility test site, students will test at an approved regional testing center.
Testing Environment Requirements	Online written exam requires a computer, desktop, laptop, or Chromebook with a single monitor (no smartphones or tablets). All must meet specific system requirements. Private room required and will need a mobile device to complete the 360-degree room scan. All visual instructional materials in the testing room must be removed or covered. For more information, visit Credentia at https://www.credentia.com. Select Test Takers > State, then select NC NNAAP. Scroll to find Online exams, then click More. Hyperlinks will provide more information. Skills examination will be conducted in approved Nurse Aide lab.
Proctored Requirements	Credentia hires proctors for online written exams. Credentia RN Nurse Evaluator administers the skills exams.
Exam Time Allotment	Online written/oral examination: 2 hours Skills examination: 30-minutes
Exam Passing Requirement	To earn the credential, students must pass both the written and skills exam within two (2) years from the successful completion date of a state-approved Nurse Aide I training program or within three (3) attempts, whichever comes first. To pass the skills examination, the student must successfully demonstrate all five (5) skills. Examination results are reported as a pass or fail; no numerical score is available.
Retakes	Yes After the first attempt, students can reschedule up to two times within two (2) years from the date of completing the approved Nurse Aide I Training program, whichever comes first.
Student Accommodations	Yes https://www.credentia.com/accommodations
Multilingual Resources*	Yes Written oral and skills examinations are available in Spanish.
Directory Notes	The CNA365 system provides information for students and resource information for Nurse Aide I Training Programs. Students will apply to test and receive test results in the CNA365 system. High School Nurse Aide I Training Programs will access training reports to include pass/fail results on student testing in the CNA365 system. Access to CNA365 is available at https://www.credentia.com. Select Test Takers, select state (may need to scroll to find NC), then select NC NNAAP.