How to validate a CNA license
Sometimes, when you are a CNA, employers don’t always ask for licenses. Employers either assume that you have it, or they think that simply giving the license number is synonymous. In reality, you might have a CNA license number, but your certificate is actually expired. Also, if you’ve been doing freelance CNA work, your clientele will almost never ask for CNA certification verification, which means that you could conceivably expire your license and never know it.
Working as a CNA without an active license could be extremely dangerous. In the event that you become involved in a malpractice lawsuit, or simply asked to provide documentation, you could find yourself in deep water. You will want to figure out how to verify a CNA license as soon as you can, to avoid a possible career ending disaster.
How to search a CNA license
- First, you will want to contact your nurses State Board, or even contact your Nurses Aid Registry. Every state has one of these, and some even have them online. If you live in California, you won’t even have to talk to anyone on the phone, you can simply log on and verify your CNA license.
- If you live in other states that do not have an online option, you will want to speak with someone in the State Board or CNA Registry office.
- Then, you will be able to talk to them about your predicament. In most states, simply giving them a driver’s license number or a social security number will be enough information for them to look you up. This process should not take too long, as they most likely have the information stored on a state database.
- If the CNA certification verification turns up an expired certificate, you are going to need to go through the steps to receive a new, updated certificate. Depending on the state, this could take a few weeks, especially if you have to pass another aptitude test.
- If your certificate is not expired, then you have a few options. They can either send your certificate by email, which would be provided in a PDF attachment, or they can mail you a hard copy of your certificate. It is almost always better to have a hard copy, because of the state seal. This will take up to two weeks, so be ready for the wait.
- If you are a CNA, it would be a good idea to update your records and ask for a copy of your certificate. It is a small task, which might save your career someday.
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