Registering for CNA Exam in CA

Nursing Students CNA/MA

Published

California CNAs, I need a little help.

I got my paperwork back from Sacramento with the certificate I need to take the written and skills exams. Here in So Cal, the two vendors who provide the tests are the American Red Cross and NNAAP. The ARC turned me down because the certificate mailed from Sacramento had my first and last name only. My driver's license and social security card have my first, middle and last names. ARC policy is that all three documents have to have the name match exactly.

So to anyone who has taken the NNAAP test: is NNAAP's policy the same as ARC's? Will I have to write the Sacramento office and have them reissue the cert with all three names on it?

I am so annoyed over ARC's policy. At worst, I'll have to wait a few weeks to straighten things out but what a PITA!

Thanks for any info you can give.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Call or e-mail them. They're fast at responding and extremely slow at sending certificates.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

So NNAAP has the same name-matching policy as ARC? Bummer.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't know, I meant that they're slow at certifying California's nursing assistants after passing the skills evaluation.

Contact them as soon as possible, so you can get everything going. They're closed 3 fridays/month .

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Update! So I spoke to the NNAAP office in Huntington Beach. The person who answered the phone didn't seem to understand what I was asking but didn't seem overly concerned about the name matching business either. She said that my application for the exam should include either my middle name or my middle initial. That way, when the paperwork is sent back to Sacramento after passing the exam, my license will come back with all three names or with my middle initial on it.

So for less hassle, you should go with NNAAP testing over Red Cross, if you have the choice. Next NNAAP exam is Dec. 12, 2009. Applications with payment must be received by Dec. 2, 2009.

Don't know how many people are following this but just wanted to let you know about these little details that may trip you up. I thought the biggest hurdle was passing my class. Turns out it's dotting my i's and crossing my t's when it comes to getting the certificate. :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I passed my exam on December 12 and received my certificate on December 31. Yay!

I was very surprised. work&play had mentioned in another thread that California took up to 16 weeks to get them out. I was resigned to getting a horrible service job in the mean time. I know that having the certificate is no guarantee that I'll get a job any time soon but it's one less hurdle to worry about.

work&play, if you're reading this, have you received your certificate yet?

Happy new year to all! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

That's very odd, what certificate did you receive? The one issued by the State of CA or the one issued by the testing place? I remember when I received mine it also took months to get. Either way congratulations!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The return address is from the CA Dept of Public Health/Licensing and Certification Program/Aide and Technician Certification Section in Sacramento. It's the same department to which I sent my applications and various paperwork requirements.

It's a little blue card with "California Department of Public Health" in bold letters across the top. It has my name (first, middle initial, last), the certificate number and the effective and expiration dates. There's a space for my signature. It's printed on security paper with a little padlock in the lower right corner. You have to punch it out of a larger piece of paper on which is printed "Enclosed please find your new redesigned certificate".

I can't be the only one to get it, can I?

Thanks for the congratulations. NurseCubanita, what did you do in the time between passing your exam and getting the certificate? Were you able to start work?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It sounds like you got your certificate. If it has your license number then it's your certificate. Mine isn't blue, mine is white with blue letters which means I have the old certificate. That's great that you received yours within the same month, and it should be that way. I have no idea if Work&Play has received hers, I hope so because she's been waiting awhile for it.

I was able to start work almost immediately due to the fact that I had my pass certificate issued from the American Red Cross. That seemed to have been good enough to the nursing homes and hospitals that I applied to. I specificially asked all places that I applied to and they all stated as long as I had something that stated that I passed the exam it would be suffice. They just asked me to inform them when I got my certificate and to come in so they can copy it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment