Can I transfer my CNA to California?

Reciprocity Applicants

With implementation of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) for nurse assistant training requirements in April 1992, California was instructed by the Health Care Financing Administration to offer nurse assistant certification to anyone who is listed on any state's nurse assistant registry as:

• In "good standing" (having no findings of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of residents' property) and
• "Active" (maintained on the State Nurse Assistant Registry as having met the OBRA training requirements and having provided nursing services at least one day, for pay, in the previous 24 months).

Reciprocity applicants, who have been verified by the prospective employer with the respective state's registry (see page 20) as meeting federal requirements in the United States, should submit the following to ATCS:

• A completed HS-283B application form (http://www.dhs.ca.gov/publications/forms/pdf/hs283b.pdf);
• A copy of their state-issued certificate (this is not mandatory but they must indicate the state in which they are certified);
• Proof they have worked providing nursing services at least one day for pay in the last two years (this is only required if they received their certificate more than two years ago);
• A copy of the completed BCII 8016 live scan form, (see page 19). You must wait until you move to California to obtain fingerprints through this method. Fingerprint cards are not acceptable.

Reciprocity applicants may work as CNAs (unless they receive a letter of denial from ATCS) if the facility:

• Has verified the applicant is on the respective state's registry in good standing and has active status. Some states do not provide information regarding "status." In those states, as long as the name is listed, the CNA is considered "active."
• Has proof that the applicant has worked at least one day for pay providing nursing services in the last 24 months.
• Has proof that the CNA has applied to ATCS for certification.

Reciprocity applicants may not work as CNAs if:

• They do not have "active" status on their respective states' registries and are unable to get their certificates or registry status reactivated in their previous state.
• Their certificates or registry status have been expired or inactive for less than two years. These applicants may be allowed to take the competency evaluation in California without having to retrain by following the "equivalency applicant" instructions on page 6. (After these applicants have passed the competency evaluation, they may work unless they receive a denial letter from ATCS.)
• Their certificates or registry status have been inactive for more than two years in their respective states. These applicants must retrain and successfully complete the competency evaluation to receive a California nurse assistant certificate. (After these applicants have passed the competency evaluation, they may work pending receipt of a certificate or denial letter.)