Reminder to providers utilizing Emergency Nurse Aides: nurse aide students trained in nurse aide emergency training programs and permanent training programs prior to June 7, 2022, must test and be listed on the nurse aide registry by October 7, 2022.

Background

On April 7, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued QSO-22-15-NH & NLTC & LSC (PDF) – Update to COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Waivers for Specific Providers. As stated in QSO-22-15, CMS ended specific blanket waivers which allowed for the creation of Nurse Aide Emergency Training Programs (ETPs) and the use of Temporary Nurse Aides. These employment and training flexibilities ended on June 7, 2022.

Ending the blanket waivers on June 7, 2022, started the 120-day clock for all trained students to test and be listed on the Nurse Aide Registry by October 7, 2022. This applies to both ETP and traditionally trained students. We strongly encourage student aides to test and be listed on the Nurse Aide Registry as soon as possible and not to wait until the deadline approaches.

See this CareConnection article on the potential for facility-level, county-level, or state-level waivers of the Oct 7 deadline. However, please note that DQA has reported generally sufficient access to nurse aide training and testing opportunities for students. The agency is addressing access issues as they arise. Headmaster, DQA’s testing partner, has done a very good job finding testing sites in fairly close proximity to where students are based. At this time, DQA will not be requesting a training or testing waiver from CMS for the October 7^th sunset date, nor does DQA expect that a facility-level waiver extension request to CMS would be granted.

To access the student Handbook and locate testing opportunities, please visit the Wisconsin CNA page of the HeadMaster website.

To learn more about starting a nurse aide training program, please visit the DHS Nurse Aide Training and Registry information webpage (link).