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South CarolinaNURSE AIDEwritten (or oral) examination& skills evaluationCandidate HandbookOctober 2021verSCNA1.0
QUICK REFERENCESOUTH CAROLINADEPARTMENT OF HEALTHAND HUMAN SERVICESDivision of Communityand Facility ServicesPO Box 82061801 Main StreetColumbia, SC 29202E-mail: SCNAR@SCDHHS.GOVHours of Operation 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.(Eastern Time Zone)To apply for the South Carolina Nurse Aideexam go to www.credentia.com and selectSouth Carolina Test Takers and followinstructions.
CREDENTIASouth Carolina NNAAP RegistryPO Box 13785Philadelphia, PA 19101-3785(800) 475-8290Hours of Operation 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.(Eastern Time Zone)Call to: Obtain information about re-certification on theRegistry Obtain or complete a Reciprocity Application Clarify information about the RegistryCREDENTIA WEBSITEwww.credentia.com/test-takers/sc Download a Candidate Handbook Link to an Application for Enrollment byReciprocity Download Spanish Skills Listing View Regional Test Site testing dates View the NA Program Overview View state-approved NA Training Programs(by City) View Closed NA Training Programs View Frequently Asked Questions Link to a Nurse Aide Registry Renewal Form View a list of the Nurse Aide Registries (by State) View the SC Department of Health & HumanServices Newsletter
REGISTRATION AND SCHEDULING SERVICESSouth Carolina NNAAPTo contact a customer service agent,call 866-751-5809or email: pearsonvuecustomerservice@pearson.comHours of OperationMon. – Fri. 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.Sat. 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.Sun, 10:00 a.m. – 4 p.m(Eastern Time Zone)Call to: Schedule, reschedule or cancel an examination Ask questions about On-Line Registration Obtain information regarding your Score Report Obtain information regarding your examinationCredentia does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, creed,disabling condition, religion, national origin, or any other protected characteristics.Copyright 2021 Credentia Services LLC, or its affiliate(s). All Rights Reserved.NNAAP Written Exam Content Outline and Practical Skills ListingCopyright 2016–2018 National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN ). All rights reserved.
TABLE OF CONTENTSQuick Reference. inside front coverIntroduction. 1National Nurse Aide Assessment Program. 1Exam Overview. 2Eligibility. 3New Nurse Aides. 3Light Duty. 3Out-of-State Training. 3Eligibility Routes. 4E1 – Nurse Aide Candidate who completed aSouth Carolina state-approved training programWITHIN THE LAST 2 YEARS.E2 – Nurse Aide Candidate who completed a 100-hourstate-approved training program in another stateWITHIN THE LAST 2 YEARS.E3 – Nurse Aide with a lapsed or expiredSC certificate.E4 – Nurse Aide with a lapsed or expiredout-of-state certificate.E5 – Student Nurse, LPN or RN Graduate, orMilitary Candidate.45555Application and Scheduling. 6Online Registration and Scheduling. 6SC DHHS. 7Screening Questions. 7Exam Fees. 8Exam Scheduling. 9Testing Locations. 9Accommodations. 9Cancellation / Rescheduling. 10Refunds. 10Absence Policy. 10Weather Emergencies. 11Exam Day. 11Checking In. 11What to Bring. 11Proper Identification. 12Address, Name, & Demographic Changes.12Security and Cheating. 13Testing Policies. 13Lateness. 13Electronic Devices. 13Personal Belongings/Study Aids. 13Eating/Drinking/Smoking. 14continued on next page
No Leaving the Test Center. 14Misconduct/Disruptive Behavior. 14Guests/Visitors. 14The Written (or Oral) Exam. 14Written Exam. 15English or Spanish Oral Exam. 15Written (or Oral) Exam Content Outline. 16Sample Questions. 17Self-Assessment Reading Test. 18-21The Skills Evaluation. 22What to Expect. 22Setting. 22Who Will Act as a Client?. 22Candidate Volunteer Requirements. 22Candidate Dress Requirements. 22The Tasks. 23Recording a Measurement. 24Sample Recording Sheet for Measurement Skills. 25Tips for the Skills Examination. 26Skills Listing . 27-41Score Reporting. 42Exam Results. 42Written (or English or Spanish Oral) Exam andSkills Evaluation. 42Incident Report Submission in PCM. 42Failing. 42How to Read a Failing Score Report. 43A Sample of a Failing Score Report. 44Passing. 44Duplicate Score Report. 44Grievance Process. 45Overview. 45Process. 45The Registry. 46Change of Address or Name. 46Recertification. 46Updating Your Address. 46Renewal Notification. 47Re-certification Fee. 47Certificate and Wallet Identification Card. 47Lapsed Certification. 48Certification by Reciprocity. 49AppendixAppendix A: Request for Handscored Answer SheetAppendix B: Change of Address or Name Form
INTRODUCTIONThis handbook is designed for candidates seeking nurse aidecerti fi cation in South Carolina. It describes the process ofapplying for and taking the National Nurse Aide AssessmentProgram (NNAAP ) Examination.The South Carolina Department of Health and HumanServices (SCDHHS) has contracted with Credentia, a nationally recognized leading provider of assessment services toregulatory agencies and national associations. Credentiawill develop, score, and report the results of the NNAAP Examination for the South Carolina Nurse Aide Registry.Credentia also processes applications, schedules examinations and administers the examinations.NATIONAL NURSE AIDEPROGRAM (NNAAP )ASSESSMENTThe Nursing Home Reform Act, adopted by Congress aspart of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987(OBRA ’87), was designed to improve the quality of carein long-term health care facilities and to define trainingand evaluation standards for nurse aides who work in suchfacilities. Each state is responsible for following the termsof this federal law.The National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP )is an examination program designed to determine minimalcompetency to become a certified nurse aide in your state.The NNAAP was developed by the National Council ofState Boards of Nursing, Inc., (NCSBN) to meet the nurseaide evaluation requirement of federal and state laws andregulations. Credentia is the authorized administrator of theNNAAP in your state.The NNAAP Examination is an evaluation of nurseaide-related knowledge, skills, and abilities. The NNAAPExamination is made up of both a Written (or Oral)Examination and a Skills Evaluation. The purpose of theNNAAP Examination is to test that you understand andcan safely perform the job of an entry-level nurse aide.1
EXAM OVERVIEWThe two (2) parts of the NNAAP Examination process,the Written (or English or Spanish Oral) Examination andthe Skills Evaluation, will be administered on the sameday. You must pass both parts in order to be certified andlisted on the South Carolina Nurse Aide Registry. Youmust pass both portions of the exam within two (2) yearsfrom your training completion date or within three (3)attempts, whichever comes first, in order to be placed onthe South Carolina Nurse Aide Registry. Failure to do sowill require completing a 100-hour state-approved NurseAide Training Program and retesting both portions of theexamination.The Written Examination consists of seventy (70) multiplechoice questions written in English. Sample examinationquestions are provided in this handbook.An Oral Examination available in either English or Spanishmay be taken in place of the Written Examination if youhave difficulty reading English. The English or SpanishOral Examination c onsists of sixty (60) multiple-choicequestions and ten (10) m ultiple-choice reading comprehension questions provided on an MP3 player. You willbe asked to listen to a recording of the Oral Examinationand follow along in the test booklet as the questions areread aloud on the MP3 player. If you want to take theOral Examination, you must request it when you submityour application.At the Skills Evaluation you will be asked to perform five(5) randomly selected nurse aide skills. You will be giventhirty (30) minutes to complete the five (5) skills. You willbe rated on these skills by a Nurse Aide Evaluator. Youmust successfully demonstrate five (5) skills in order topass the Skills Evaluation. A complete listing of the skillsis shown on pages 27 to 41.See The Written (or Oral) Exam and The Skills Evaluationfor more details about the NNAAP Examination.2
ELIGIBILITYNEW NURSE AIDESAll new nurse aide candidates applying to take the NNAAPExamination in South Carolina must have successfullycompleted a 100-hour state-approved nurse aide training program that includes 40 hours of clinical training in order to be eligible to test. All candidates who areemployed as nurse aides or have a written offer of employment from a Medicare/Medicaid-certified nursing homeare required to be sponsored by that nursing home.If you are an LPN or RN student or you are in the Military,you must contact the South Carolina Department ofHealth and Human Services to determine your eligibilityto test at scnar@scdhhs.gov before completing and mailing your fees and application.LIGHT DUTYIndividuals are prohibited from taking the SkillsEvaluation if on restricted activity or light duty due tomedical reasons. Candidates must be able to completeall required skills included in the Skills Evaluation.Candidates who are on light duty are not permitted totake the Skills Evaluation; however, they can take thewritten/oral/CBT exam. Appropriate medical documentation stating return to full, unrestricted duty is required totake the skills evaluation.OUT-OF-STATE TRAININGA nurse aide candidate who was trained out-of-state and isseeking certification in South Carolina must have completed training at a 100-hour state-approved program thatincludes clinical hours. You must complete the onlineregistration form and upload required training documents.The diploma or certificate must include the number ofclassroom and clinical hours. South Carolina will accepta letter on state or training program letterhead.3
ELIGIBILITY ROUTESAll candidates applying to take the NNAAP Examinationin South Carolina MUST complete an Application forRegistration by Competency Examination form online atthe Credential Management Services. To access the onlineform, go to www.credentia/com. Select South CarolinaTest Takers and follow the instructions.For eligibility routes E2, E4 and E5, required documentswill need to be uploaded.If an original letter is sent with the application as proof oftraining, this original letter must be written on the training program’s letterhead and must include: (1) the nurseaide candidate’s name; (2) the nurse aide candidate’s dateof training program completion; (3) the training programcode number; and (4) the signature of the instructor,director, or administrator of the training program.E1 – SOUTH CAROLINA STATE-APPROVEDNURSE AIDE TRAINED CANDIDATESAll applicants who have successfully completed a SouthCarolina State-Approved Nurse Aide Training programwithin the last 24 months.E2 – OUT-OF-STATE TRAINED CANDIDATESAll applicants who have successfully completed a 100-hourState-Approved Nurse Aide Training program in anotherstate within the last 24 months. (A completion certificate/diploma letter on the state or program letterhead stating thenumber of classroom AND clinical hours must be submitted with the application.)4
E3 – L APSED OR EXPIRED SOUTH CAROLINAREGISTRY APPLICANTSFor all applicants who have successfully completed a 100hour South Carolina State-Approved Nurse Aide TrainingProgram AND whose certificate has not been expired formore than twenty-four (24) months. (Certificate must bein good standing.)E4 – O UT-OF-STATE REGISTRY APPLICANTSFor all applicants who have successfully completed a100-hour State-Approved Nurse Aide Training programwith clinical included AND whose certificate has notbeen expired for more than twenty-four (24) months.(Certificate must be in good standing.) A completion certificate/diploma or a letter on state or program letterheadstating the number of classroom AND clinical hours mustbe submitted with this application.E5 – S TUDENT NURSE, LPN OR RN GRADUATE,OR MILITARY CANDIDATEYou must contact the South Carolina Department ofHealth and Human Services at scnar@scdhhs.gov todetermine your eligibility before submitting an application.5
APPLICATIONAND SCHEDULINGONLINE REGISTRATION ANDSCHEDULINGOnline registration is quick, convenient and an environmentally responsible way to register for your examination.This process will eliminate the transit time associated withmailing a paper application. First time users are requiredto create an account. The candidate will need to fill in allrequired fields, which are preceded by an asterisk (*), onthe online form in order to create an ID and be assigned apassword. Step-by-step instructions will lead the candidatethrough the rest of the examination reservation process. Payment is in the form of a credit card or pre-paidcredit card (American Express, Master Card, Visaor electronic voucher). Fees are non-refundable andnon-transferable once submitted. To access the online form go towww.credentia.comSelect South Carolina Test Takers and follow theinstructions. You must make an online reservation at least 10days prior to the test date. You are responsible for completing the appropriatesections online. You may ask someone from yournurse aide training program or facility employer forassistance in completing the application. If you need or have any questions about the application process, contact a representative at 866-7515809 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. (EasternTime Zone). Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.6
SC DHHSCandidates who have completed a 100-hour State ApprovedNurse Aide Training Program (clinical included) must passthe NNAAP (Nurse Aide Assessment Program) examination no later than 2 years from the date of the completion ofthe approved program. After two years, the candidate willbe required to retrain at a South Carolina Approved NurseAide Training program before retesting. If the C.N.A.’s(Certified Nursing Assistant’s) certificate has lapsed andit has been 2 or more years since the expiration date, thefollowing must occur: The C.N.A. must retrain at a 100-hour StateApproved Training program (clinical included).The above policy will also affect R.N. and L.P.N. students.(They must have completed the Fundamentals of Nursingwithin 2 years of testing unless they are still attending nursing school.) These candidates will be referred to the SouthCarolina Department of Health and Human Services.SCREENING QUESTIONSYou are required to complete two screening questions onyour application which require a “Yes” or “No” response.These questions will also be listed on the failing score reportfor both the written and skills exam. If you are re-testing youmust answer the screening questions as well. If you respond“Yes” to one or both of these questions, your application orfailing score report will be forwarded to the South CarolinaDepartment of Health and Human Services (SC DHHS) forreview before you can be scheduled to test (or re-test). Have you ever been convicted of or pled guilty to afelony? Have you ever been listed on the South CarolinaAbuse Registry or any other State’s Abuse Registry?Failure to respond to these questions will cause your application to be returned to you.7
EXAM FEESFees are non-refundable and non-transferable oncesubmitted because they cover the administrative costsof registration and testing.The fees listed below have been established for theNNAAP Examination in South Carolina, and are effective as of July 1, 2020.Initial Written Examination 45Initial Oral Examination 45Initial Clinical Examination 95Written Re-examination 45Oral Re-examination 45Clinical Re-examination 95Certificate Renewal Fee 35The first time you test, you must schedule both theWritten (or Oral) Examination and theSkills Evaluation on the same exam date.Under federal and South Carolina state laws, candidatesemployed as nurse aides in nursing homes that participatein Medicaid/Medicare programs are prohibited frompaying their examination fees. Employers must pay theexamination fee and any re-test fee for those candidatesin their employ as nurse aides or candidates who have awritten commitment or signed acceptance of employmenton file in a Medicaid/Medicare-certified nursing home.Candidates must pay online and be reimbursed by theemployer. Candidates not employed as nurse aides in thesefacilities are permitted to pay their own examination fee.All payments must be made using a credit card or prepaidsingle-use card.EXAM SCHEDULINGFor more information about scheduling, or to learn howto register for the examination online, please visit:www.credentia.com. Select South Carolina Test Takersand follow the instructions.All examinations must be scheduled 10 (ten) calendardays prior to the exam date.8
TESTING LOCATIONSThe NNAAP Examination is given by Credentia atRegional Test Sites. Please visit www.credentia.com or call(866) 751-5809 to determine the schedule of test site mostconvenient for you. When accessing Credentia’s website,select “Test Takers” and select “South Carolina.”ACCOMMODATIONSCredentia complies with the provisions of the Americanswith Disabilities Act as amended. The purpose of accommodations is to provide candidates with full access to thetest. Accommodations are not a guarantee of improvedperformance or test completion. Credentia provides reasonable and appropriate accommodations to individualswith documented disabilities who demonstrate a need foraccommodations.Test accommodations may include things such as: A separate testing room Extra testing time A Reader or Recorder, for individuals with mobilityor vision impairments and cannot read or write ontheir ownTest accommodations are individualized and consideredon a case-by-case basis. All candidates who are requesting accommodations because of a disability must provideappropriate documentation of their condition and howit is expected to affect their ability to take the test understandard conditions. This may include: Supporting documentation from the professional whodiagnosed the condition, including the credentialsthat qualify the professional to make this diagnosis A description of past accommodations the candidate has receivedTo request an accommodation, answer “yes” to the accommodation question on the online application and followthe directions.9
CANCELLATIONAND RE-SCHEDULINGIf you are unable to attend your scheduled examination, you MUST call Credentia by noon at least five (5)business days before the examination date to cancel andreschedule your exam (Saturday and Sunday and nationalholidays are not considered business days). If you do notcall Credentia at least five (5) business days in advance ofyour examination date to cancel and reschedule your exam,and do not show up for your scheduled examination, yourfee will NOT be refunded and cannot be transferred to anew examination date. The new examination date mustbe scheduled 10 (ten) calendar days prior to the examdate. You may not give your examination date to anotherperson.If you notify Credentia in time, there is no penalty andyour fee may be transferred to your new examinationdate. If your employer paid for your examination fee, youshould tell them about missing the examination. Let themknow how you have handled re-scheduling and when youplan to re-test.REFUNDSOnce payment of exam fees is received, NO REFUNDSWILL BE ISSUED.ABSENCE POLICYCandidates who are late or absent from an exam maycall 1-888-723-6773 within 14 days of the exam date torequest an excused absence for the following reasons: Illness of yourself or a member of your immediatefamily Death in the family Disabling traffic accident Court appearance or jury duty Military duty Weather emergencyA case number will be assigned and instructions providedfor emailing supporting documentation.Your request must include verification from the cause ofyour absence. For example, if you are absent because ofjury duty, you must supply a copy of the court notice. In10
the case of illness a verification from your medical provider must be included in your request. Please note resolution takes approximately 3-5 business days to process andcomplete once documentation has been received.Candidates absent from or late to the exam who havenot changed or canceled the reservation according tothe Change/Cancel Policy will forfeir the exam fee.The decision of Credentia to approve or deny the excusedabsence will be final.WEATHER EMERGENCIESExaminations will be delayed or cancelled only in emergencies. If severe weather or a natural disaster makes thetest center inaccessible or unsafe, the examination will bedelayed or cancelled. If the examination has been cancelled,you will be re-scheduled for the next available examinationat that site.EXAM DAYCHECKING INYou must arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled timefor BOTH the written examination and for the skillsevaluation. If you are late for the written examinationyou will not be allowed to test and your fees will not berefunded. If you missed your written examination and arescheduled for a skills evaluation, please arrive 30 minutesprior to your scheduled time. Skills Evaluation test timesare approximate.You will be required to check in and present proper identification for both the written examination and for theskills evaluation.WHAT TO BRINGYou must have the following items with you when youtake the examination: Two (2) forms of proper identificationThree (3) No. 2 pencils (sharpened)EraserKnow your Social Security numberWatch with a second handNon-skid footwearNo other materials will be allowed.11
PROPER IDENTIFICATIONCandidates are required to bring two (2) forms of official,signature-bearing identification to the test site (one ofwhich must be a photo identification). Photocopies ofidentification will NOT be accepted. Examples of properidentification include current, not expired: Driver’s license Signature-bearing Social Security card Clinic card Credit card Library card State-issued identification card Passport Alien registration cardThe name on your identification must be the same as thename you used on the application to register for the examination. If your name is different, you MUST bring proofof name change (a copy of an official document such as amarriage license or divorce decree) to the test center.If you do not bring proper identification, you will notbe allowed to test and your examination fee will notbe refunded.ADDRESS, NAME, & DEMOGRAPHICCHANGESPlease note, all demographic changes must be madeat least nine (9) calendar days prior to the exam date.If you need to change your name, address, or socialsecurity number after creating your profile, or any timebefore you become certified, you can update your demographic information through your PCM profile page.To change your name, social security number, or date ofbirth, complete and submit the 'Candidate CorrectionForm,' which can be accessed by logging into yourPCM account, then go to: Actions on the left side, andselect Complete a Form; and then under 'Other Forms'you will select the 'Candidate Correction Form.' Pleaseensure you complete all information and attach therequired supporting documentation and then submitthe form.12
SECURITY AND CHEATINGIf you give help to or receive help from anyone during theexamination, the examination will be stopped. The incidentwill be reported to the SCDHHS for review, and your examination will not be scored (see Testing Policies).Please note that all examination questions, each formof the examination, and all other examination materials are copyrighted by, the property of, or licensed toCredentia. Consequently, any distribution of the examination content or materials through any form of reproduction, or through oral or written communication, is strictlyprohibited and punishable by law. Anyone who removesor tries to remove examination materials or information from the test site will be prosecuted.TESTING POLICIESThe following policies are observed at each test center.LatenessPlan to arrive about thirty (30) minutes before the examination starts. If you are late for your scheduled examination, ordo not bring your required two forms of identification, youwill NOT be allowed to test and your examination fee willNOT be returned. If you are late for the Written (or Oral)Examination, but arrive on time for the Skills Evaluation,you will be allowed to take the Skills Evaluation.If you are late for your Skills Evaluation or do not bringall your required materials, you will NOT be allowed totest and you will be required to re-apply and pay anotherexamination fee (see Cancellation for more details).Testing times are approximate. Please plan to spendthe day.Electronic DevicesCellular phones, beepers, or any other electronic devicesare not permitted to be used and must be turned off during testing.Study AidsYou are not permitted to take personal belongings such asbriefcases, large bags, study materials, extra books, candidate handbooks, or papers into the examination room. Nointerpreters or translators may be used during the writtenand/or skills examination. Any such materials brought intothe examination room will be collected and returned to youwhen you have completed the examination. Credentia is notresponsible for lost or misplaced items.13
Eating/Drinking/SmokingYou are not permitted to eat, drink, or smoke during theexamination.MisconductIf you are discovered causing a disturbance of any kindor engaging in any kind of misconduct before, during,or after the examination, you will be dismissed fromthe examination and the incident will be reported tothe South Carolina Department of Health and HumanServices (SCDHHS). Decisions regarding disciplinarymeasures are the responsibility of this agency.NEW POLICY from the South Carolina Department ofHealth & Human Services: Misconduct/Behavioral Issues.1. If the candidate is allowed to re-test (depending on theseverity of the misconduct), they will not receive onsitetest results. They will be mailed.2. If the candidate is allowed to re-test, it will be at a sitewith security (not the preferred site of the candidate).3. If a candidate’s conduct/behavior is a disturbance at thetest site or endangers the safety of an Evaluator for thesecond testing date (a re-test), they will not be allowedto test again in South Carolina.Guests/VisitorsNo guests, visitors, pets, or children are allowed at thetest center.THE
The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) has contracted with Credentia, a nation - ally recognized leading provider of assessment services to regulatory agencies and national associations. Credentia will develop, score, and report the results of the NNAAP Examination for
