Tem​po​rary Nurse Aide Pathway for CNA/GNA Certification

A Temporary Nurse Aide (“TNA”) is an individual who is not certified as a certified nursing assistant (“CNA”)/geriatric nursing assistant (“GNA”) (also known as a “nurse aide”) in the State of Maryland, but who worked as a CNA/GNA at a nursing facility or skilled nursing facility in Maryland during the COVID-19 pandemic pursuant to the “COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers for Health Care Providers” (“Waiver”) issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”).

CMS has granted the State of Maryland an extension of the Waiver that is effective until the end of the federal Public Health Emergency (“PHE”), which is expected to end on May 11, 2023. If the PHE ends on May 11, 2023 as expected, TNAs will have until SEPTEMBER 10, 2023 (four months from May 11, 2023) to obtain certification as a CNA/GNA in the State of Maryland. This means that TNAs must be certified as a CNA/GNA in order to keep working in Maryland after September 10, 2023.

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• Guidance Document and Application Instructions.​​ This document provides (1) background information for TNAs; (2) the requirements for a TNA to be eligible for certification as a CNA/GNA; (3) step-by-step instructions for TNAs to apply for CNA/GNA certification; and (4) frequently asked questions (FAQs).
  
• PLEASE READ THE GUIDANCE DOCUMENT AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY AND IN FULL. This document is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of and guidance for TNAs. 
• Application Materials.
  
• For TNAs and CNAs who hold an active CNA certificate: TNA Application and Attestation Form​
  
• For CNAs who hold a non-renewed CNA certificate: TNA Application, Attestation Form, and CNA Renewal Application
  
• Please ensure that your application is printed clearly (no faded text, streaks, or blotches). 
• Please complete your application in black or blue ink. 
• Link for instructions for completing a criminal history records check (follow instructions for initial CNA certification)
• Link for TNAs to register with Credentia to take the GNA-CE
  
• Other Resources
  
• CMS Waiver​ – issued on March 31, 2020 
• Termination of CMS Waiver – issued on April 7, 2022
• Updated Memorandum from CMS regarding Continued Waivers – Issued August 27, 2022
• House Bill 1208 – effective June 1, 2022
• Board’s Emergency Regulations for TNAs – effective September 22, 2022
  
• CMS Fact Sheet – issued on February 27, 2023
  
• Notices/Communications from the Board
  
• None at this time.
  

If you have additional questions that are not answered after reviewing the above information, please contact mbon.TNA@maryland.gov​.

Last Updated:  March 28, 2023
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