The Minnesota Department of Health is expanding in-facility testing to add additional test sites for nurse aide candidates. Applications will be accepted until July 11.

What is in-facility testing?

With in-facility testing, providers with nurse aide training programs can have the option to test nurse aide candidates in their settings where training occurs. In-facility testing is a common model for nurse aide testing and can be a convenient option for nurse aide candidates, training programs, and employers.

Benefits of in-facility nurse aide testing include:

• Reduced candidate drive time and distance to the testing center
• Increased candidate comfort level of testing at a familiar location
• Decreased wait time to secure a testing seat
• Reduced wait time to be placed on the registry and enter the workforce
• Recruitment opportunity for providers to connect with external nurse aide candidates

Who is eligible to become an in-facility test site?

Approved MDH Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) involving federally-certified providers that meet one of the following criteria:

• Nurse aide training program operated by a federally certified nursing home.
• Corporate nurse aide training program for multiple nursing homes of the same corporation.
• Nurse aide training program operated by an assisted living facility that is under the same umbrella ownership of a nursing home, usually on the same campus and provides supervised practical training in a federally certified nursing home.

In-Facility testing does not include approved training programs operated by colleges within the facility, colleges, high schools, independent free-standing programs, and assisted living facilities that train staff for their licensed-only facility.

More information

•  If your facility is interested in in-facility testing, please review the details of the In-Facility Nurse Aide Testing page before completing the application.
• Apply at the Health Regulation Division website. If you determine you meet all the requirements to become a test site, complete all fields listed and submit to MDH. 
• Frequently Asked Questions and resources are available on the In-Facility Nurse Aide Testing Resources page.
• MDH will be accepting applications to be a test site from June 16 to July 11. You must apply by July 11 at 11:59 p.m. to be considered for a Nurse Aide In-Facility Testing Site. MDH will review and notify interested facilities within 30 days via email if you have been approved to become a testing site.

Contact information

For questions on this form and process, please contact MDH at health.nar.coord@state.mn.us. 

Tags: nurse aide, testing, cnas, test site, in-facility