Wisconsin Nurse Aide Registry
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Division of Quality Assurance
Office of Caregiver Quality
P.O. Box 2969, Madison, WI 53701
Phone: (608) 261-8319
Fax: (608) 264-6340
The online Nurse Aide Registry is managed by Headmaster LLP.
Phone: (877) 329-8760
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is the regulatory authority for nurse aides in the state of Wisconsin. The department has contracted Headmaster LLP to provide administer the NAANP exam and maintain the Wisconsin CNA Registry.
Initial Certification for Nurse Aides in Wisconsin
The procedure to acquire certification as a nurse aide in the state of Wisconsin consists of two main steps:
- Completing successfully a nurse aide training program approved by Wisconsin
- Passing the knowledge and skills exams of the competency evaluation
Headmaster LLP will place the names of successful candidates in the CNA registry in Wisconsin. Placement on the registry can also be achieved by completing an alternate DHS approved route.
- Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook
- Headmaster
- Online verification
- Federal employment eligibility requirements
- FAQs
Federal vs State Eligibility on the Wisconsin NAR
when listed on the registry, nurse aides are provided with two eligibilities: federal eligibility and state eligibility. Here are the differences:
- Federal Eligibility allows nurse aides to work in federally certified care facilities (home health agencies, nursing homes, hospice agencies, and intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities) for two years before recertification is required.
- State Eligibility allows nurse aides to work in state-licensed facilities (hospitals) and state-licensed only facilities and agencies (including assisted living facilities). State eligibility does not require recertification every 24 months as it does not lapse.
As a result, even if a nurse aides fails to renew her feral eligibility, they can still work as nurse aides via their state eligibility, but their work will be limited to state-licensed facilities (hospitals) and state-licensed only facilities and agencies (including assisted living facilities).
Maintaining Federal Eligibility for Wisconsin Nurse Aides
In order for nurse aides to maintain their federal eligibility in Wisconsin they must:
- Provide a minimum of 8 hours for pay in a federally certified care setting;
- Complete the required work hours within the last 24-month certification period;
- Complete the required paid work under the supervision of an LPN or RN.
Note!!! Paid work performed in private-duty, self-employment, or assisted living facilities does not count towards renewal of federal eligibility.
self-employment, private-duty experience, or work in an assisted living facility is not recognized as work experience eligible to maintain federal eligibility.
Certification by Reciprocity for Out of State Nurse Aides
Unlike other US states, Wisconsin offers multiple options for obtaining certification by out of state nurses. Essentially, a nurse aide with an active and in good standing certificate in their home state needs to apply for certification by reciprocity and their name should be placed on the WNAR. However, you may be eligible for placement on the WNAR via the out of state nurse aide process.