Certified nursing assistants; certification requirement.

(1) The board shall issue a certificate to practice as a certified nursing assistant to any person who demonstrates a minimum competency to read and write and successfully passes the required background screening pursuant to s. 400.215. If the person has successfully passed the required background screening pursuant to s. 400.215 or s. 408.809 within 90 days before applying for a certificate to practice and the person’s background screening results are not retained in the clearinghouse created under s. 435.12, the board shall waive the requirement that the applicant successfully pass an additional background screening pursuant to s. 400.215. The person must also meet one of the following requirements:

(a) Has successfully completed an approved training program and achieved a minimum score, established by rule of the board, on the nursing assistant competency examination, which consists of a written portion and skills-demonstration portion approved by the board and administered at a site and by personnel approved by the department. Any person who has successfully completed an approved training program within 6 months before filing an application for certification is not required to take the skills-demonstration portion of the competency examination.

(b) Has achieved a minimum score, established by rule of the board, on the nursing assistant competency examination, which consists of a written portion and skills-demonstration portion, approved by the board and administered at a site and by personnel approved by the department and:

1. Has a high school diploma, or its equivalent; or

2. Is at least 18 years of age.

(c) Has been deemed by the board as eligible for licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145.

(d) Has completed the curriculum developed under the Enterprise Florida Jobs and Education Partnership Grant and achieved a minimum score, established by rule of the board, on the nursing assistant competency examination, which consists of a written portion and skills-demonstration portion, approved by the board and administered at a site and by personnel approved by the department.

(2) If an applicant fails to pass the nursing assistant competency examination in three attempts, the applicant is not eligible for reexamination unless the applicant completes an approved training program.

(3) An oral examination shall be administered as a substitute for the written portion of the examination upon request. The oral examination shall be administered at a site and by personnel approved by the department.

(4) The board shall adopt rules to provide for the initial certification of certified nursing assistants.

(5) Certification as a nursing assistant, in accordance with this part, may be renewed until such time as the nursing assistant allows a period of 24 consecutive months to pass during which period the nursing assistant fails to perform any nursing-related services for monetary compensation. When a nursing assistant fails to perform any nursing-related services for monetary compensation for a period of 24 consecutive months, the nursing assistant must complete a new training and competency evaluation program or a new competency evaluation program.

(6) A certified nursing assistant shall maintain a current address with the board in accordance with s. 456.035.

(7) A certified nursing assistant shall complete 24 hours of inservice training during each biennium. The certified nursing assistant shall maintain documentation demonstrating compliance with this subsection.

(8) The department shall renew a certificate upon receipt of the renewal application and imposition of a fee of not less than $20 and not more than $50 biennially. The department shall adopt rules establishing a procedure for the biennial renewal of certificates. Any certificate that is not renewed by July 1, 2006, is void.