DOH Issues TNA to CNA Transition Guidance

The Department of Health (DOH) issued a Dear Administrator Letter (DAL) and supporting documents this week to authorize the transition of eligible Temporary Nurse Aides (TNAs) to Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs) through an abbreviated 40-hour training class, instead of the usual 100-hour Nurse Aide Training Program. TNAs have been authorized to work in CNA positions in nursing homes during the pandemic under a federal Section 1135 waiver. The waiver, which is still in effect, allows nursing homes to hire non-certified staff to serve as aides for more than four months without obtaining their CNA certification. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has indicated that TNAs will be required to become CNAs within four months after the 1135 waiver ends in order to continue working as aides in nursing homes.

To facilitate the transition of TNAs to CNAs, the Department of Health (DOH) has developed a temporary training program, which can be provided by nursing homes through four months after the end of the 1135 waiver. The curriculum requires 24 hours of classroom instruction and 16 hours of lab instruction (a total of 40 hours). Thirty-five additional hours will be credited to eligible TNAs in recognition of on-the-job training and employment, providing resident care from March 1, 2020 through the end of the federal public health emergency.

To qualify for the abbreviated "TNA to CNA" training program, a TNA must have a minimum of 30 days or 150 hours of employment as a TNA. TNAs who do not meet this requirement may enroll in a standard Nurse Aide Training Program to obtain certification.

Facilities interested in conducting an abbreviated TNA to CNA training program must complete and submit this letter to DOH. A training code specific for the facility’s TNA to CNA training program will be provided for the Prometric application for the CNA exams. Online training may be authorized, subject to approval by the Department. Inquiries may be submitted here.

DOH has made the following supporting documents available:

Contact: Karen Lipson, klipson@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8838