Renewing your license as a home health aide is essential to maintain your job security. If you let your certification lapse, you could be putting yourself out of a job. Many healthcare agencies will only hire certified assistants, and those that hire non-certified assistants generally pay much less. Keeping your certification up to date not only secures your job but helps ensure that you are up to date on procedure as well.
Renewal Times and Requirements
Different states and different home health agencies have different renewal requirements. You may have to renew every six months, annually or bi-annually. You may have to re-register and become re-certified as an aide if your license lapses for a long enough amount of time. The best way to check your agency's requirements is to ask a superior. If you are unsure of your state requirements, contact your State Agency for Nursing Assistant Training Program, or State NATP (listed below) to find out exactly what they are.
Renew
To find out whether or not you need to renew soon, you can verify your license with your state Nurse's Registry. Go to the office with your license number, certification number and date of issue. You will have to pay a small verification fee, but once you do, you will know the status of your license. This may not be necessary though, as many states will send a renewal notice in the mail when your time is getting near.
To renew, you will need written or signed approval from a supervising RN, and you will have to pay a small renewal fee. Luckily, many states will allow you to renew and pay your dues online.
Once you have completed the renewal process, the state will either email or mail you an updated license and certificate. Always opt for the mailed version, as your new paperwork will bear the original seal of the licensing authority; an email printed at your home will not.
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