Eligibility Criteria

All new nurse aide candidates applying to take the NNAAP Examination in South Carolina must have successfully completed a hundred (100)-hour state-approved nurse aide training program that includes forty (40) hours of clinical training in order to be eligible to test. All candidates who are employed as nurse aides or have a written offer of employment from a Medicare/Medicaid-certified nursing home are required to be sponsored by that nursing home.

If you are an LPN or RN student or you are in the Military, you must contact the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to determine your eligibility to test at scnar@scdhhs.gov before completing and mailing your fees and application.

Light Duty

Individuals are prohibited from taking the Skills Evaluation if on restricted activity or light duty due to medical reasons. Candidates must be able to complete all required skills included in the Skills Evaluation. Candidates who are on light duty are not permitted to take the Skills Evaluation. However, they can take the written/oral/CBT exam. Appropriate medical documentation stating return to full, unrestricted duty is required to take the skills evaluation.

Out-of-State Training

A nurse aide candidate who was trained out-of-state and is seeking certification in South Carolina must have completed training at a 100-hour state-approved program that includes clinical hours. You must complete the online registration form and upload required training documents. The diploma or certificate must include the number of classroom and clinical hours. South Carolina will accept a letter on state or training program letterhead.

Eligibility Routes

All candidates applying to take the NNAAP Examination in South Carolina MUST complete an Application for Registration by Competency Examination form online at the Credential Management Services. To access the online form, go to www.credentia/com. Select “South Carolina Test Takers” and follow the instructions.

For eligibility routes E2, E4, and E5, required documents will need to be uploaded.

If an original letter is sent with the application as proof of training, this original letter must be written on the training program’s letterhead and must include: 

(1) the nurse aide candidate’s name; 

(2) the nurse aide candidate’s date of training program completion; 

(3) the training program code number; and 

(4) the signature of the instructor, director, or administrator of the training program.

E1 – South Carolina State Approved Nurse Aide Trained Candidates

All applicants who have successfully completed a South Carolina State-Approved Nurse Aide Training program within the last twenty-four (24) months.

E2 – Out-of-State Trained Candidates

All applicants who have successfully completed a 100-hour State-Approved Nurse Aide Training program in another state within the last twenty-four (24) months. A completion certificate/ diploma letter on the state or program letterhead stating the number of classroom AND clinical hours must be submitted with the application.

E3 – Lapsed or Expired South Carolina Registry Applicants

For all applicants who have successfully completed a 100- hour South Carolina State-Approved Nurse Aide Training Program AND whose certificate has not been expired for more than twenty-four (24) months. (Certificate must be in good standing.)

E4 – Out-of-State Registry Applicants

For all applicants who have successfully completed a 100-hour State-Approved Nurse Aide Training program with clinical included AND whose certificate has not been expired for more than twenty-four (24) months. (Certificate must be in good standing.) A completion certificate/diploma or a letter on state or program letterhead stating the number of classroom AND clinical hours must be submitted with this application.

E5 – Student Nurse, LPN or RN Graduate, or Military Candidate

You must contact the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services at scnar@scdhhs.gov to determine your eligibility before submitting an application.