You worked hard to earn your certified nurse assistant (CNA) certification and you know you
have to complete a certain number of CEUs to keep that certification.
You figure you’ve got 2 years to complete them, so you wait until a few months before your certification expires and power through all 48 of the required units.
You submitted your documentation of your CEUs weeks before your certification expired, so why don’t your CEUs count? Why did you lose your CNA certification?
Don’t Let This Happen to You
In order to remain in good standing as a California CNA, you must complete a minimum of 12 CEUs in each year of the 2-year certification period.
Even if you completed the required 48 hours within your certification period, if you did not do at least 12 hours of CEUs per year, you’re considered ineligible to work and you lose your certification.
Why are CEUs Required for CNAs?
CNAs are competent healthcare professionals providing care in a stressful and often chaotic environment. They’re required to not only manage their workload, but to communicate effectively with their co-workers.
Because of this, CNAs need to keep up with all the changes in healthcare as well as understand how to apply the changes in their jobs every day.
These changes include:
● Changes in patient care parameters
● Changes in documentation
● Advancements in general wellness
● Screenings for domestic violence
● Elderly Care
● Infection Control and Disease
Next, we’ll look at the specific requirements for CNAs in California.
Below are the requirements for California CNAs:
● CNAs must obtain 48 hours of in-service training/CEUs within the 2-year certification period
● A minimum of 12 of the 48 hours must be completed in each year of the certification period
● Home Health Aide (HHA) must obtain 24 hours of in-service training or CEU within the certification period. 12 of the 24 hours are required in each year of the two years certification period. HHAs may not use online CEUs to meet their in your requirement.
LA Skills Academy provides in-person CEUs which can be done online during the CA State of Emergency. Take advantage of this now while it last. Click here to purchase the in-person CEUs
Understanding the Certification Period
This part can be a bit confusing because the CNA certification period is issued for two birthdays, not two calendar years.
For example:
● Effective date: 3/20/18
● Expiration date: 5/15/20
● Birthday: 5/15/XXXX
This means:
● The first year of the certification period is 3/20/18 to 5/15/19
● The second year of the certification period is 5/15/19 to 5/15/20
If you live in California, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) should send a notification of your upcoming certificate renewal, but it’s the responsibility of each CNA to know when to renew their certificate and the steps required to renew.
See the link below for more information on the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) requirements for CNA certification.
What Happens if I Don’t Meet the Requirements?
If you are unable to meet the CEU requirements to maintain your CNA certification, you’ll need to contact your state’s accrediting body for CNAs. California CNAs should contact the CDPH and follow the steps to reinstate your certification.
If your certificate has not been expired for more than 2 years, you’ll need to reactivate your certificate by retaking the competency evaluation and pass the background checks again.
This process takes time, which means you won’t be able to work as a CNA while your packet is being processed. Ultimately, not completing your CEUs as required costs you time and money. Don’t let this happen to you!
How can you Los Angeles Skills Academy offers online and in-person classes for CEUs. This means you’re able to complete your CEU requirements and renew your certificate in one easy place.
LA Skills Academy changes CEU courses offerings regularly so you have options when it comes to choosing what you’d like to learn for your continuing education requirement. Whether you work in a nursing home, hospital, or clinic, you have affordable options when it comes to completing your CEUs.
Current offerings include:
● Domestic Violence Bundle - 12 units for $120
● Infection Control and Diseases - 12 units for $120
● Types of Care - 12 units for $120
● Elderly Care - 12 units for $120
Are you ready to tackle your CEUs? LA Skills Academy has you covered for all of your CEU needs.
Click here to check out our available CEUs and sign up today!
Links/references:
https://www.laskillsacademy.com/cna-ceu – link to LA skills CEU page
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/CDPH%20Document%20Library/ControlledForms/cdph283a.pdf - California CNA CEU requirement
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHCQ/LCP/Pages/CNA-FAQ-Renewal.aspx - process for if you are unable to meet the CEU requirement
https://headlines.coschedule.com/headlines/1057661/analysis/7066740/competition/headline - headline analyzer results
https://cnatraininghelp.com/ - general info on CNA training
