How to get a Nursing Assistant (N.A.) license in Rhode Island

Rhode Island nursing assistant licenses

Rhode Island issues 2 nursing assistant credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for every Rhode Island nursing assistant license on this page, so they are shown once here. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

Fees

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee.

Renewal

How often

Every 2 years¹

Renewal fee

$35²

Who needs a Nursing Assistant (N.A.) license

Personal care and basic nursing, rehabilitation and observation tasks (e.g. bathing, feeding, vital signs, ambulation, transfers) under supervision of a licensed nurse, physician or other licensed professional; enemas, colostomy irrigation and moist-heat packs only under direct supervision. Excluded: sterile dressings, tube feeding, injections, Foley catheter changes, tracheostomy care, oxygen application, treatment of non-intact skin, cutting toenails, and medication administration (reminders only) unless also licensed as a medication aide.¹

Work that does not need this license:

• Nursing students (BSN, ADN, accredited LPN or RN programs) who have completed two clinical courses including Fundamentals of Nursing and have a clinical supervisor's written statement are exempt from the training program and from the skills portion of the exam.¹

Requirements for a Nursing Assistant (N.A.) license

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

Education or training

At least 120 clock hours¹
Complete a RIDOH-approved nursing assistant training program of at least 120 clock hours, including at least 40 hours of supervised practical training integrated with classroom topics; at least 16 classroom hours before any direct patient contact. Online programs may deliver the 80 didactic hours over the internet, with the 40 practical hours provided by the employing facility. Programs run in a health care facility must be completed within 90 days.¹
Who may teach it: Programs must be approved by the RIDOH Director (approval lasts two years); the program files your license application with RIDOH and schedules your exam within 10 days of completion.¹
Alternative: A 100-hour state-approved training program completed in another state (with at least 20 hours of supervised clinical training) plus a nursing assistant exam.¹
Alternative: Active enrollment in an accredited nursing program (see exemptions).¹

Exam

Rhode Island nursing assistant examination (written and practical components), e.g. the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP)¹
When you can take it: After completing an approved program; the program prepares the paperwork and schedules testing within 10 days of completion.¹
Written examination¹
Practical (manual skills) examination, performed on a real patient or "pseudo-patient", never a mannequin¹
Retakes: Three opportunities to pass both the written and practical parts; after three failures you must repeat the training program.¹
Time limit: up to 1 year¹
Exam waived: Nursing students meeting § 22.5.1(D) skip the skills portion; out-of-state licensed nursing assistants qualify on their prior state exam.¹

Background check

Background check required¹
RIDOH may deny, suspend or revoke a license for the grounds in R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-17.9-8, unprofessional conduct, patient abuse, abandonment, unauthorised patient photos/recordings, or relationships with patients.¹

Also required

Report any change of home address or employer to RIDOH within 10 days.¹

How much a Nursing Assistant (N.A.) license costs

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

1. Enrol in and complete a RIDOH-approved nursing assistant training program (at least 120 hours).¹
2. Your program files your license application with RIDOH and schedules your written and practical exams with the testing provider within 10 days of completion.¹
3. Submit the application on RIDOH forms with proof of training, proof of passing the exam, the $35 non-refundable fee and a full BCI check from the RI Attorney General's Office.¹
4. Pass both exam parts within one year of starting training (three attempts). You may work on a 120-day temporary permit under direct supervision until you pass.¹
5. Once licensed, check your listing on the RIDOH online verification site.³

Temporary or provisional license

120-day Temporary Permit for exam candidates who have completed an approved program, to work under direct supervision of a licensed nurse or physician until they pass.¹

Renewal and continuing education

When it expires

Expires June 30 every other year; file the renewal application and fee before June 15. Renewed licenses run July 1 to June 30 two years later.¹

Continuing education

At least 12 clock hours each renewal period¹

Required topics

Work requirement: at least 8 hours of paid nursing assistant work in the prior 24 months in a RI-licensed health care facility, assisted living residence, adult day services program or licensed nursing service agency; private-duty work does not count. Alternatively, complete a training program and pass the exam within the past 24 months.¹

Approved courses

In-service hours are completed at the facility where you are employed; keep proof for three years (subject to audit).¹

If it expires

Lapsed under 2 years: reinstated on application and payment of the renewal fee(s).¹
Lapsed 2 years or more without qualifying employment: repeat the training program and all exams.¹
Former RI nursing assistants who kept working in another state (with 12 in-service hours per year) can reinstate with a copy of the other state's license, a reinstatement fee, employment attestation and good-standing verification.¹

Moving to Rhode Island with a license from another state

These are the routes RIDOH publishes for the Nursing Assistant (N.A.) license. The other nursing assistant licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Medication Aide license

Under licensed-nurse supervision, give oral, sublingual, buccal, eye, ear, nasal, rectal, vaginal, topical/transdermal (intact skin), premeasured nebulised and metered-inhaler medications, and PRN medications on prescriber orders, in nursing facilities, adult day services programs and assisted living residences only (not to people at home, not in acute care). No injections, IV, tube or other listed routes, no Schedule II drugs, and no medication pumps; oxygen only under direct supervision.¹

Requirements

High school diploma or GED

Required¹

Education or training

At least 45 clock hours¹
Complete a RIDOH-approved medication aide training program given by an accredited college or university: at least 45 classroom hours of theory and practical instruction (no correspondence or online courses), entry by written referral from a director of nursing or administrator of a RI nursing facility, adult day services program or assisted living residence, plus a skills demonstration supervised by an RN within one year of completing the course. Instructors are licensed pharmacists.¹
Who may teach it: RIDOH-approved programs at accredited colleges or universities only; approval lasts two years.¹

Exam

Medication Aide Certification Exam¹
When you can take it: After completing the approved medication aide training program.¹

Background check

Background check required¹
No felony conviction for crimes involving controlled substances, unless RIDOH waives it on satisfactory evidence that the conviction does not impair safe practice.¹

Also required

Must hold an active Rhode Island nursing assistant license.¹

Also required

For the first three months a designated licensed nurse evaluates you monthly, then at least quarterly; wear a name tag showing your license designation.¹

How to apply

1. Hold an active RI nursing assistant license and get written referral from a director of nursing or administrator of a RI nursing facility, adult day services program or assisted living residence.¹
2. Complete a RIDOH-approved 45-hour college or university medication aide program and pass the Medication Aide Certification Exam.¹
3. Apply on RIDOH forms with proof of training (signed by the clinical supervisor or licensed nurse), the $35 non-refundable fee and a full BCI check.¹

Temporary or provisional license

No temporary permit in the rule; the RIDOH verification site lists a "Medication Aide Provisional" license type and "Emergency Temp Medication Aide".³

Renewal

Continuing education

At least 4 hours each renewal period¹

Required topics

Medication administration topics; plus at least 8 hours of work as a medication aide in the prior 24 months in a RI nursing facility, assisted living residence or adult day services program (or a new course and exam within 24 months).¹

Approved courses

Courses presented, accepted or approved by professional nursing organizations, pharmacy schools, health care facilities, employers, or other approved professional, labour or accrediting bodies; keep documentation three years (random audit).¹

If it expires

Lapsed under 2 years: reinstated on application and renewal fee(s); 2 years or more without qualifying employment: repeat training and exams.¹

From another state

The rules this license shares with every other level are under Applies to every license level.

City and county rules

Medication Aide license, Rhode Island Department of HealthNo local license: nursing assistants and medication aides are licensed statewide by the Rhode Island Department of Health.¹

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a nursing assistant in Rhode Island, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Rhode Island is on the Rhode Island license lookup page.

Look up a license

healthri.mylicense.com³

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• 216-RICR-40-05-22 Nursing Assistants, Medication Aides, and the Approval of Nursing Assistant and Medication Aide Training Programs
• 216-RICR-10-05-2 Fee Structure for Licensing, Laboratory and Administrative Services Provided by the Department of Health, § 2.9 (Nursing Assistant) and § 2.18
• R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 23-17.9 (Registration of Nursing Assistants), incl. §§ 23-17.9-2, -5, -6, -7, -8, -9, -14, as cited in 216-RICR-40-05-22 (statute site not reachable)
• 42 CFR 483.150-483.158 (nurse aide training, competency evaluation and registry), 483.152 incorporated by reference in 216-RICR-40-05-22 § 22.2

Common questions

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