On August 29, 2022, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published QSO-22-15-NHNLTC & LSC Revised, that announced the 1135 waiver for nurse aide (NA) training and certification was ending on June 7, 2022, requiring all NA-Registered (NAR) to be NA-Certified (NAC) by October 7, 2022.

With assistance from the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission (NCQAC), the Department of Health (DOH), Leading Age Washington and Washington Health Care Association (WHCA), the Department of Social and Health Services (department) applied for a statewide 1135 waiver request due to widespread barriers identified for the nurse aide (NA) training and certification program in Washington state. On September 29, 2022, CMS approved the statewide waiver valid until March 29, 2023 (180 days), or until the end of the public health emergency (PHE), whichever comes first. It is important to understand that despite having more time to complete this requirement, facilities need to continue moving rapidly towards the goal of achieving certifications for all NARs that exceed the 4-month requirement as the PHE may end before March 29. 2023. 

Read full letter here.

Questions?

Contact:

Laura Hofmann, MSN, RN – Director of Clinical and Nursing Facility Regulatory Services
c: 425-231-4804