Resources to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant

We developed a tip sheet to help guide parents and caregivers through the steps to become a CNA.

We continue to wait for approval to allow parents/legally responsible adults (LRAs) to become paid caregivers if they are a certified nursing assistant (CNA) and employed by a nursing agency.

We understand that our participant families are eager for this change to take effect. Allowing parents and caregivers who are CNAs to become paid caregivers is an important step in strengthening support for families of individuals who need in-home shift nursing.

To help families prepare as we await approval, we’ve put together a Certified Nursing Assistant Resources Tip Sheet.

This tip sheet aims to guide parents and caregivers through the steps to become a CNA. It links to several websites for your convenience and provides general guidelines.

CNA Resources Tip Sheet in English

CNA Resources Tip Sheet in Spanish

You can also find the CNA Resources Tip Sheet on our Home Care Nursing Information for Families page.

Our Family Advisory Council reviewed this tip sheet to make sure it’s as helpful for families as possible.

Please remember that currently, parents/LRAs can only be paid for providing skilled nursing services to their children if they hold an active registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) license. This rule applies to parents/LRAs of all children approved for Home Care Program services, regardless of the child’s age.

The plan to allow CNAs as paid family caregivers requires an amendment to the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for Those Who Are Medically Fragile, Technology Dependent (MFTD waiver). It also requires the creation of a new state plan amendment. Both approvals must be in place to allow for this change.

There is currently no set timeline for the state plan amendment and the MFTD waiver amendment to be approved.

Once approved, we will notify you as quickly as possible.

If you have any questions, please contact your DSCC Care Coordinator at (800) 322-3722.