A. Beginning August 15, 2010, a certified nurse aide employed by a nursing facility or contracted by a nursing facility to provide nursing assistant services to the residents of a nursing facility shall be registered with the department.

            (1) Each such certified nurse aide shall apply for registration with the department. Each application for registration of a certified nurse aide shall be submitted to the department on forms provided by the department and shall contain such information required by the department. Additional information required by the department shall be provided by the applicant as requested.

            (2) The registration will be listed on the Louisiana’s Certified Nurse Aide Registry.

            (3) No certified nurse aide shall be employed by a nursing facility or contracted by a nursing facility to provide nursing assistant services after August 15, 2010, unless the certified nurse aide has a valid and current registration with the department.

            B. The department shall establish the following types of registration for such certified nurse aides:

            (1) Unrestricted registration.

            (2) Restricted registration.

            C.(1) An individual who successfully completes one semester of a registered or practical nursing program that includes a course on foundational nursing skills may apply to take a nurse aide competency evaluation examination approved by the department.

            (2) A nurse aide who successfully passes an approved nurse aide competency evaluation examination may register with the Louisiana Certified Nurse Aide Registry and shall not be required to complete a nurse aide training program.

            Acts 2009, No. 357, §1, eff. Aug. 15, 2010; Acts 2023, No. 80, §2.