Why did my classmate receive a longer period of time on his/her initial certificate
than I did? Some applicants receive a longer period of time on their initial certification because
certificates are issued based on an individual’s date of birth. However, all CNAs/HHAs
will receive at least two years from the effective date on their initial certificate.
I passed the CNA test some months ago. What is holding up my certificate? For ATCS to issue a CNA certificate, the applicants must have passed the competency
evaluation AND a criminal background check.
Can I get certified if I have had prior convictions? It depends on the type of convictions that you have. If you have a conviction that
may result in the denial of your certificate, you will be notified by mail. All CNAs/HHAs
with convictions for misdemeanors and felonies are reported to the Investigation Section
(IS), by the California Department of Justice (DOJ), for review. The Fingerprint Investigation
Unit (FIU), of IS considers the type of conviction and other factors of good character
and rehabilitation. After review, a decision will be made to either deny or issue
you a criminal record clearance. However, IS is required to deny applicants who have
certain misdemeanor and felony convictions.
After I was convicted and completed probation, I had my conviction dismissed by the
court. Will I be certified if my conviction was dismissed? After a conviction, the court may grant your request to have your case dismissed pursuant
to Penal Code, 1203.4. If you obtained such a dismissal, your conviction will still
be reported to ATCS for review to consider the type of crime and other factors of
good character and rehabilitation.
If I have a conviction, how long will it take to review my case? This depends on the workload in FIU and the type of criminal record that you have.
For less serious offenses, the review may be completed in four (4) weeks from receipt
of your criminal record from DOJ.
Did ATCS receive my application material I recently sent? It is not possible to look through all incoming mail to find your application material
due to a huge volume of applications received each day and limited number of staff.
ATCS processes all applications by the date received in ATCS.
Whom should I notify if I move? Within 60 days of your moving, you must send in your change of address to ATCS either
by fax or mail. (The address and FAX number are on page 1.) Be sure to include your
Social Security number on any correspondence. Any information/documents that are sent
to you will be sent to the address on the ATCS computer record. It is equally important
to provide any change of telephone number.
Renewals
What are continuing education units (CEUs) or in-service training hours and what kind
of courses may I take to satisfy CNA and HHA renewal requirement? "CEU” is any extra training over and above your working hours that enhances your knowledge
of nursing skills. Certain college courses can also be counted converting the units
to hours as follows: each semester unit=15 hours, each quarter unit=10 hours. “In-service
training” are sessions available to all employed certified nurse assistants to enhance
knowledge and skills and address areas of weaknesses (See Title 22, Division 5, Chapter
2.5). The required number of in-service training hours for CNAs is 48; for HHAs, it
is 24 hours in the two-year certification period.
If my CNA certificate has expired, may I renew without retaking the competency evaluation? If your CNA certificate has been expired less than two years AND you have met the
renewal requirements (obtained 48 hours of in-service/continuing education training
hours AND worked at least one day for pay providing nursing services), you may renew
your certificate by sending a renewal application to ATCS. You will not have to retake
the competency evaluation.
My certificate has expired, may I work? No, not until you send in your renewal application as described above. Keep copies
of the application to show to your employer/prospective employer verifying that you
did send these items to ATCS. It is the policy of ATCS to allow you to work if we
have processed your application material. If your employer does not accept this policy,
there is nothing ATCS can do to override that decision.
Under what circumstances must I take CNA retraining? If your certificate has expired more than two years. You must also be re-fingerprinted
upon enrollment into training.
Can I renew my HHA certificate without renewing my CNA certificate? Yes, if your HHA certificate has not expired over two years. You should send the application
to ATCS. If it is over two years from the expiration date, you must take HHA retraining.
However, you may NOT take a 40-hour retraining course if you do not have an active
CNA certificate. Without an active CNA certificate, you must take a 120-hour HHA training
class.
Am I supposed to receive a notice to renew? Yes. Approximately 4 months before time to renew, all CNAs/HHAs are sent renewal notices.
However, non receipt of the renewal notice does not relieve you from the responsibility
of renewing your certificate. It is your responsibility to fax or send your request
for a renewal application (HS 283C form) to ATCS to the fax number or address on page
1. You may also get a copy of an HS 283C form on the web @ http://www.dhs.ca.gov/publications/forms/L&C/l&c.htm.
As soon as you receive the notice/application, you should complete it and send it
to ATCS to ensure that your certification will not be interrupted.
What does “delinquent status” mean? It means that your certificate has expired more than 30 days.
Reactivations
Why must I “reactivate” instead of being able to renew? CNA “reactivations” are for
applicants who cannot meet BOTH renewal requirements (worked for pay providing nursing
services and accumulated 48 hours of in-service/continuing education training) and
must re-take the competency evaluation OR for CNA and HHA applicants, certificates
have expired for more than 2 years. There are two options that you may take to reactivate
your certificate if you don’t qualify to renew:
For CNAs Only If you HAVE NOT met BOTH of your renewal requirements AND IT IS LESS THAN TWO YEARS
SINCE YOUR CERTIFICATE EXPIRED, you will qualify to retake the competency evaluation
without re-training. Send your renewal application OR renewal notice to ATCS, and
check the box for “reactivation”. You will be sent information about how and where
you may take the competency evaluation to reactivate.
If it has been over two years since your certificate expired, you must retrain at
an ATCS-approved training program. Send an application and a copy of a completed BCII
8016 Request for Live Scan Service form which shows you have had fingerprints taken.
New fingerprints are required even though you may have been previously cleared through
a background check for CNA certification.
After ATCS receives your application, you complete the training, and ATCS receives
verification from the testing vendor that you passed the competency evaluation; ATCS
will reactivate your certificate accordingly.
For HHAs Only
If it has been over four years since your certificate expired, AND you have an active
CNA certificate, you must complete an approved 40-hour HHA training program and send
an application and fingerprints (2nd copy of the completed Request for Live Scan Service
form) to ATCS. New fingerprints are required even though you may have been previously
cleared through a background check for HHA certification.
When your training program reports to ATCS that you completed the training, ATCS can
reactivate your certificate.
Without an active CNA certificate, you must complete an approved 120-hour HHA training
program to reactivate. You must send an application and fingerprints (2nd copy of
the completed Request for Live Scan Service form) to ATCS. Your training program reports
to ATCS that you completed the training, ATCS can reactivate your HHA certification.