Certified Nursing Assistant Workforce Improvement Act
The Certified Nursing Assistant Workforce Improvement Act would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to revise the training supervision rules for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in nursing facilities and skilled nursing facilities. Within one year of enactment, HHS would revise 42 C.F.R. 483.152(a)(5)(i) so that the registered nurse who provides general supervision for CNA training must have at least 2 years of nursing experience, and the experience need not be in long-term care facility services. This change applies to the CNA training requirements under the Social Security Act sections 1819(f)(2) and 1919(f)(2), which govern Medicare/Medicaid-funded facilities. The aim is to broaden the pool of eligible supervising RNs and potentially streamline CNA training in long-term care settings. The bill’s intent appears to address workforce shortages and training bottlenecks by easing the restrictions on who can supervise CNA training, while maintaining a minimum standard of nursing experience. As a regulatory change, it shifts the supervision credentialing standard rather than creating new training programs or funding.
Key Points
- 1The bill directs HHS to revise the CNA training supervision rule in 42 C.F.R. 483.152(a)(5)(i) within 1 year of enactment.
- 2The supervising RN must have at least 2 years of nursing experience, and this experience need not be in long-term care facility services.
- 3The change applies to CNA training requirements under Medicare/Medicaid provisions in the Social Security Act (sections 1819(f)(2) and 1919(f)(2)).
- 4The modification removes the prior restriction that RN supervision experience must be in long-term care settings.
- 5The bill was introduced by Rep. Van Orden on May 15, 2025 and referred to the Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce committees.