(a) Every certified nursing assistant shall recertify biennially by filing an application; provided however, that the certification of any certified nursing assistant who is on active military duty with the armed forces of the United States and serving in a theater of hostilities on the date such application or recertification is due shall be deemed to be current and in full compliance with this chapter until the expiration of 30 days after such certified nursing assistant is no longer on active military duty in a theater of hostilities.
(b) Upon receipt of an application and fee, the Department shall verify the accuracy of the information set forth in the application and issue to the applicant a certificate of renewal for 2 years, provided that the applicant has successfully completed continuing education requirements as established by the Department.
(1) Such certificate shall entitle the holder to engage in work as a certified nursing assistant for the period stated therein.
(2) The amount charged for the renewal fee imposed under this chapter shall approximate and reasonably reflect all costs necessary to defray the expenses of maintaining an educational website from which certified nursing assistants will receive the required educational credits.
a. The application fee shall not be combined with any other fee or charge.
b. At the beginning of each biennial calendar year, the Department or any other state agency acting on its behalf, shall compute the appropriate fee for the coming 2 years.
(c) A certification may be renewed up to 30 days past the certification's expiration date by submitting, to the Department, payment of a $25 penalty fee along with an application and proof of completion of continuing education requirements during the previous certification period. The certification of a certified nursing assistant who fails to renew on time or during the 30-day late renewal period is considered lapsed and the certified nursing assistant is not permitted to work until the certified nursing assistant submits an application and takes and passes the certified nursing assistant test.