Nursing Home Advocates Press Pennsylvania for Immediate Nurse Aide Testing Reforms

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives held a joint meeting on May 14, 2025, focusing on Aging and Older Adult Services, where significant concerns regarding the accessibility of nurse aide training and testing were discussed. The meeting highlighted the challenges faced by prospective nurse aides in Pennsylvania, particularly the difficulties in accessing competency exams required to work in long-term care facilities.

Participants noted that many candidates are forced to travel long distances to testing sites, only to encounter cancellations or delays that can extend their wait for testing by months. A survey indicated that 71% of nursing homes reported insufficient local testing sites, and 45% experienced last-minute cancellations. These barriers discourage potential caregivers from pursuing careers in nursing, leading many to seek employment in other sectors.

To address these issues, the meeting proposed the implementation of online virtual skills testing, which could alleviate travel and scheduling problems. A pilot program modeled after Georgia's successful virtual skills evaluation initiative is being considered for Pennsylvania. Additionally, recent changes by the Department of Education now allow facilities to apply for virtual instruction without the previous requirement of two years of in-person training.

Concerns were also raised about the oversight of the testing program, currently managed by multiple state departments, which leads to confusion and inefficiency. Stakeholders advocated for a streamlined approach, suggesting that a single department should oversee the program to improve accountability and transparency.

Legislative action was urged, with calls for the advancement of Senate Bill 114, which aims to modernize nurse aide training and allow candidates to challenge the CNA exam more readily. Furthermore, House Bill 1310 was highlighted as crucial for ensuring adequate funding for nursing home providers, particularly as the state budget deadline approaches.

The discussions underscored the urgent need for reforms in the nurse aide training and testing process to retain caregivers essential for the state's aging population.