DC Health details licensing system changes, compacts limits and CNA testing backlog

Committee members pressed DC Health on multiple licensing and professional-regulation matters, including longer average processing times, birth‑month renewal transition issues, compacts that limit local disciplinary authority, and low first‑time pass rates for certified nursing assistant (CNA) psychomotor exams.

Sam Hurley, senior deputy for Health Systems and Preparedness, said the department has implemented applicant-facing improvements (clearer instructions, checklists) and is piloting a commercial licensure management system in EMS that could be expanded to other license types. Staff explained that the birth-month renewal transition created some short license windows for a subset of licensees during staggering; DC Health is issuing temporary extensions and reduced continuing-education burdens where the transition produced sub‑two‑year terms. On compacts, Ayesha Nixon, associate director for licensing boards, explained that PSYPACT limits DC’s ability to discipline non‑DC licensees; DC Health will refer complaints to home states and may consider alternative endorsement models when compacts undermine local oversight.

On CNA testing, officials said skills‑testing access issues and testing vendor backlogs, not necessarily training quality, depressed first‑time pass rates. The agency held four testing events to rescue candidates stuck in the backlog and will launch a live application for certified medication aids and assisted‑living administrator licensure in April. DC Health agreed to follow up with complainants who reported anomalous renewal timelines and to provide the committee with a timeline for the LinkU behavioral-health dashboard rollout.