Assigned to HHS FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, Second Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1640
nursing assistants; minimum age
Purpose
Requires a certified nursing assistant (CNA) or licensed nursing assistant (LNA) to be at
least 16 years old.
Background
A CNA or LNA applicant must file a verified application on an Arizona Board of Nursing
(AZBN) prescribed form, accompanied by the required fee. The applicant must also submit a
verified statement indicating whether the applicant has been convicted of a felony as well as proof
that the applicant: 1) satisfactorily completed a competency examination and the basic curriculum
of an AZBN-approved program; and 2) received a valid certificate from the program (A.R.S.
§ 32-1645). The AZBN must revoke and may not issue or renew a license to any person who has
one or more felony convictions and who has not received an absolute discharge from the sentences
for all felony convictions three or more years prior to the date of application (A.R.S. § 32-1646).
An LNA or CNA applicant who wishes to be placed on the registry of nursing assistants
must pass both the written and manual skills competency examinations on subjects contained in
the AZBN-approved training program. The AZBN may issue an LNA license to a person who
successfully passes both examinations and meets all other prescribed requirements (A.R.S.
§ 32-1647).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires CNAs and LNAs to be at least 16 years of age.
2. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 7, 2022
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