Kenechukwu Orth

New Hampshire’s Licensed Nursing Assistants (LNAs) are credentialed by the state’s Board of Nursing. LNAs must complete training programs, pass skills and knowledge assessments, and clear criminal background checks.

Nursing assistants who have held credentials in the past may reinstate them through examination.

Prospective LNAs may either 1) complete approved nursing assistant programs or 2) demonstrate to the Board that they have training that is at least equivalent.

The Board has provided a list of New Hampshire-approved nursing assistant programs (http://www.nh.gov/nursing/educational/educational-programs-lna.htm).

Click here to learn about Nursing Assistant programs as well as other entry to nursing and health care programs in New Hampshire.

Individuals may also be licensed on the basis of comparable nursing education. They will need to have completed “fundamentals of nursing”. The required content is described in Provision 704.09 of the nursing rules. To be license qualifying, a course must have been completed in the prior five years.

Prospective LNAs may pursue challenge examination. They will need written approval. The Board notes that there are multiple ways to acquire the prerequisite equivalent education (http://www.nh.gov/nursing/nursing-assistant/challenge-program-guidelines-lna.htm). The nursing rules state that an individual who has completed a program in another state can be considered competent to test in New Hampshire (http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rules/state_agencies/nur100-800.html).

The Board has provided a list of approved challenge programs. The challenge process involves more than just examination. The program will also provide written materials to the student (http://www.nh.gov/nursing/nursing-assistant/challenge-program-guidelines-lna.htm).

Whatever training pathways they follow, prospective LNAs must eventually pass both knowledge and skills evaluations. Examination will be required a second time if the nursing assistant allows certification to lapse.

Tests are available through multiple organizations (http://www.nh.gov/nursing/educational/competency-testing-mna.htm). One option is New Hampshire-based Excel Testing. Other options are the American Red Cross of Massachusetts and Pearson VUE. Program choice may determine testing vendor.

There are commonalities in the examinations offered by major testing agencies. The knowledge assessment is multiple choice and may be taken in written or oral format. The skills assessment requires the prospective LNA to perform a sampling of nursing assistant duties. Test takers will need to work under time constraints. Testing agencies will make reasonable accommodations for individuals who qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act, provided that protocol is followed. Policies are outlined in candidate handbooks, which are available from the respective vendors.

Although candidates typically need to go through other organizations before registering with a testing agency, they may visit the websites of the testing agencies to preview content outlines and other assessment materials. Pearson VUE notes that New Hampshire test takers must contact their program, facility, or credentialing agency to register for the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP), but that they should keep a copy of the NNAAP handbook for future reference (http://www.pearsonvue.com/nh/nurseaides/). They may call (888) 204-6187 if they have questions about taking the NNAAP in New Hampshire.

Excel Testing notes that individuals seeking to reinstate lapsed licenses may register with Excel after the Board of Nursing has determined eligibility. Excel can be reached by telephone at (603) 647-4900 or by email at ‘info at ExcelTestingNH.com’.

Individuals will need to complete criminal records checks.

In-state applicants should have fingerprints made at the Department of Public Safety Building in Concord or at another approved site (http://www.nh.gov/nursing/enforcement/obtain-criminal-background-check.htm). The fingerprints will be captured using a livescan (electronic) process. Applicants can request DPS appointments by calling (603) 223-3867.

Out-of-state applicants will mail fingerprint cards and authorization forms to the Board. They will need to have the fingerprints made on the correct card. Applicants can request fingerprint cards by emailing ‘boardquestions at nursing.state.nh.us’.

The background processing fee is $49.75.

The Criminal Record Release Authorization form is to be notarized.

Some individuals will need to seek Board approval before examination. All candidates will submit materials to the Board once requirements have been met. Application materials are available on the Board website (http://www.nh.gov/nursing/forms/index.htm#la).

Applicants are asked to submit copies of both their program certificates and their competency evaluation results.

Nursing students can use official transcripts or letters from their programs to verify completion of nursing fundamentals.

The application fee is $35.

Licensure is verified online.

Nursing assistants can be endorsed into New Hampshire on the basis of active licensure and recent work experience (http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rules/state_agencies/nur100-800.html). New Hampshire requires 200 hours spent practicing nursing skills and knowledge under the supervision of a Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Nurse, or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse; the experience must have been accrued in the previous two years. Endorsement candidates must also demonstrate 24 contact hours of continuing competence education, earned during the prior two years. Nursing assistants who completed clinical and skills assessments in the prior two years, however, are exempt from the work experience and continuing competence requirements (http://www.nh.gov/nursing/licensure/apply-for-new-lna-license.htm).

Endorsement applicants will need to include copies of their certificates or licenses. They will also submit verification forms to the state registries. Applicants are advised to check with the out-of-state registries in advance to find out whether a fee is required for the service. The endorsement application packet includes the necessary license verification forms and contact hour reporting forms.

“We definitely want to do it,” Andretti said during an interview for Online Racing Industry Week presented by epartrade.com and racer.com. “Obviously, it wouldn’t be a (2023) program. It would be a ’24 program. We’re very interested in it, and hopefully, we can put something together soon.”

In the meantime, Andretti Autosport announced Tuesday that Jarett Andretti and Josh Burdon will be the 2022 full-season drivers of the No. 36 Gallant-sponsored Ligier JS P320 in the LMP3 class. Gabby Chaves and Rasmus Lindh will join them for the season opener, the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

LMDh will replace Daytona Prototype international (DPi) as the series’ top division in 2023. Five manufacturers and four teams have committed so far to the hybrid-based class. The series’ specifications are in line with Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) specs, allowing competitors to race LMDh cars in other series and events in addition to the WeatherTech Championship, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

“They did a great job working together with the FIA in Europe to come up with a package that you’ll be able to go and run Le Mans,” Michael Andretti said. “I think that was very important that we have equal rules for that.”

The structure of the LMDh program is attractive to his team’s future, Andretti said.

“I think they did a great job,” he said. “It’s very cost-effective for a manufacturer to come in now, where before it was a ‘he who has the most money is going to win’ type of thing. Now it’s going to be limited as to what they can spend and do. I think it’s going to make for a better series. There’s going to be a lot of interest.”

Andretti Autosport debuted the LMP3 program earlier this year in the IMSA Prototype Challenge, then moved to the WeatherTech Championship at mid-season. Jarett Andretti finished eighth in the final LMP3 standings.

The LMP3 program was a promise Michael Andretti made to his cousin John Andretti, who died of cancer in January 2020. Jarett Andretti, John’s son, is in charge of the operation.

“I’m there to support him,” Michael Andretti said. “I promised John I would support Jarett in whatever he was going to do. Also, it’s been good for us to learn for when we do get into the series in a bigger way. It’s been a good learning experience from that standpoint.

“Basically, it is Jarett’s program. He gets 100 percent credit for what’s being done there. We’re trying to support it as much as we can, but it’s his baby.”

Jarett Andretti’s best finish in 2021 was fourth place in the IMSA WeatherTech 240 at Watkins Glen International in July. Burdon joined the team for the season finale, the Motul Petit Le Mans, where they retired early and finished 10th in class.

“I’m looking forward to the experience,” Jarett Andretti said. “I think we have a great driver lineup and the team is ready. This is a historic competition and we are all excited to be a part of it.”

Chaves is the 2020 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge co-champion in the Touring Car (TCR) class. He has 10 career WeatherTech Championship starts, all in prototypes including in an LMP3 in this year’s Rolex 24. Lindh finished fifth in the LMP3 standings this season with a pair of second-place finishes driving for Performance Tech Motorsports.

A captive is a licensed insurance company fully owned and controlled by its insureds - a type of “self- insurance ” Instead of paying to use