Nurse Certifications and Skilled Nursing Caregivers

ShiftMed employs a nationwide network of healthcare professionals with various nurse certifications. Through our nursing jobs app, we currently offer shifts at healthcare facilities, from skilled nursing facilities to hospitals, in 158 markets across 28 states. Every state has different requirements for practicing in the nursing profession. Not to mention, every facility has unique procedures for providing patient care. This blog post will cover the basic ShiftMed requirements and state-specific nurse credentials you must have to claim shifts in a particular state. We'll also discuss the additional credentials you might need to work at certain facilities.

Core ShiftMed Requirements

No matter what type of nurse you are, anyone who wants to work with ShiftMed must upload the following documents to the ShiftMed app as part of our credentialing process:

We also require CPR certification for LPNs and RNs before they can claim shifts in our app. CNAs working in Illinois must also be certified in CPR. Please note that upon review of a professional license, if there's a board action or public order on the license, ShiftMed reserves the right not to proceed with an offer of employment.

Arizona Credentialing Requirements

In Arizona, we hire certified caregivers (CCs), certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed nursing assistants (LNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs). Your professional license must be through the State of Arizona.

The following credentials/clear records are required for all hires:

  • Negative TB Test Results

  • Two References

  • Fingerprint Clearance Card Verification

  • Office of Inspector General Exclusion Check

California Credentialing Requirements

In California, we hire certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs). Your professional license must be through the State of California.

The following credentials/clear records are required for all hires:

  • Annual Physical

  • Negative TB Test Results

  • Checkr Criminal Background Check

  • Office of Inspector General Exclusion Check

Colorado Credentialing Requirements

In Colorado, we hire certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs). Your professional license must be through the State of Colorado.

The following credentials/clear records are required for all hires:

  • Negative TB Test Results

  • Colorado Background Check

  • CAPS System Verification

  • Office of Inspector General Exclusion Check

Florida Credentialing Requirements

In Florida, we hire certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs). Your professional license must be through the State of Florida.

The following credentials/clear records are required for all hires:

  • Annual Physical

  • Two References

  • Fingerprint-based Background Check via the Agency for Health Care Administration

  • Office of the Inspector General Exclusion Check

Georgia Credentialing Requirements

In Georgia, we hire certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs). Your professional license must be through the State of Georgia.

The following credentials/clear records are required for all hires:

  • Annual Physical

  • Checkr Criminal Background Check

  • Georgia Sexual Offender Registry Check

  • Office of Inspector General Exclusion Check

Illinois Credentialing Requirements

In Illinois, we hire certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs). Your professional license must be through the State of Illinois.

The following credentials/clear records are required for all hires:

  • Annual Physical

  • Negative TB Test Results

  • CPR Certification

  • Two References

  • Applicable Illinois Registry Checks

Additionally, CNAs working in Illinois must complete a background check through the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Indiana Credentialing Requirements

In Indiana, we hire certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs). Your professional license must be through the State of Indiana. The following credentials/clear records are required for all hires:

  • Annual Physical

  • Negative TB Test Results

  • Indiana State Police Background Check

  • Office of Inspector General Exclusion Check

Iowa Credentialing Requirements

In Iowa, we hire certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs). Your professional license must be through the State of Iowa.

The following credentials/clear records are required for all hires:

  • Annual Physical

  • Negative TB Test Results

  • Iowa Criminal Background Check

  • Office of Inspector General Exclusion Check

The following credential is required for LPNs and RNs:

  • Resume

Kansas Credentialing Requirements

In Kansas, we hire certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs). Your professional license must be through the State of Kansas.

The following credentials/clear records are required for all hires:

  • Annual Physical

  • Negative TB Test Results

  • Fingerprint-based Background Check via the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability

  • National Sex Offender Check

  • Office of Inspector General Exclusion Check

Kentucky Credentialing Requirements

In Kentucky, we hire certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs). Your professional license must be through the State of Kentucky.

The following credentials/clear records are required for all hires:

  • Negative TB Test Results

  • Fingerprint-based Background Check via the KARES System

  • KY Required Registry Checks

  • Office of Inspector General Exclusion Check

Louisiana Credentialing Requirements

In Louisiana, we hire certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs). Your professional license must be through the State of Louisiana.

The following credentials/clear records are required for all hires:

  • Annual Physical

  • Negative TB Test Results

  • Checkr Criminal Background Check

  • National Sex Offender Registry Check

  • Louisiana State Adverse Actions List Search

  • Office of Inspector General Exclusion Check

Maryland Credentialing Requirements

In Maryland, we hire certified nursing assistants (CNAs), geriatric nursing assistants (GNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs). Your professional license must be through the State of Maryland.

The following credentials/clear records are required for all hires:

  • Negative TB Test Results

  • Criminal Background Check

  • Office of Inspector General Exclusion Check

Massachusetts Credentialing Requirements

In Massachusetts, we hire certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs). Your professional license must be through the State of Massachusetts.

The following credentials/clear records are required for all hires:

  • Annual Physical

  • Two References

  • Criminal Background Check

  • Office of Inspector General Exclusion Check

Michigan Credentialing Requirements

In Michigan, we hire certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs). Your professional license must be through the State of Michigan.

The following credentials/clear records are required for all hires:

  • Annual Physical

  • Negative TB Test Results

  • Fingerprint-based Background Check via LARA

  • Office of Inspector General Exclusion Check

Minnesota Credentialing Requirements

In Minnesota, we hire certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs). Your professional license must be through the State of Minnesota.

The following credentials/clear records are required for all hires:

  • Negative TB Test Results

  • Criminal Background Check via the MN Department of Human Services

  • Office of Inspector General Exclusion Check

Missouri Credentialing Requirements

In Missouri, we hire certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs). Your certification or professional license must be through the State of Missouri.

The following credentials/clear records are required for all hires:

  • Annual Physical

  • Negative TB Test Results

  • Checkr Criminal Background Check

  • Employee Disqualification List Check

  • Family Care Safety Registry Check

  • Office of Inspector General Exclusion Check

New Jersey Credentialing Requirements

In New Jersey, we hire certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs). Your professional license must be through the State of New Jersey.

The following credentials/clear records are required for all hires:

  • Annual Physical

  • Negative TB Test Results

  • Checkr Criminal Background Check

  • Office of Inspector General Exclusion Check

New Mexico Credentialing Requirements

In New Mexico, we hire certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs). Your professional license must be through the State of New Mexico.

The following credentials/clear records are required for all hires:

  • Negative TB Test Results

  • New Mexico Background Check

  • Office of Inspector General Exclusion Check

New York Credentialing Requirements

In New York, we hire certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs). Your professional license must be through the State of New York.

The following credentials/clear records are required for all hires:

  • Annual Physical

  • Negative TB Test Results

  • MMR Vaccinations

  • Office of the Medicaid Inspector General Exclusion Check

  • Office of Inspector General Exclusion Check

  • System for Award Management Exclusion Check

  • NY SORA Exclusion Check

The following credentials are required for CNAs:

  • Resume

  • 103 CHRC Form for Orientation Shifts

The following credential is required for LPNs and RNs:

  • Criminal Background Check

North Carolina Credentialing Requirements

In North Carolina, we hire certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs). Your professional license must be through the State of North Carolina.

The following credentials/clear records are required for all hires:

  • Negative TB Test Results

  • Two References

  • Office of Inspector General Exclusion Check

The following credentials are required for CNAs:

  • Name or Fingerprint-based Background Check

The following credential is required for LPNs and RNs:

  • DHSR Registry Check

Ohio Credentialing Requirements

In Ohio, we hire state-tested nurse aides (STNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs). Your professional license must be through the State of Ohio.

The following credentials/clear records are required for all hires:

  • Annual Physical

  • Negative TB Test Results

  • Office of Inspector General Exclusion Check

  • BCI Criminal Background Check

Additionally, if you are a non-resident or have lived in Ohio for less than five years, you must complete an FBI background check.

Oklahoma Credentialing Requirements

In Oklahoma, we hire certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs). Your professional license must be through the State of Oklahoma.

The following credentials/clear records are required for all hires:

  • Annual Physical

  • Negative TB Test Results

  • Oklahoma Criminal Background Check

  • Office of Inspector General Exclusion Check

  • Required Registry Checks

Pennsylvania Credentialing Requirements

In Pennsylvania, we hire certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs). Your professional license must be through the State of Pennsylvania.

The following credentials/clear records are required for all hires:

  • Annual Physical

  • Negative TB Test Results

  • PATCH Criminal Background Check

  • Office of Inspector General Exclusion Check

Additionally, if you are a non-resident or have lived in Pennsylvania for less than two years, you must complete an FBI background check through the Department of Aging.

South Carolina Credentialing Requirements

In South Carolina, we hire certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs). Your professional license must be through the State of South Carolina.

The following credentials/clear records are required for all hires:

  • Annual Physical

  • SLED or Checkr Criminal Background Check (depending on residency)

  • South Carolina Sexual Predator Registry List

  • Office of Inspector General Exclusion Check

Tennessee Credentialing Requirements

In Tennessee, we hire certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs). Your professional license must be through the State of Tennessee.

The following credentials/clear records are required for all hires:

  • Negative TB Test Results

  • Checkr Criminal Background Check

  • Tennessee Abuse Check Registry

  • Tennessee Sex Offender Check Registry

  • Office of Inspector General Exclusion Check

Texas Credentialing Requirements

In Texas, we hire certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs). Your professional license must be through the State of Texas.

The following credentials/clear records are required for all hires:

  • Negative TB Test Results

  • Checkr Criminal Background Check

  • Texas Employability Status Check Search

  • Office of Inspector General Exclusion Check

Virginia Credentialing Requirements

In Virginia, we hire certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs). Your professional license must be through the State of Virginia.

The following credentials/clear records are required for all hires:

  • Annual Physical

  • Negative TB Test Results

  • Checkr Criminal Background Check

  • Office of Inspector General Exclusion Check

Wisconsin Credentialing Requirements

In Wisconsin, we hire certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs). Your professional license must be through the State of Wisconsin.

The following credentials/clear records are required for all hires:

  • Physician Statement

  • Negative TB Test Results

  • Wisconsin Criminal Background Check

  • Office of Inspector General Exclusion Check

If you are a non-resident, you must complete a Checkr criminal background check instead. Non-resident CNAs must complete applicable registry checks.

Additional Credentials

When onboarding with ShiftMed, you can upload additional credentials into our app. While these aren't ShiftMed requirements, they're credentials that some of our facility partners require. Essentially, the more credentials you have, the more shifts you'll have to pick from. For example, approximately 75% of our partner facilities in Georgia require drug testing. So, if you don't have a recent negative drug test on file, you're limited as to where you can work. Another credential not required to work in most states—but highly sought after by our facility partners—is your resume, especially if you're an LPN or RN. Currently, Iowa requires LPNs and RNs to have a resume on file with us, while New York requires resumes for CNAs.

Here are some of the most common additional credentials our facility partners look for:

  • Annual Physical

  • References

  • Resume

  • Flu Vaccination

  • MMR Vaccination

  • Varicella Vaccination

  • Negative COVID Test Results

Get Started With ShiftMed

If you're a licensed CNA, GNA, STNA, LPN, LVN, or RN looking for job flexibility, download the ShiftMed app and start your onboarding process today.