To transfer an active out-of-state certification onto the Kentucky Nurse Aide Registry, you file a Kentucky CNA reciprocity application (formally the SRNA Reciprocity Application) through the Kentucky Board of Nursing Nurse Portal. If your certification is active, you have worked for pay as a nurse aide within the last 24 months, and your name is not on any state’s abuse registry, you do not have to repeat training or the competency exam.
Who Qualifies for Reciprocity
Kentucky Administrative Regulation 907 KAR 1:450, Section 9 sets three conditions, and all three must be met:1Kentucky Legislative Research Commission. 907 KAR 1:450 – Nurse Aide Training Criteria and Registry
- The state where you are currently certified must provide documentation confirming you are on its nurse aide registry.
- Your employment record must show that no more than 24 months have passed since you last worked for pay as a nurse aide.
- You cannot be listed on any state’s registry for resident abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of resident property.
The abuse-registry rule is absolute. A listing on any state’s registry disqualifies you regardless of the circumstances. If your out-of-state certification has lapsed or expired, reciprocity is also unavailable, and you would need to complete a new training program instead.
Documents to Gather Before You Start
Missing a single item will stall the application, so pull everything together before you log in:
- A legible copy of your Social Security card showing your full name and number.
- A driver’s license or government-issued photo ID with a name that matches your Social Security card exactly.
- A copy of your current state-registered nurse aide or CNA certificate, showing the certificate number and issuing state.
- Proof of paid nurse aide work within the past 24 months. A recent pay stub, a W-2, or a letter on facility letterhead signed by a supervisor will work.1Kentucky Legislative Research Commission. 907 KAR 1:450 – Nurse Aide Training Criteria and Registry
The application itself asks for your full legal name (first, middle, and last), Social Security number, the state where you are currently certified, and your certification or registration number.2Kentucky Board of Nursing. State Registered Nurse Aide – SRNA Reciprocity You will also be asked to report all misdemeanor and felony convictions from any jurisdiction. The only exception is traffic misdemeanors other than DUIs.3Kentucky Board of Nursing. Kentucky Board of Nursing – Criminal Convictions Disclose everything. KBN runs its own state and federal criminal history search, and mismatches between your disclosure and the results will hold up the application.4Kentucky Board of Nursing. Mandatory Reporting of Criminal Convictions and Disciplinary Actions
Fingerprints and the Background Check
KBN requires a state and federal background check through IdentoGO’s live scan. The fee is $54, paid directly to IdentoGO. Register at uenroll.identogo.com using KBN’s service code 27GKJR. Electronic results usually reach the board within three business days.
If you are still out of state, you can use any of IdentoGO’s 500-plus nationwide enrollment centers with the same pre-enrollment process. Scheduling the appointment before you move avoids weeks of delay. A hard fingerprint card (FBI FD-258) can be mailed instead, but card-scan processing takes six to eight weeks.5Kentucky Board of Nursing. Background Checks – KBN
Submitting the Application
Reciprocity applications are filed through the Kentucky Board of Nursing Nurse Portal at kybn.boardsofnursing.org/kybn. Create an account, then select “State Registered Nurse Aide (SRNA) Reciprocity Application.” You upload the required documents directly inside the application.2Kentucky Board of Nursing. State Registered Nurse Aide – SRNA Reciprocity
Before you submit, confirm that your Social Security number, legal name, and certification details match across every document. Mismatched names between an ID and a Social Security card are one of the most common reasons applications get kicked back. If the board asks for more documentation after you submit, you can upload it through the portal or email it to kbn.knar@ky.gov.
KBN does not publish a set processing timeline. How fast your current state responds to the verification request and the volume in the queue both affect it. Plan for several weeks rather than days, especially if you sent fingerprints by mail.
After Approval
You will receive notification through the portal once your application is approved. Employers verify active status through the Board of Nursing License Verification Portal at kybn.boardsofnursing.org/licenselookup, which is searchable by name, license number, or NCSBN ID.6Kentucky Board of Nursing. Verification – KBN
One boundary to know: Kentucky does not appear to issue temporary work permits while a reciprocity application is under review. No KBN page mentions a grace period or provisional authorization, so plan on waiting for full approval before starting work at a Kentucky facility. If timing is tight, confirm directly with the board at kbn.knar@ky.gov.
Keeping Your Kentucky SRNA Certification Active
Active status lasts two years from the date it is granted and must be renewed before it expires.7Kentucky Board of Nursing. State Registered Nurse Aide – SRNA Renewal To renew, you need proof of at least eight hours of paid nurse aide employment performing nursing or nursing-related functions during each 24-month period. A pay stub, a W-2 from the previous year, or a signed and dated letter on official facility letterhead will satisfy this.
Renewals go through the same Nurse Portal.8Kentucky Board of Nursing. State Registered Nurse Aide Notify the Kentucky Nurse Aide Registry right away if your name or address changes so renewal notices reach you. Updates go to 312 Whittington Parkway, Suite 300-A, Louisville, KY 40222-5172. Reporting a change takes a couple of minutes; sorting out a lapsed registration takes much longer.