11/26/2025

Proposed NATCEP Rule Revisions Could Affect Providers That Employ Nursing Assistants

The Ohio Department of Health has released draft revisions to Chapter 3701-18, which governs the Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program. The proposal includes updates to the state-administered testing process and introduces new requirements for facility-based programs that proctor examinations. The changes are designed to align Ohio’s rules with recent statutory updates and to remove older regulatory language. Key implications include:

• Training program operations: Facilities that operate their own Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program may need to adjust curricula, administrative processes, and testing procedures to meet revised state requirements.
  
  
• Testing oversight responsibilities: The proposal introduces defined expectations for facilities that proctor the state competency exam. Because the department can rescind proctoring privileges if irregularities occur, providers will need strong internal controls and documentation practices.
  
  
• Impact on onboarding timelines: Changes to testing procedures—especially clarifications on successful test completion and substantially similar examinations—may affect how quickly candidates can complete certification and begin working.
  
  
• Coordination with education partners: Providers that rely on local schools or community-based programs for nurse aide training may see updates in reporting, communication, and testing workflows driven by the rule changes.
  
  
• Regulatory compliance readiness: Updated rules replace outdated language and incorporate recent statutory changes, which may require providers to review and revise policies, training manuals, and oversight protocols.

The full draft package, including new rules 3701-18-27 and 3701-18-27.1, is available in the department’s posted materials.

Members may submit comments by December 1 through the draft rule portal.