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The dialysis technician represents a critical component of the patient care team because of their many responsibilities and the large amount of time they spend with patients. While a technician may not possess the same level of advanced education as that of other personnel, they are held to the same high standards of professionalism found in other medical specialties. To promote quality care, the CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) requires those working in this field to obtain dialysis technician certification.

According to new government legislation (§ 494.140), patient care qualifications include certification by a state or national certification program available to newly employed patient care technicians within eighteen months of hire as a dialysis patient care technician or for patient care technicians employed on October 14th, 2008 within 18 months after that date. This means that anyone who is considering a career as a technician in this profession will be required to complete a certification exam in order to provide direct patient care.

Dialysis Technician Certification Exams

There are a number of national organizations that offer certification exams to dialysis technicians. While some states create their own exams, most states depend on national organizations to conduct technician competency assessment. In most cases, the dialysis clinic where an individual receives training will advise new technicians about the exam that they require. The federal government does not favor one certification exam over another and allows employers to make their own decisions as to which exam is most appropriate for the clinic that they are responsible for.

The following are the three most common organizations…

Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC)

This organization was established to help promote patient safety and improve quality of care. The NNCC has been around since 1987 and works closely with the Center for Nursing Education and Testing (C-NET) to develop, administer, and evaluate dialysis technician certification exams. In addition, the NNCC works with the American Nephrology Nurses’ Association (ANNA) to conduct promotional activities and advertise the certification options that they offer. The NNCC is also a charter member of the American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) which maintains a national peer reviews program.

Exams offered by the NNCC include the following…

• Certified Dialysis Nurse – Applicants must have a full and unrestricted license as a registered nurse in order to take this exam. In addition, individuals must have 2000 hours of experience caring for dialysis patients and have 15 contact hours of continuing education in nephrology nursing within two years of the submission of the application. Continuing education must be completed through approved organizations. The exam contains 200 questions that must be completed within four hours. The minimum passing score is 70% and the fee is $350.
  • Application
  • Test Blueprint
  • Test Specifications
• Certified Dialysis LPN/LVN – Applicants must have a full and unrestricted license as an LPN or LVN in the United States in order to take this dialysis technician certification exam. In addition, individuals must have 2000 hours and two years of experience working with dialysis patients as an LPN or LVN. This exam also requires 15 contact hours of continuing education relevant to dialysis patient care and completed through approved organizations. The exam contains 150 questions that must be completed within three hours. The minimum passing score is 70% and the fee is $250.
  • Application
  • Test Blueprint
  • Test Specifications
• Certified Nephrology Nurse – Applicants are required to have a full and unrestricted license as a registered nurse in the US in order to take this exam. Also, individuals must have a minimum of 3000 hours of nursing experience as a registered nurse in a clinical, administrative, teaching, or research capacity over the past three years. In addition, applicants must have a Baccalaureate in Nursing or a Master’s in Nursing Degree. Individuals must also have completed 30 hours of continuing education in nephrology nursing during the previous 3 years through an approved organization. The exam contains 200 questions that must be completed within four hours. The minimum passing score is 70% and the fee is $350.
  • Application
  • Test Blueprint
  • Test Specifications
• Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician – Applicants are required to have a high school diploma or GED to become eligible to take this dialysis technician certification exam. In addition, individuals have to complete a technician training program that includes classroom instruction and clinical experience, submit information about their training, and comply with all state and federal regulations. The exam contains 150 questions that must be completed within three hours. The minimum passing score is 70% and the fee is $225.
  • Application
  • Test Blueprint
  • Test Specifications
• Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (Advanced) – Applicants must have a minimum of five years of employment as a clinical hemodialysis technician and at least 5000 hours of experience. Individuals must also have 30 hours of continuing education relevant to the practice of a hemodialysis technician during the previous three years through an approved organization. Also, applicants must have current certification as a CCHT, CHT, or CCNT. The exam contains 150 questions that must be completed in three hours. The minimum passing score is 70% and the fee is $250.
  • Application
  • Test Blueprint
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• Certified Nephrology Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) – Applicants must have a full and unrestricted license as a registered nurse in the United States and be certified as a nurse practitioner in order to take this dialysis technician certification exam. Individuals must also possess at least 2000 hours of experience as a nurse practitioner working in nephrology within the last 2 years. In addition, applicants must at least have a master’s degree in nursing and 60 hours of continuing education in nephrology completed over the last two years and offered through an approved organization. The exam contains 175 questions that must be completed in four hours. The minimum passing score is 75% and the fee is $375.
  • Application
  • Test Blueprint
  • Test Specifications

Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology (BONENT)

This organization was formed in 1974 and is highly regarded for technician competency assessment. BONENT strives to improve the quality of patient care in the US and around the world. BONENT has also taken an active role in policy creation through attempts to have a positive influence on legislative and regulatory actions taken by state and federal governments. Members of this organization are responsible for working on committees, administering examinations, and voting in elections.

Exams offered by BONENT include the following…

• Certified Hemodialysis Technologist/Technician – Applicants must have either a high school diploma or a GED and are required to submit official transcripts. Individuals must also have at least 1 year of experience in nephrology patient care along with the successful completion of an approved training program. Also, two signed letters of recommendation are required. The exam consists of 150 questions that must be completed in three hours. The paper and pencil exam costs $210 while the computer exam costs $240.
  • Application
• Certified Hemodialysis Nurse – Applicants must be either an RN with a valid license and at least one year of experience or LPN/LVN with a valid license and 2 years of experience in dialysis patient care. 2 letters of recommendation are also required along with a completed application. The exam consists of 150 questions that must be completed in three hours. The paper exam costs $210 while the computer exam costs $240.
  • Application
• Certified Peritoneal Dialysis Nurse – Applicants must be either an RN with a valid license and at least one year of experience or LPN/LVN with a valid license and at least two years of experience in order to take this dialysis technician certification examination. Two letters of recommendation are also required along with the application and proof of current employment. The exam consists of 150 questions that must be completed in three hours. The paper exam costs $210 while the computer exam costs $240.
  • Application

National Nephrology Certification Organizations (NNCO)

This organization was registered in 1998 as a non-profit entity in the state of California. The role of the NNCO is to help advance standards that affect technicians through the creation and administration of exams. The NNCO has contracts with Professional Testing Corporation (PTC) to ensure that their mechanisms and procedures meet the standards recommended by the National Organization for Competency Assurance and the American National Standards Institute. 

Dialysis technician certification exams offered by NNCO include the following…

• Certification Examination in Clinical Nephrology Technology (CCNT) – Applicants must have either a high school diploma, GED, or four years of experience in nephrology tech. In addition, individuals are required to complete a 1 year training program in nephrology tech or a combination of training and experience that last for at least one year. The fee for the exam is $245.
  • Application
• Certification Examination in Biomedical Nephrology Technology (CBNT) – The eligibility requirements and fee for this exam are the same as those for the Certification Examination in Clinical Nephrology Technology listed above.
  • Application

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