NCSBN Raises Passing Standard for the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP(R)) Exam

CHICAGO, IL–(Marketwire – August 18, 2010) –  The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN^® )(www.ncsbn.org) is raising the passing standard for the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP^®) Written and Oral Examination. The new passing standard is 1.57 logits, 0.24 logits higher than the current standard of 1.33 logits. The new passing standard will take effect on Jan. 1, 2011.

The updated passing standard was set during a standard-setting workshop, held April 21-22, 2010. A panel of 10 registered nurses (RNs) representing a variety of practice settings across the country volunteered as subject matter experts (SMEs) for the workshop. After consideration of all available information, the SMEs determined that safe and effective certified entry-level nurse aide/nursing assistant (NA) work requires a greater level of knowledge, skills and abilities than was required in 2006, when the current standard was implemented. The passing standard was increased in response to changes in U.S. health care delivery that have resulted in a wider range of knowledge required by certified entry-level NAs to perform their authorized duties. The SMEs used multiple sources of information, including the results of a criterion-reference standard-setting workshop, to guide their evaluation and discussion regarding the change in passing standard.

In accordance with contractual agreements with client jurisdictions, NCSBN is responsible for evaluating the passing standard of NNAAP every five years to protect the public by assuring minimal competence for entry-level certified NAs. NCSBN coordinates the passing standard analysis with the five-year cycle of test plan evaluation. This five-year cycle was developed to keep the test plan and passing standard current and reflective of entry-level work expectations for certified NAs. The 2011 NNAAP^® Examination Test Plan/Test Specifications Report is available to download free of charge at www.ncsbn.org/2011_NNAAP_Test_Plan-Test_Specifications_Report_links.pdf.

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN^®) is a not-for-profit organization whose members include the boards of nursing in the 50 states, the District of Columbia and four U.S. territories — American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands. There are also seven associate members.

Mission: NCSBN provides education, service and research through collaborative leadership to promote regulatory excellence for patient safety and public protection.

The statements and opinions expressed are those of NCSBN and not the individual member state or territorial boards of nursing.

National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc.
111 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 2900
Chicago, IL 60601-4277