§ 8-6A-01

§8–6A–01. IN EFFECT

(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b) “Applicant” means, unless the context requires otherwise:

(1) An individual applying for an initial certificate by examination or endorsement;

(2) A certificate holder applying for renewal of a certificate; or

(3) An individual applying for reinstatement of a certificate in accordance with § 8–6A–10 of this subtitle.

(c) (1) “Approved dialysis technician training program” means a course of training approved by the Board that:

(i) Prepares the applicant for national certification;

(ii) Meets the requirements of 42 C.F.R. § 494.140(e)(3); and

(iii) Meets the requirements set by the Board in regulation.

(2) “Approved dialysis technician training program” includes the courses required for national certification as:

(i) A Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician by the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission;

(ii) A Clinical Nephrology Technician by the National Nephrology Certification Organization; or

(iii) A Certified Hemodialysis Technician by the Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing Technology.

(d) “Approved medication technician training program” means a course of training approved by the Board that meets the basic medication technician core curriculum and the medication technician content training specific to the setting in which the medication technician will work.

(e) “Approved nursing assistant training program” means a course of training that meets the basic nursing assistant curriculum prescribed and approved by the Board.

(f) “Board” means the State Board of Nursing.

(g) “Certificate” means a certificate issued by the Board to practice as a certified nursing assistant, a certified dialysis technician, or a certified medication technician in the State.

(h) “Certificate holder” means a certified nursing assistant, dialysis technician, or medication technician who has:

(1) An active certificate;

(2) An inactive certificate;

(3) A temporary certificate;

(4) An expired temporary certificate;

(5) An expired certificate;

(6) A lapsed certificate;

(7) A suspended certificate; or

(8) A certificate subject to a reprimand, probation, or suspension.

(i) “Certified dialysis technician” means an individual who:

(1) Has completed a Board–approved dialysis technician program; and

(2) Is certified by the Board as a dialysis technician.

(j) “Certified medication technician” means an individual who:

(1) Has completed a Board–approved medication technician training program;

(2) Is certified by the Board as a medication technician; and

(3) Subject to regulations adopted by the Board, routinely performs:

(i) Nursing tasks related to the administration of medication, delegated by a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or advanced practice nurse; or

(ii) Technical tasks related to the administration of medication delegated by a licensed certified midwife.

(k) “Certified medicine aide” means a certified nursing assistant who has completed a Board–approved course in medication administration.

(l) “Certified nursing assistant”:

(1) Means an individual regardless of title who, for compensation and subject to regulations adopted by the Board, routinely performs:

(i) Nursing tasks delegated by a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or advanced practice registered nurse; or

(ii) Technical tasks delegated by a licensed certified midwife; and

(2) Does not include a certified dialysis technician or a certified medication technician.

(m) “Department” means the Maryland Department of Health.

(n) “Expired certificate” means a certificate that was not renewed before the expiration date of the certificate as established under § 8–6A–08(a) of this title.

(o) “Geriatric nursing assistant” means a certified nursing assistant who has successfully completed the requirements for geriatric nursing assistant mandated under federal law and the regulations of the Board.

(p) “Lapsed certificate” means a certificate that was not renewed because a certificate holder failed to renew the certificate or otherwise did not meet the renewal requirements of this subtitle.

§8–6A–01. ** TAKES EFFECT APRIL 1, 2026 PER CHAPTER 416 OF 2025**

(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b) “Applicant” means, unless the context requires otherwise:

(1) An individual applying for an initial certificate by examination or endorsement;

(2) A certificate holder applying for renewal of a certificate; or

(3) An individual applying for reinstatement of a certificate in accordance with § 8–6A–10 of this subtitle.

(c) “Approved acute care nursing assistant training program” means a course of training that meets the acute care nursing assistant curriculum approved by the Board.

(d) (1) “Approved dialysis technician training program” means a course of training approved by the Board that:

(i) Prepares the applicant for national certification;

(ii) Meets the requirements of 42 C.F.R. § 494.140(e)(3); and

(iii) Meets the requirements set by the Board in regulation.

(2) “Approved dialysis technician training program” includes the courses required for national certification as:

(i) A Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician by the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission;

(ii) A Clinical Nephrology Technician by the National Nephrology Certification Organization; or

(iii) A Certified Hemodialysis Technician by the Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing Technology.

(e) “Approved medication technician training program” means a course of training approved by the Board that meets the basic medication technician core curriculum and the medication technician content training specific to the setting in which the medication technician will work.

(f) “Approved nursing assistant training program” means a course of training that:

(1) Meets the requirements under federal and State law; and

(2) Is approved by the Board.

(g) “Board” means the State Board of Nursing.

(h) “Certificate” means a certificate issued by the Board to practice as a certified nursing assistant, a certified dialysis technician, or a certified medication technician in the State.

(i) “Certificate holder” means a certified nursing assistant, dialysis technician, or medication technician who has:

(1) An active certificate;

(2) An inactive certificate;

(3) A temporary certificate;

(4) An expired temporary certificate;

(5) An expired certificate;

(6) A lapsed certificate;

(7) A suspended certificate; or

(8) A certificate subject to a reprimand, probation, or suspension.

(j) “Certified dialysis technician” means an individual who:

(1) Has completed a Board–approved dialysis technician program; and

(2) Is certified by the Board as a dialysis technician.

(k) “Certified medication technician” means an individual who:

(1) Has completed a Board–approved medication technician training program;

(2) Is certified by the Board as a medication technician; and

(3) Subject to regulations adopted by the Board, routinely performs:

(i) Nursing tasks related to the administration of medication, delegated by a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or advanced practice nurse; or

(ii) Technical tasks related to the administration of medication delegated by a licensed certified midwife.

(l) “Certified medicine aide” means a certified nursing assistant who:

(1) Has completed a Board–approved course in medication administration; and

(2) Is certified as a medicine aide by the Board.

(m) (1) “Certified nursing assistant” means an individual regardless of title who, for compensation and subject to regulations adopted by the Board, routinely performs:

(i) Nursing tasks delegated by a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or advanced practice registered nurse; or

(ii) Technical tasks delegated by a licensed certified midwife.

(2) “Certified nursing assistant” does not include a certified dialysis technician or a certified medication technician.

(n) (1) “Certified nursing assistant–I” means a certified nursing assistant who meets the requirements set by the Board and under federal law to practice in any setting.

(2) “Certified nursing assistant–I” includes:

(i) A certified nursing assistant who was certified as a geriatric nursing assistant on March 31, 2026;

(ii) A certified medicine aide; and

(iii) A certified nursing assistant who is approved under § 8–6A–05(c)(5) of this subtitle.

(o) “Certified nursing assistant–II” means a certified nursing assistant:

(1) Who, on March 31, 2026, was certified as a nursing assistant and was not authorized to practice in a nursing facility or skilled nursing facility; and

(2) Whose authority to practice in a nursing facility or skilled nursing facility continues to be restricted because the certified nursing assistant has not been approved as a certified nursing assistant–I under § 8–6A–05(c)(5) of this subtitle.

(p) “Department” means the Maryland Department of Health.

(q) “Expired certificate” means a certificate that was not renewed before the expiration date of the certificate as established under § 8–6A–08(a) of this title.

(r) “Lapsed certificate” means a certificate that was not renewed because a certificate holder failed to renew the certificate or otherwise did not meet the renewal requirements of this subtitle.

(s) “Nursing assistant competency evaluation” means an examination approved by the Board that:

(1) Determines the competency of the individual to practice as a certified nursing assistant–I; and

(2) Meets the requirements under federal law.