Step 2 of 6 - Qualifications for certification
Certification eligibility
To apply for certification, you must meet the practice (work experience) requirement described below.
Practice (work experience) requirement
To apply for certification, you must meet the following criteria for the Practice (Work Experience) Requirement: a minimum of four thousand (4,000) hours of active developmental disabilities nursing practice as a Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, or Licensed Vocational Nurse within the immediate previous 60 months (five years). Practice experience hours prior to this will not be considered.
The Practice (Work Experience) Requirement may be met with experience in the following roles:
- Practicing nurse in developmental disabilities in an institutional or community setting;
- Nurse administrator in a developmental disabilities program;
- Nurse educator in a developmental disabilities program;
- Nurse consultant in developmental disabilities;
- Nurse practicing in the expanded role in an I/DD institutional or community setting, including nurse practitioners.
Special circumstances
The diversified role of the nurse in all facets of developmental disabilities practice is recognized by DDNA, and nurses practicing in any role other than those listed above will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Consideration will be given to information submitted by the applicant (in job descriptions and program brochures) to verify that the experience meets the DDNA certification practice requirement.
Please note: Caring for a family member with I/DD in the home, whether paid or unpaid, does not meet the work experience hours requirement.