CCHT-A Recertification

CCHT-A
Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician - Advanced® (CCHT-A®)

Continuing competence is the ongoing ability of a nurse and those working under the nurse's direction to integrate and apply the knowledge, skills, judgment, and personal attributes required to practice safely and ethically.

To maintain competence and prevent professional obsolescence, the Board of Commissioners requires that each NNCC certificant participate in continuing education to refresh existing knowledge and skill and to acquire knowledge and proficiency pertaining to new advances as well as state of the art information over the full spectrum of nephrology.

The three-year time period established for recertification is based on both the scope of issues that face dialysis technicians and the Board’s belief that new practices, research, and information are introduced in the field with enough frequency that professional development activities should be conducted routinely so that certificants remain current with best practices and emerging knowledge.

Notification/Expiration

As a courtesy, the NNCC will send reminders approximately every 30 days starting 120 days prior to certification expiration. Ultimately it is the applicant's responsibility to obtain the necessary application form and submit it to the NNCC before the certification expiration date. The NNCC is not responsible for undelivered mail. A recertification application can be obtained here on the NNCC website or by calling 888.884.6622. Your completed application, appropriate forms, copies of supporting materials, and fee must be submitted at one time. The initial certification is effective for three years from the last day of the month in which the applicant passed the examination. Certification must be renewed every three years.

Continuing Education and Clinical Experience

If you elect the continuing education option, you must submit a recertification application with required documentation and the recertification fee. Applications for renewal of your CCHT-A by continuing education must be postmarked by the last day of the month in which your certification expires to avoid a late fee. All recertification eligibility requirements must be met during the three year certification period.

Download the Full Application

  • Applications for renewal of your CCHT-A by continuing education must be postmarked by the last day of the month in which your certification expires to avoid a late fee.
  • Applicant must have acquired 30 contact hours of approved continuing education in the previous three (3) years. A minimum of ten (10) contact hours must be nephrology specific:
    • Continuing education must be from the following sources:
      • Nursing continuing education programs
      • Independent study programs offering nursing contact hours
      • Academic credit
        • Includes all course work in academic programs leading to a health/science degree. It is not necessary that the course content be nephrology nursing concepts. This option may be used for only one recertification period.
        • Five contact hours will be assigned for one semester credit.
        • Three contact hours will be assigned for one quarter credit.
  • If you are a Preceptor for dialysis technicians, you may use preceptor hours towards your continuing education requirement. A maximum credit of 8-contact hour can be applied to 160 precepting hours during your 3-year certification period
  • Download the Preceptor Form

  • A minimum of 10 contact hours of the continuing education must be approved by one of the following:
    • Organizations accredited by the American Nurses' Credentialing Center - Commission on Accreditation (ANCC-COA) the credentialing body of the American Nurses Association.
    • The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).
    • The Council of Continuing Education.
    • Any State Board of Nursing
  • Continuing education certificates must include the following information:
    • Name of attendee
    • Date of program
    • Name of program
    • Number of contact hours awarded
    • Accreditation statement
  • You must retain all continuing education certificates and/or supporting documentation in personal files in order to demonstrate that the criteria have been met for recertification. This documentation is required in the event your application is randomly selected in an audit.
  • Recertification by Examination

    When seeking recertification by examination, all requirements for recertifying must be met with the exception of the submission of continuing education. Testing must be completed before the certification expiration date. An examination application and fee must be submitted by the deadline (eight weeks prior to the examination date). Applicants who choose the recertification by examination option will be notified of their scores by C-NET, the testing center, or immediately upon completion of a computer-based exam.

    Download the Exam Application

    Emeritus Status

    Nurses who have maintained an active credential, who are over 50 years of age, and who have retired from active practice may apply for emeritus status. To apply for the retired credential the certificant must complete the application for Emeritus Status (page 17 of this booklet) and submit a one time fee. If approved, the certificant may use the emeritus credential at nephrology functions to acknowledge a previous active credential and the accomplishments it signifies. If the certificant chooses to return to active practice and wishes to again hold the active credential, he/she must meet current eligibility criteria and certify by examination.

    Download the Emeritus Status Application

    All of the following eligibility requirements must be met:

    • The certificant must be a current Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician - Advanced (CCHT-A).
    • The certificant must have at least 3,000 hours of work experience as a dialysis technician during within the three (3) years of the current certification period.
    • Unless recertifiying by examination, the certificant must have acquired 30 contact hours of approved continuing education in the previous three (3) years. A minimum of ten (10) contact hours must be nephrology specific. Any contact hours claimed must be in compliance with the requirements stated in Recertification Options.

    Recertification application fees are non-refundable. Periodically fees are re-evaluated and adjustments may be made. Only NNCC Commissioners can authorize fee changes.

    Standard Fees

    Fee Name Amount
    Recert By Exam Fee
    $225
    Recert by Continuing Education Fee
    $100
    Exam Application Processing Fee (Non-refundable, included in exam fee)
    $50
    Expedited Review
    $50
    Late Fee
    $50
    Incomplete Application Fee
    $40
    Returned Check/Cancelled Payment Fee
    $30
    Duplicate Wallet Card or Certificate
    $25
    Certification Validation Letter (Except to State Boards of Nursing)
    $20

    Issuance of Certificate

    If approved for recertification, an updated wallet card with the new expiration date will be mailed within 60 days of the date the National Office receives the recertification application. Final receipt of an updated wallet card after recertification will depend upon actual date mailed, the recipient's mailing address, and postal delivery times. Replacements are available for a fee.

    As of January 2004, a wall certificate is issued only once. Wall certificates do not have an expiration date and will not be automatically reissued for subsequent recertifications.

    Keep Your Information Current

    It is the applicant's responsibility to notify the NNCC National Office of any changes in name, address, email, and phone number for the duration of their certification/recertification period. Notifications of changes on other mailing lists such as ANNA may not effect a change in your recertification records.