THE NIGHT BEFORE
Make the morning boring.
You have finished studying, and now your brain is looking for one more thing to worry about. Ask three questions: Where am I testing? Which IDs will I show? What does this format require? Answer those, set up what you can, and let the rest wait.
Plan the route and arrive 30 minutes early.
Run the system test and prepare a private room.
Use your Credentia account or call before the deadline.
FIRST, FOR BOTH FORMATS
Put your identification decision to bed.
Bring a signed, non-laminated U.S. Social Security card plus one approved photo ID. Together, those are the two current, unexpired, official, signature-bearing IDs Credentia requires. Read the current identification requirements ↗
Your name must match your examination application exactly, including suffixes, hyphens and other punctuation. Laminated cards and photocopies are not accepted.
If you are relying on a temporary North Carolina DMV document, an extended Class C license, or a military ID, read the exceptions on that official page before exam day. Do not assume another state's temporary document follows the same rule.
IF YOUR APPOINTMENT IS AT A TEST CENTER
Arrive early. Bring less.
The current test-center instructions say to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled exam time. At check-in, a Nurse Aide Evaluator scans your IDs and captures your photo. See Credentia's test-center instructions ↗
- Bring the required IDs described above.
- Bring an analog watch with a sweeping second hand. Digital watches and smartwatches are not allowed.
- Do not plan to take study aids, electronics or extra personal belongings into the testing room.
IF YOUR APPOINTMENT IS ONLINE WRITTEN OR ORAL
The room is part of the setup.
Credentia says online exams are monitored in real time by a live proctor through your webcam. You need a desktop, laptop or Chromebook with one monitor, plus a webcam. A smartphone or tablet is used for the 360-degree room scan and the ExamRoom AI 360 app; it is not the testing device. See Credentia's online exam instructions ↗
- Use a quiet, well-lit, private room with four walls and a door. No one else should be present; cover windows or glass completely.
- Before exam day, run the system test at Credentia online exams ↗ and make sure your IDs match the name on your application.
- On exam day, have your IDs ready, disconnect extra monitors, close unnecessary applications, plug in your devices and have your Credentia login ready.
- You may check in up to 30 minutes before your scheduled start time. From the Credentia NC page, choose Login, find the scheduled exam and choose Start Exam.
IF YOU MAY BE LATE OR NEED TO CHANGE IT
Do not wait for the morning.
For an online written or oral exam, Credentia says to cancel or reschedule at least 48 hours (2 days) before the scheduled date. For a test-center skills exam, its current scheduling page says 10 calendar days and says Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays are not counted. A separate current Credentia cancellation page says 10 business days for the skill exam. That wording difference matters, so if you may miss a skills appointment, use the current scheduling instructions ↗ and the current cancellation instructions ↗, then contact Credentia before counting on a deadline.
You can use your Credentia Platform account or call 888-204-6249. If you are late or do not attend, the official pages say you remain responsible for the fee, the fee is not refunded or transferred, and an unexcused absence counts as one of your three examination attempts. If something serious caused the absence, read the official absence policy promptly; it says an excused-absence request may be submitted within 14 calendar days for listed reasons and that Credentia makes the final decision.
IF YOU NEED AN ACCOMMODATION
Start before exam day.
Credentia describes reasonable accommodations for candidates with documented disabilities. Its current instructions ask for documentation from a qualified professional, a description of how the disability affects test-taking, and records of past accommodations when applicable. Requests are decided case by case. An accommodation is intended to provide access; Credentia says it is not a guarantee of improved performance or test completion. Read the accommodation instructions ↗
SOURCE REGISTER
Check the official page beside the claim.
Retrieved October 10, 2026. These are current public Credentia pages at the time of this check. The official page controls if a policy, fee, date or requirement changes.
- Proper Identifications — ID types, name matching, exceptions and consequences.
- Exam Day Test Center — arrival, check-in, watch and prohibited materials.
- Exam Day Online — equipment, room, system preparation and check-in.
- Registration and Scheduling — scheduling formats and accommodations.
- Cancelling and Rescheduling — current online/test-center timing and absence policy.
- Cancelling or Rescheduling Your Exam — the separate current wording for skills rescheduling.
- Credentia North Carolina test-taker portal — login and scheduled exam access.
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