Your credentialing checklist: what to have ready before your first shift

Credentialing is the step between applying and picking up your first shift. It's how a staffing company confirms that you're licensed, qualified, and cleared to care for patients and residents. It can feel like paperwork for its own sake, but it protects the people you care for, the facilities you work in, and you.

The good news is that most of it happens once. Gather everything below before you start, and the process goes much faster.

The checklist

Requirements vary by state, by role, and sometimes by facility, so treat this as a starting point.

• Your license or certification. Your CNA certification, CMT/med aide credential, LPN/LVN license, or RN license. Make sure it's active and in good standing.
• Government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, state ID, or passport. It should be current, and the name should match your license.
• CPR/BLS card. Your Basic Life Support certification, current and not about to expire. Check both sides of the card, since some information may be on the back. ACLS is required for some roles and settings; if it applies to you, have that card ready too.
• TB test results. Tuberculosis screening is standard in healthcare. Depending on the requirement, that may be a skin test, a two-step skin test, or a blood test. Have your most recent result, with the date clearly shown.
• Immunization records. Commonly requested records in healthcare include flu, hepatitis B, MMR, varicella (chickenpox), and Tdap, but what's required depends on the state and the facility. If you can't find your records, your doctor's office, your pharmacy, or your state's immunization registry may be able to help.
• A physical. A recent physical exam from a medical provider.
• Anything else your state or facility requires. Some states and facilities ask for additional documents. You'll be told what applies to you.

NurseStat also runs background checks to meet state requirements, so be ready to provide the personal information that involves.

Tips that keep things moving

Keep your name consistent. The name on your ID, license, CPR card, and health records should match. If your name has changed, check that your state board has your current name on file, and keep documentation that connects the two. Mismatched names can slow verification down.

Watch your expiration dates. Write down when each item expires: your license, CPR/BLS card, TB test, and anything else with a date on it. Renew early. Some renewals, like a CPR class, have to be scheduled ahead of time.

Upload clear copies. Take photos in good light, on a flat surface, with all four corners visible and no glare. A blurry or cropped image usually means doing it over.

Keep your own copies. Save everything in one folder on your phone or computer. You'll want these documents again at renewal time.

Be upfront. If something on your record needs explaining, say so early. A straightforward answer moves faster than a surprise.

How NurseStat verifies your credentials

Here's what happens after you upload:

• Your license is verified with the issuing state board, not just checked against the copy you uploaded. Licenses are re-checked every year.
• Background checks are run to meet state requirements.
• You upload your documents once. After that, the focus is on keeping them current.

What blocks booking

Some documents have to stay current for you to keep working. If your license, TB test, or CPR card expires, you won't be able to book shifts until it's renewed. That protects residents, and it protects you from working without a valid credential.

You shouldn't be caught off guard. The NurseStat app and team send reminders before things expire. When you get one, schedule your renewal right away and get the renewed document to NurseStat as soon as you have it.

A quick pre-flight check

Before you submit, run through this list:

• Is every document current, with no expiration coming up soon?
• Does the name match across all of them?
• Is every image clear and complete, front and back where needed?
• Do you know which extra documents your state or facility requires?

If you can answer yes to all four, you're in good shape.

Ready to get started?

With your documents together, you're most of the way there. Apply to NurseStat, learn more on our credentialing page, or browse the FAQ. Questions about a specific document? Call or text (859) 748-9600, seven days a week.