Dialysis Technicians

Certification or Licensing

In most states, dialysis technicians are not required to be registered, certified, or licensed. However, several states, such as California, Nebraska, and New Mexico, do require practicing dialysis technicians to have certification; in addition, a growing number of states are considering legislation to make certification mandatory. In some states, technicians are required to pass a test before they can work with patients. You will need to check with your state's department of health or licensing board to determine specific requirements for your area.

The Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing Technology offers voluntary certification programs (e.g., certified hemodialysis technologist/technician, certified hemodialysis bio-medical technician). The Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission offers the certified clinical hemodialysis technician, certified clinical hemodialysis technician-advanced, and other certification credentials. The programs' purposes are to identify safe, competent practitioners, to promote excellence in the quality of care available to kidney patients, and encourage study and advance the science of nursing and technological fields in nephrology. These organizations hope that eventually all dialysis technicians will be certified.