(1) The department shall grant a registration to engage in practice as a nurse aide to an applicant who meets all of the following requirements:

    (a) Submits an application on a form and in a manner prescribed by the department.

    (b) Pays the fee prescribed in section 21919.

    (c) Subject to subsection (4), demonstrates to the department that the applicant has met both of the following:

    (i) Successfully completed a nurse aide training program approved by the department.

    (ii) Is competent as demonstrated by successful completion of a nurse aide competency examination approved by the department.

    (d) Meets the requirements for registration in rules promulgated under section 21923.

    (2) The department shall grant a permit as a nurse aide trainer to an applicant who meets all of the following requirements:

    (a) Submits an application on a form and in a manner prescribed by the department.

    (b) Pays the fee prescribed in section 21919.

    (c) Is a registered professional nurse licensed under article 15 who meets the requirements of 42 CFR 483.152(a)(5)(i) and (ii), or who meets the requirements for a permit in rules promulgated under section 21923.

    (3) The department shall grant a permit as a nurse aide training program to an applicant that meets all of the following requirements:

    (a) Submits an application on a form and in a manner prescribed by the department.

    (b) Pays the fee prescribed in section 21919.

    (c) Meets the requirements for a permit in 42 CFR 483.152 and in rules promulgated under section 21923.

    (d) Demonstrates to the department that the applicant's curriculum is consistent with other nurse aide training programs as provided by rules promulgated by the department under this part.

    (4) Except as provided under subsection (6), the department shall allow an applicant to complete a nurse aide competency examination online or through remote means, or at a nursing care facility that proctors the examination under 42 CFR 483.154. The department shall allow the testing vendor to contract with the staff of the nursing care facility to proctor a nurse aide competency examination as provided under 42 CFR 483.154.

    (5) Subject to subsection (6), the department shall not deny a person a permit under subsection (3) solely because the nurse aide training program allows individuals to complete curricula online or through remote means, or counts the time an individual has worked performing skills necessary of a nurse aide as time in training.

    (6) The online option described under subsections (4) and (5) does not apply to training required under 42 CFR 483.152(a)(3) or to testing required under 42 CFR 483.154(b)(2).