The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has announced a new process for completing the required pre-employment Nurse Aide Registry verification for home health agencies and other providers.

Effective today, July 20, 2026, employers should begin using DPH's Check-A-License website to complete the required pre-employment Nurse Aide Registry verification. The current Nurse Aide Registry Inquiry System (NARIS) will be permanently disabled on Friday, July 31, 2026.

Although NARIS will remain available through July 31, DPH is directing providers to begin using the new system immediately.

What agencies need to know

• Begin using Check-A-License now for required pre-employment Nurse Aide Registry searches.
• NARIS will no longer be available after July 31, 2026.
• Save the timestamped PDF generated by the Check-A-License search and retain it in the employee's personnel file with the required CORI documentation.

Why the change?

According to DPH, Check-A-License offers several advantages:

• Real-time information (no 24-hour delay in displaying registry updates)
• No user account or special access required
• Ability to search all Massachusetts health care licenses held by an individual
• Easier access through a public website

A few important reminders

• The Nurse Aide Registry is not being eliminated. Only the Nurse Aide Registry Inquiry System (NARIS) is being discontinued. Employers will now access registry information through Check-A-License.
• Home health aides who are not Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs) generally will not appear in Check-A-License unless DPH has substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, mistreatment, or misappropriation.

Click here for the DPH memorandum for your reference.

Please contact the Home Care Alliance if you have any questions regarding this change