Start Your Healthcare Career Before High School Graduation! 🎓💙
New NHA Provisional Certification Opportunities for High School, GED, and HSED Students
You don't have to wait until graduation to start building your future in healthcare!
At Trinity Allied Healthcareer Academy, we believe every student deserves an opportunity to build a brighter future. Whether you're attending high school, preparing to graduate, or working toward your GED or HSED, your healthcare career may be closer than you think!
Thanks to exciting changes announced by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), eligible students can take national healthcare certification exams before earning their high school diploma or equivalency credential.
And beginning October 1, 2026, students have even more flexibility to complete their educational requirements while holding provisional certification.
💙 What Is an NHA Provisional Certification?
Let's make it simple!
An NHA Provisional Certification is a temporary healthcare credential that allows eligible students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills before receiving their high school diploma, GED, or HSED.
Here's the difference:
Provisional Certification: You've passed your NHA exam, but you still need to finish high school or earn your GED/HSED.
Full Certification: You've passed your NHA exam, earned your diploma or equivalency credential, and completed all remaining NHA requirements.
The best part? Eligible students don't have to wait until they graduate to demonstrate their healthcare knowledge!
🩺 Four Healthcare Career Pathways at Trinity
Trinity offers training opportunities that prepare students for the following NHA certifications:
Healthcare Program | NHA Credential | Provisional Period |
🩺 Medical Assisting | CCMA | 18 months |
🩸 Phlebotomy Technician | CPT | 18 months |
❤️ EKG Technician | CET | 18 months |
💊 Pharmacy Technician | ExCPT | 12 months |
These updated provisional periods apply to qualifying exams passed on or after October 1, 2026.
Important: The provisional period begins on the date you pass your NHA exam, not when you enroll in a training program.
🎓 What If I'm Still in High School?
Imagine you're a high school junior or senior interested in healthcare.
Instead of waiting until graduation, you may be able to:
Enroll in an eligible healthcare training program.
Complete the required classroom and hands-on training.
Pass your NHA certification examination.
Receive provisional certification while finishing high school.
Submit proof of graduation and meet NHA's remaining requirements to convert to full certification.
Example:
A high school student passes the Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) exam on November 1, 2026.
Under the new NHA policy, the student receives an 18-month provisional certification period, ending around May 1, 2028.
If the student graduates and completes the conversion requirements before the deadline, the credential can be converted to full certification.
That means the student can work toward graduation and healthcare career readiness at the same time!
📚 What If I'm Working Toward My GED or HSED?
Great news! Provisional certification opportunities may also be available to eligible individuals who are actively completing their GED or HSED.
In Wisconsin, the HSED (High School Equivalency Diploma) is another recognized pathway to completing high school equivalency requirements.
For students balancing education, family responsibilities, employment, or other commitments, provisional certification may provide an opportunity to continue working toward a diploma while pursuing healthcare training.
Example:
A student enrolled in a qualifying GED/HSED pathway passes the Medical Assisting (CCMA) examination on December 1, 2026.
The new provisional certification period is 18 months, potentially lasting until June 1, 2028.
However, students must satisfy NHA's eligibility rules at the time of testing. NHA's currently published eligibility guidance continues to reference an expectation that students will earn their diploma or high school equivalency within 12 months of the exam.
Because NHA has also announced an extended 18-month provisional period, students should confirm their individual eligibility and graduation timeline with NHA before scheduling an examination.
Remember: The provisional certification period and the eligibility requirements for when you expect to graduate are not necessarily the same thing.
⏰ Don't Miss Your Certification Deadline!
Here are three important things every student should understand:
1. Your certification clock starts when you pass your exam.
It does not start on your first day of class.
2. Your provisional certification is temporary.
Most covered certifications now have an 18-month period, while Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT) has a 12-month period.
3. You must convert your credential before it expires.
Once you've earned your high school diploma, GED, or recognized HSED, submit the required documentation to NHA and satisfy all remaining certification requirements.
Provisional certifications cannot simply be renewed like full certifications. Missing the deadline may require retesting under NHA's applicable rules.
🌟 Why Should High School and GED/HSED Students Consider Healthcare Training?
Healthcare training can help you:
✅ Develop practical, career-focused healthcare skills.
✅ Build confidence before entering the workforce.
✅ Prepare for nationally recognized certification exams.
✅ Strengthen your resume and future employment opportunities.
✅ Explore healthcare careers while completing your education.
✅ Work toward additional healthcare education and career advancement.
An important reminder: Provisional certification does not automatically guarantee employment. Certain positions may require full certification, a high school diploma or equivalency, a minimum age, or other employer and state requirements.
🤝 Opportunities for High Schools and Workforce Development Programs
Trinity Allied Healthcareer Academy welcomes conversations with:
High schools and career and technical education (CTE) programs
GED and HSED education providers
WIOA youth and adult workforce programs
Wisconsin FSET and employment service providers
Career planners, case managers, and community organizations
Our goal is to help eligible students connect their educational goals with healthcare career training opportunities.
Whether someone is preparing for high school graduation or working toward an equivalency credential, we believe education and workforce readiness can go hand in hand.
💙 Your Future in Healthcare Can Start Here!
Your journey doesn't have to look like everyone else's.
You might be a high school student exploring your first career, a young adult completing your HSED, or someone returning to education after taking a different path.
At Trinity Allied Healthcareer Academy, we believe your next step matters more than where you started.
Students today. Healthcare professionals tomorrow!
📞 Explore Healthcare Training at Trinity
Trinity Allied Healthcareer Academy
📍 2140 S. 55th Street, West Allis, WI 53219
📞 (414) 998-0958
Ready to explore your options? Contact Trinity to learn about available programs, upcoming classes, and certification preparation opportunities.
Faith in Action. Knowledge for Life. Skills for Service.
*Certification information updated October 2026. Eligibility, testing, documentation, and conversion requirements are established by the National Healthcareer Association and may change. Students should verify their specific eligibility directly with NHA before registering for an examination. Wisconsin laws and employer requirements may impose additional conditions.
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