As of 2026, federal regulations for nursing home COVID-19 testing have shifted away from routine staff screening toward a focus on symptomatic testing and outbreak management, with the federal vaccination mandate for staff officially repealed. While routine asymptomatic testing is no longer required, facilities must still adhere to CDC infection control guidelines and report data to the NHSN. For more details, visit AHCA/NCAL Blog . QSO-20-38-NH REVISED 09/23/2022 EXPIRED EFFECTIVE - CMS