An individual that completed a training program: Student Nurse: Graduate Nurse, has not taken Boards: Graduate Nurse, did not pass Boards: Nurse Aide certified in another state: How To Get Certified As a CNAWhile requirements differ by state, prospective CNAs should be prepared to complete a state-approved CNA program at an accredited institution before going through the process of becoming certified. Approved programs meet the standards set forth by the state and other governing bodies, ensuring that a student receives the proper knowledge and skills to become licensed and provide patient care. Upon program completion, students will need to check their state's certification requirements to make sure they have fulfilled them all; these requirements will include a minimum number of CNA training/clinical hours, which the student should have completed in their program. They will also need to submit a CNA certification application, pay any applicable fees, and complete fingerprinting/background checks. It's important to note that CNA program grads will usually need to submit their certification application within a set timeframe once training has been completed. Find out more about the CNA training process. CNA Certification ExamOnce students have successfully completed their CNA training and submitted the proper paperwork, they will need to sit for their state's CNA certification examination. The exam consists of two parts: the written or oral portion (delivered in a group format) and the clinical skills portion (delivered one-on-one). The written exam is typically administered through a third-party test proctor and contains multiple-choice questions covering topics such as medical terminology, CNA roles and responsibilities, anatomy and physiology, and more. The clinical skills exam is usually proctored by a nurse or other practitioner, who will ask the test-taker to demonstrate a handful of skills such as hand-washing, measuring and recording a pulse, and other tasks (the proctor will choose from a list of over 20). CNA License & Certification RenewalsCNA certification typically lasts for 2 years. The certification is renewable upon submission of a renewal form and fee as long as the CNA has maintained employment during this time (the exact number of employment hours to be eligible will differ by state). If the CNA does not meet the renewal criteria, and their certification has not been expired for longer than 2 years, some states will allow a renewal via a competency exam. If the CNA's certification has been expired for many years, or they are otherwise ineligible for renewal, they will need to enroll in a CNA program and apply for a new license. To find out more information on your state’s specific CNA certification and licensing guidelines, please follow the links below: Alabama CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Alabama Department of Public Health Certified Nurse Aide Registry Alaska CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Alaska Nurse Aide Registry Arizona CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Arizona State Board of Nursing Arkansas CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Arkansas Department of Human Services Office of Long Term Care California CNA Certification Requirements
Link: California Department of Public Health Colorado CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Colorado Board of Nursing Connecticut CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Connecticut State Department of Public Health Delaware CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Delaware Division of Health Care Quality Florida CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Florida Board of Nursing Georgia CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Georgia Nurse Aide System Hawaii CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Professional & Vocational Licensing Idaho CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Illinois CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Illinois Department of Public Health Indiana CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Indiana State Department of Health Iowa CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Iowa Department of Inspections & Appeals Kansas CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services Kentucky CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services 404 Louisiana CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Louisiana Department of Health Maine CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Maine Registry of Certified Nursing Assistants & Direct Care Workers Maryland CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Maryland Board of Nursing Massachusetts CNA Certifiation Requirements
Link: Massachusetts Nurse Aide Registry Program Michigan CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Michigan Nurse Aide Registry Minnesota CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry Mississippi CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Mississippi State Department of Health Missouri CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services Montana CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Montana Nurse Aide Registry Nebraska CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Nevada CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Nevada State Board of Nursing New Hampshire CNA Certification Requirements
Link: New Hampshire Board of Nursing New Jersey CNA Certification Requirements
Link: New Jersey Department of Health New Mexico CNA Certification Requirements
Link: New Mexico Department of Health Certified Nurse Aide Registry New York CNA Certification Requirements
Link: New York State Department of Health Nurse Aide Registry North Carolina CNA Certification Requirements
Link: North Carolina Nurse Aide Registry North Dakota CNA Certification Requirements
Link: North Dakota Nurse Aide Registry Ohio CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Ohio Department of Health Nurse Aide Registry Oklahoma CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Oklahoma Nurse Aide Registry Oregon CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Oregon State Board of Nursing Pennsylvania CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Pennsylvania Department of Health Nurse Aide Registry Rhode Island CNA Certification Requirements
Link: State of Rhode Island Department of Health South Carolina CNA Certification Requirements
Link: South Carolina Bureau of Long Term Care and Behavioral Health Services South Dakota CNA Certification Requirements
Link: South Dakota Board of Nursing Tennessee CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Tennessee Department of Health Texas CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Texas Health and Human Services Nurse Aide Registry Utah CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Utah Nursing Assistant Registry Vermont CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Vermont Secretary of State Virginia CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Virginia Board of Nursing Washington CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Washington State Department of Health Washington DC CNA Certification Requirements
Link: DC Health West Virginia CNA Certification Requirements
Link: West Virginia Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification
Wisconsin CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Wisconsin Department of Health Services Wyoming CNA Certification Requirements
Link: Wyoming State Board of Nursing CNA FAQsRules and standards for renewing expired CNA certifications will vary from state to state. In California, for example, if your certification is more than two years expired, or it is more than two years since you have worked as a Certified Nurse Assistant, you are required to have 24 hours of continuing education as well as sit for a Competency Evaluation. Check with your state’s governing board for the requirements on renewals. Many nursing students find value in working as a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) during nursing school to add to their basic care and time-management skills. Most employers will allow nursing students to bypass the requirement of being certified, but check the job announcements for these allowances. Many states will allow those with nursing education and background to sit for the examination without taking an official CNA course. Check with your local state certifying board for details. Enrollment in an accredited BSN program and completion of foundational nursing skills coursework may qualify the student for certification as a CNA. Depending on the state-specific Board of Nursing regulations, BSN students may apply for CNA certification and listing on the state Nurse Aide Registry. Some states require that students sit for a CNA registry exam regardless of enrollment in an accredited nursing program, while other states accept completion of nursing courses as verification of skills testing. How old are most CNAs?87.7% of all certified nursing assistants are women, while 12.3% are men. The average age of an employed certified nursing assistant is 41 years old.
Can you be a CNA at 16 in Texas?How to Become a CNA in Texas. To start a CNA training program, you need to be at least 18 years old. There is no minimum education requirement for nurse aides such as a high school diploma or a GED. Trainees with specific criminal convictions will not be allowed to practice as a CNA.
Can you be a CNA at 16 in Iowa?It is easy to apply to the Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Career Pathway Certificate program! Simply follow the steps below to complete the application and assessment process: Meet the minimum age requirement of 16 years. Register by phone or submit your registration online.
Can you be a CNA at 17 in Florida?The Florida Board of Nursing establishes the requirements for CNAs to become certified in the state. To start a CNA training program, you need to be at least 18 years old, or have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
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