CNA Certification Requirements

Many healthcare professionals begin their entry-level careers as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA).

As a CNA, you’ll help senior nurses provide direct patient care to residents in nursing homes and long-term care facilities.

So to ensure that you can safely provide such service, you’ll need to acquire the appropriate training and certification.

Read on to learn the requirements for how you can become a CNA in your state.

How to Get Certified as a CNA

When it comes to the certification of nursing assistants, every state adheres to the regulations stated in OBRA.

And so, at a minimum, a CNA candidate will need to meet the following requirements:

• Complete a state-approved CNA training program
• Pass the state’s competency evaluation exam

Once you receive your certification, you have to renew it every two years to maintain your designation.

CNA Training Program

To be a CNA, you have to enroll in a state-approved CNA training program at an accredited institution.

Generally, this is offered by the following institutions:

• Community colleges
• Technical and vocational schools
• Nursing homes and long-term care facilities
• Private entities

These institutions are approved and overseen by the state’s regulatory body to ensure they meet the state and federal standards.

In the program, you’ll undergo a specified number of training hours, which includes:

• Classroom instruction
• Supervised clinical practice
• Minimum training hours required before direct contact with a resident

After training, you’ll gain the practical knowledge and demonstrable skills required to be a nursing assistant.

CNA Certification Exam

Now that you’ve graduated from a CNA training program, you’ll now prepare to sit in for the state’s competency evaluation exam.

This exam will evaluate your nursing assistant competencies in both knowledge and skills.

As such, the exam will have two parts: a knowledge (written or oral) test and a skills test.

You have to pass both tests within the eligibility period to…

• Successfully complete the competency evaluation exam
• Have your information listed on the state’s Nursing Assistant Registry

On another note, the state will contract with a third-party test provider to help them administer the exam.

And so, you will submit to the test provider the following:

• Exam application
• Exam fees
• Other documentation, if required

CNA Certification Renewal

As mentioned, your CNA certification is only valid for two years.

After which you’ll have to apply for renewal.

Each state has its renewal requirements, but at a minimum, you’ll need to work with pay in the capacity of a CNA for a certain number of hours to be qualified.

In the event that you don’t meet the renewal requirements and…

• Your certification has lapsed for less than 24 months, you can renew it by passing the competency evaluation exam
• Your certification has lapsed for more than 24 months, you need to…
  • Re-enroll in a CNA training program
  • Pass the competency evaluation exam

CNA Certification Requirements by State

Alabama CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 75-hour Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program
• Pass the Alabama CNA Exam.

Alaska CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 140-hour state-approved CNA training program
• Pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program exam
• Undergo a fingerprint-based background check

Arizona CNA Certification Requirements

• For CNA:
  • Complete the 120-hour state-approved CNA training program
  • Pass the Arizona Nurse Aide Competency Exam
• For LNA:
  • All requirements for CNA
  • Apply for licensing
  • Undergo a complete background check

Arkansas CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 90-hour state-approved Nurse Assistant Training Program
• Pass the Arkansas Nurse Aide Competency Exam

California CNA Certification Requirements

• Must be at least 16 years old
• Complete the 150-hour CDPH-approved Nurse Assistant Training Program
• Pass the California Competency Evaluation Examination
• Undergo criminal background clearance

Colorado CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 75-hour state-approved CNA training program
• Pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program exam

Connecticut CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 100-hour state-approved Nurse Aide Training Program
• Pass the Connecticut Nurse Aide Competency Exam

Delaware CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 150-hour state-approved CNA training program
• Pass the Delaware Nurse Aide Competency Examination

Florida CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 120-hour state-approved CNA training program
• Pass the Florida Nurse Aide Competency Exam
• Undergo a criminal background check

Georgia CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 85-hour state-approved Nurse Aide Training Program
• Pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program exam

Hawaii CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 100-hour state-approved CNA training program.
• Pass the Hawaii Nurse Aide Competency Exam.

Idaho CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 120-hour state-approved CNA training program
• Pass the Idaho Nurse Aide Competency Examination

Illinois CNA Certification Requirements

• Completed the 120-hour state-approved CNA training program
• Pass the Illinois Nurse Aide Competency Exam

Indiana CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 105-hour state-approved CNA training program
• Pass the Indiana Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation

Iowa CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 75-hour IDPH-approved CNA training program
• Pass the Iowa CNA Competency Examination

Kansas CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 90-hour state-approved CNA training program
• Pass the Kansas Nurse Aide Test

Kentucky CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 75-hour Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program
• Pass the Kentucky Nurse Aide Test

Louisiana CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 80-hour Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program
• Pass the Louisiana Competency Evaluation Exam

Maine CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 180-hour state-approved CNA training program
• Pass the Maine Competency Evaluation Exam
• Undergo a criminal background check

Maryland CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 100-hour state-approved CNA training program
• Pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program exam

Massachusetts CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 75-hour state-approved Nurse Aide Training Program
• Pass the Massachusetts Nurse Aide Competency Exam

Michigan CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 75-hour state-approved Nurse Aide Training Program
• Pass the Michigan Nurse Aide Competency Exam

Minnesota CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 75-hour state-approved Nursing Assistant Training Program
• Pass the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Competency Exam

Mississippi CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 75-hour state-approved Nurse Aide Training Program
• Pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program exam

Missouri CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 175-hour state-approved Nurse Assistant Training Program
• Pass the Missouri Nurse Assistant Competency Exam

Montana CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 75-hour state-approved Nurse Aide Training Program
• Pass the Montana Nurse Aide Competency Exam

Nebraska CNA Certification Requirements

• Must be at least 16 years old
• Complete either a:
  • 75-hour state-approved training program
  • 21-hour basic resident-care course for the developmentally disabled in an intermediate care facility
• Complete a one-hour abuse/neglect/misappropriation training
• Undergo a criminal background check
• Pass the Nebraska Competency Evaluation Exam
• Fluent in English

Nevada CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 75-hour state-approved Nursing Assistant Training Program
• Undergo a criminal history background check
• Pass the Nevada Nurse Aide Competency Exam

New Hampshire CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 100-hour state-approved LNA training program
• Pass the New Hampshire Competency Evaluation Exam
• Undergo a criminal background check

New Jersey CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 90-hour Nurse Aide in Long Term Care Facilities Training and Competency Evaluation Program
• Pass the New Jersey Competency Evaluation Exam
• Undergo a criminal background check

New Mexico CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 75-hour Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program
• Pass the New Mexico CNA Competency Exam

New York CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 100-hour state-approved Nurse Aide Training Program
• Pass the New York State Nursing Home Nurse Aide Competency Examination

North Carolina CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 75-hour state-approved Nurse Aide Training Program
• Pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program exam

North Dakota CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 75-hour Nurse Aide Training And Competency Evaluation Program
• Pass the Nurse Aide Competency Exam

Ohio CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 75-hour Nurse Aide Training And Competency Evaluation Program
• Pass the Ohio State Tested Nurse Aide Exam

Oklahoma CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the state-approved Nurse Aide Training Program
  • Long Term Care Aide – 75 training hours
  • Home Health Aide – 75 training hours
  • Developmentally Disabled Direct Care Aide – 75 training hours
  • Residential Care Aide – 45 training hours
  • Adult Day Care Aide – 45 training hours
  • Certified Medication Aide – 40 training hours
• Pass the Oklahoma Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Exam

Oregon CNA Certification Requirements

• To be a CNA I:
  • Complete the 155-hour OSBN-approved CNA I training program
  • Undergo a criminal background check
  • Pass the Oregon Nurse Aide Competency Exam
• To be a CNA II:
  • Hold a current CNA I certification
  • Complete the 88-hour OSBN-approved CNA II training program

Pennsylvania CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 80-hour state-approved Nurse Aide Training Program
• Pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program exam
• Undergo a criminal background check

Rhode Island CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 120-hour state-approved Nursing Assistant Training Program
• Apply for a nursing assistant license
• Pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program exam

South Carolina CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 100-hour state-approved Nurse Aide Training Program
• Pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program exam

South Dakota CNA Certification Requirements

• Must be at least 16 years old
• Complete the 75-hour state-approved Nurse Aide Training Program
• Pass the South Dakota Nurse Aide Competency Exam

Tennessee CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 75-hour state-approved Nurse Aide Training Program
• Pass the Tennessee Nurse Aide Competency Exam

Texas CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 100-hour Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program
• Pass the Texas Nurse Aide Competency Exam

Utah CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 100-hour Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program
• Pass the Utah CNA Exam

Vermont CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 80-hour state-approved Nursing Assistant Training Program
• Pass the Vermont Nursing Assistant Competency Exam

Virginia CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 120-hour state-approved Nurse Aide Training Program
• Pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program exam

Washington CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 85-hour state-approved Nursing Assistant Training Program
• Pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program exam

West Virginia CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 120-hour state-approved Nurse Aide Training Program
• Pass the West Virginia Nurse Aide Competency Exam

Wisconsin CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 120-hour state-approved Nurse Aide Training Program
• Pass the Wisconsin Nurse Aide Competency Exam

Wyoming CNA Certification Requirements

• Complete the 120-hour state-approved Nurse Aide Training Program
• Undergo a criminal background check
• Pass the Wyoming Nurse Aide Competency Exam