Many healthcare workers begin their careers as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), assisting nurses, doctors, and other team members with direct patient care. CNAs, sometimes called nurse aides or nursing assistants, are a vital part of the medical workforce, and those who aim to become CNAs must follow the proper educational and licensing pathways. Each state has its own guidelines and requirements, but in general, students must complete the following to become fully certified CNAs.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- What CNA certification entails
- What’s on the CNA certification exam (written/oral + skills)
- How renewal works, including continuing education expectations
- Typical time to certification, plus salary/outlook context
- State-by-state CNA certification requirements and official registry links
CNA Certification At-a-Glance
Typical timeline: Many CNA programs can be completed in ~4–12 weeks (varies by state and school schedule).
CNA exam format: Usually two parts; a written/oral knowledge test and a hands-on skills evaluation.
Renewal cadence: Often every 2 years, but renewal rules vary by state.
Continuing education: Federal guidance commonly references 12 hours annually to maintain competence; states may add requirements.
Pay & demand: BLS lists a median $39,530/year (May 2024) and projects ~2% growth (2024–2034) for nursing assistants.
How to Get Certified as a CNA
While requirements differ by state, the certification pathway is usually consistent.
Step-by-Step Process
- Confirm your state's rules
Requirements can differ on training hours, exam provider, background checks, and renewal expectations. Start by locating your state in the requirements list below. - Complete a state-approved CNA training program
CNA programs are offered through community colleges, adult education centers, vocational schools, and healthcare facilities. Your program must be state-approved to qualify you for certification. - Complete background check / fingerprinting (when required)
Many states require clearance steps prior to registry placement (and sometimes before clinical training). - Apply for certification and/or exam eligibility
States often require an application and fee—sometimes within a specific timeframe after training completion. - Pass the CNA certification exam (knowledge + skills)
Most states use a two-part competency evaluation: written/oral plus a skills test. - Get listed on your state Nurse Aide Registry
Once certified, you'll be placed on the official registry that employers use to verify status.
RELATED: What to Expect During and After CNA Training
CNA Training Requirements
Most states require at least the federal minimum training hours, but many exceed it, especially in clinical/lab time.
Tip: If you need flexibility, you may find hybrid programs in which theory is online but clinical training is in person (a common expectation in CNA education).
RELATED: How much do CNA classes cost?
CNA Certification Exam: What to Expect
In most states, the CNA exam includes:
- Knowledge test (written or oral): multiple-choice questions on safety, infection control, communication, basic care, and core CNA responsibilities
- Skills test: you perform a set of randomly selected hands-on skills (e.g., hand hygiene, measuring/recording vital signs, transfers)
This two-part format is standard across many state competency evaluations. Fees for the exam vary by state and testing vendor. Some programs bundle testing fees into tuition; others charge separately.
CNA License & Certification Renewals
CNA certification often renews on a cycle (commonly every 2 years), and eligibility may depend on employment hours and/or additional requirements. If certification has lapsed beyond the allowed window, states may require retraining and re-testing.
Continuing Education
Federal nurse aide training guidance commonly references 12 hours of in-service/continuing education annually to maintain competence, but some states may require more.
State-by-State CNA Certification Links
To find out more information on your state’s specific CNA certification and licensing guidelines, please follow the links below:
Alabama CNA Certification Requirements
- Graduate of an approved CNA program
- Completion of at least 75 clock hours of training, including 16 hours of clinical training and 16 hours of labs
- Take and pass the Nurse Aide Competency Exam, administered by Pearson VUE or Prometric
Link: Alabama Department of Public Health Certified Nurse Aide Registry
Alaska CNA Certification Requirements
- Completion of an approved CNA program
- Completion of a minimum of 140 training hours, including at least 60 classroom hours and 80 hours of lab/clinical practice
- Submit application for Alaska’s Nurse Aide Certification by Examination
- Sit for the Nurse Aide Examination through Pearson VUE
Link: Alaska Nurse Aide Registry
Arizona CNA Certification Requirements
- Attend and complete a board-approved CNA program
- Complete at least 120 CNA training hours
- Pass the state’s written and manual skills exam
- Submit proof of legal residency
Link: Arizona State Board of Nursing
Arkansas CNA Certification Requirements
- Complete a state-approved program
- At least 90 hours of education/training required
- Pass the Nursing Assistant Competency Exam
Link: Arkansas Department of Human Services Office of Long Term Care
California CNA Certification Requirements
- Be at least 16 years old
- Successfully complete an approved CNA training program
- Obtain a criminal record clearance
- Successfully pass the Competency Evaluation Examination
Link: California Department of Public Health
Colorado CNA Certification Requirements
- Complete a state-approved CNA training program
- Take and pass the NNAAP examination administered through Pearson VUE
Link: Colorado Board of Nursing
Connecticut CNA Certification Requirements
- Completion of a board-approved CNA program (within 24 months of the date of application for certification)
- Must take and pass the Connecticut Nurse Aide examination administered by Prometric
Link: Connecticut State Department of Public Health
Delaware CNA Certification Requirements
- Completion of a state-approved CNA training program
- Must take and pass the CNA Competency Exam through Prometric
Link: Delaware Division of Health Care Quality
Florida CNA Certification Requirements
- Successful completion of an approved CNA training program (unless the student plans to apply for certification by exam only)
- Achieve a minimum score on the nursing assistant competency examination
Link: Florida Board of Nursing
Georgia CNA Certification Requirements
- Successful completion of a board-approved CNA program
- Pass the NNAAP exam, administered via Pearson VUE
Link: Georgia Nurse Aide System
Hawaii CNA Certification Requirements
- Completion of an approved CNA training program
- Successfully pass the Hawaii Nurse Aide Competency Exam administered via Prometric
Link: Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Professional & Vocational Licensing
Idaho CNA Certification Requirements
- Complete an approved CNA program that includes a minimum of 120 training hours
- Take and pass the Idaho Nurse Aide Exam via Prometric
Link: Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Illinois CNA Certification Requirements
- Successful completion of an Illinois-approved CNA training course
- Pass the written competency test
Link: Illinois Department of Public Health
Indiana CNA Certification Requirements
- Complete a state-approved 105-hour Nurse Aide Training Program
- Successfully pass both the written and skills evaluation exam
Link: Indiana State Department of Health
Iowa CNA Certification Requirements
- Successful completion of a 75-hour state-approved CNA training program
- Take and pass the written and skills components of the CNA exam
Link: Iowa Department of Inspections & Appeals
Kansas CNA Certification Requirements
- Complete a 90-hour approved CNA training program
- Earn a score of 75% or higher on the state CNA examination
Link: Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services
Kentucky CNA Certification Requirements
- Complete an approved CNA course consisting of a minimum of 75 hours (with 16 hours of supervised clinical training)
- Pass the final examination (written/oral and skills demonstration)
- Complete a competency evaluation
Link: Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services 404
Louisiana CNA Certification Requirements
- Complete a state-approved CNA training program
- Pass the CNA certification exam
Link: Louisiana Department of Health
Maine CNA Certification Requirements
- Complete 180 hours of training from a state-approved CNA program
- Pass the Maine CNA competency test
- Pass a criminal background check
Link: Maine Registry of Certified Nursing Assistants & Direct Care Workers
Maryland CNA Certification Requirements
- Complete 100 hours of CNA instruction through a board-approved CNA program
- Pass the CNA competency examination (written and manual skills)
Link: Maryland Board of Nursing
Massachusetts CNA Certifiation Requirements
- Attend and complete a department-approved Nurse Aide Training Program
- Pass the Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation (knowledge portion can be taken up to 4 times; clinical portion can be taken up to 3 times)
Link: Massachusetts Nurse Aide Registry Program
Michigan CNA Certification Requirements
- Complete an approved Michigan training course
- Pass the evaluation test through Prometric to be issued a 2-year certificate
Link: Michigan Nurse Aide Registry
Minnesota CNA Certification Requirements
- Successfully complete an approved nursing assistant program in Minnesota
- Successfully pass the competency evaluation exam
- Or, be in good standing on the nursing assistant registry in another state with a minimum of 8 hours of CNA work within the state in the last 24 months
Link: Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry
Mississippi CNA Certification Requirements
- Complete an approved CNA training program
- Pass the NNAAP examination administered through Pearson VUE
Link: Mississippi State Department of Health
Missouri CNA Certification Requirements
- Completion of a state-approved CNA course comprised of 75 hours of classroom training and 100 hours of on-the-job training
- Pass the two-part (written/oral and practicum) final examination
Link: Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
Montana CNA Certification Requirements
- Enroll in and complete a state-approved CNA training program
- Take and pass the CNA certification examination
Link: Montana Nurse Aide Registry
Nebraska CNA Certification Requirements
- Must be at least 16 years old
- Successfully complete a minimum of 75 hours of state-approved training or a 21-hour basic resident-care course for intermediate care facilities for the developmentally disabled
- Successfully complete a one-hour Nebraska-specific abuse/neglect/misappropriation training
- Successfully pass the Nebraska-approved written/oral exam and skills competency exam
Link: Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
Nevada CNA Certification Requirements
- Complete a Nevada-approved CNA training program
- Pass the state’s CNA certification exam
Link: Nevada State Board of Nursing
New Hampshire CNA Certification Requirements
- Complete a state-approved training program
- Pass the appropriate CNA competency evaluation examination
Link: New Hampshire Board of Nursing
New Jersey CNA Certification Requirements
- Enroll in and complete a state-approved nurse assistant training program to include classroom learning and clinical instruction
- Pass the state’s CNA certification examination
Link: New Jersey Department of Health
New Mexico CNA Certification Requirements
- Complete a state-approved CNA training program
- Successfully pass the competency exam administered by Prometric
Link: New Mexico Department of Health Certified Nurse Aide Registry
New York CNA Certification Requirements
- Complete a New York state-approved training program
- Pass the nurse aide exams administered through Prometric
Link: New York State Department of Health Nurse Aide Registry
North Carolina CNA Certification Requirements
- Complete a state-approved nurse aide training program (75 hours or longer)
- Pass the state-approved competency evaluation administered through Pearson VUE
Link: North Carolina Nurse Aide Registry
North Dakota CNA Certification Requirements
- Complete a state-approved Certified Nurse Aide training program
- Take and pass the state’s CNA competency evaluation
Link: North Dakota Nurse Aide Registry
Ohio CNA Certification Requirements
- Enroll in and complete a state-approved nurse aide training program
- Successfully pass the state CNA examination
Link: Ohio Department of Health Nurse Aide Registry
Oklahoma CNA Certification Requirements
- Successfully complete an approved Oklahoma Nurse Aide training program
- Pass the state’s competency examination
Link: Oklahoma Nurse Aide Registry
Oregon CNA Certification Requirements
- Complete an Oregon State Board of Nursing-approved nursing assistant training program
- Pass a criminal background check
- Take and pass the CNA exam through Headmaster Testing Service
Link: Oregon State Board of Nursing
Pennsylvania CNA Certification Requirements
- Complete a Pennsylvania-approved nurse aide training program
- Pass the competency evaluation exam administered by Credentia within 24 months of program completion
Link: Pennsylvania Department of Health Nurse Aide Registry
Rhode Island CNA Certification Requirements
- Complete a state-approved CNA training program that contains 120 hours of training
- Apply for a nursing assistant license
- Take and pass the CNA competency examination
Link: State of Rhode Island Department of Health
South Carolina CNA Certification Requirements
- Completion of a state-approved CNA training program
- Schedule and pass the SC Nurse Aide exam administered through Pearson VUE
Link: South Carolina Bureau of Long Term Care and Behavioral Health Services
South Dakota CNA Certification Requirements
- Successful completion of a training program approved by the SD Board of Nursing
- Pass the competency evaluation exam
- Minimum age of 16
Link: South Dakota Board of Nursing
Tennessee CNA Certification Requirements
- Complete an approved nurse aide training program
- Successfully pass the state competency examination within 24 months of the program’s completion
Link: Tennessee Department of Health
Texas CNA Certification Requirements
- Successfully complete a state-approved nurse aide training and competency evaluation program
- Pass the competency evaluation examination
- Or, qualify to be placed on the Texas Nurse Aide Registry through waiver or reciprocity
Link: Texas Health and Human Services Nurse Aide Registry
Utah CNA Certification Requirements
- Successful completion of an approved CNA training program
- Pass the state’s CNA competency examination
Link: Utah Nursing Assistant Registry
Vermont CNA Certification Requirements
- Verification that you have completed a state-approved nursing assistant program
- Once your application and verification have been received, applicants must sit for and pass the NNAAP examination
Link: Vermont Secretary of State
Virginia CNA Certification Requirements
- Successful completion of a Virginia-approved nurse aide training program
- Take and pass the Virgnia Nurse Aide written/oral skills examination and skills evaluation
Link: Virginia Board of Nursing
Washington CNA Certification Requirements
- Complete a minimum of 85 hours of training through a state-approved program
- Pass the nursing assistant competency exam
Link: Washington State Department of Health
Washington DC CNA Certification Requirements
- Complete an approved training program that consists of 45 hours classroom instruction, 30 hours of clinical labs, and 45 hours of nursing home practicums
- Take and pass the nurse aide examination via Pearson VUE
West Virginia CNA Certification Requirements
- Completion of a state-approved training program
- Take and pass the nurse aide competency examination
Link: West Virginia Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification
- Complete an approved nurse aide training program that consists of 45 hours of classroom instruction, 30 hours of clinical labs, and 45 hours of nursing home practicums
- Take and pass the nurse aide examination via Pearson VUE
Wisconsin CNA Certification Requirements
- Satisfactory completion of an approved nurse aide training program
- Sitting for and passing the competency evaluation
Link: Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Wyoming CNA Certification Requirements
- Complete a state-approved CNA training program
- Send application and fingerprint cards to the Wyoming State Board of Nursing
- Sit for and pass the CNA skills exam via Prometric
Link: Wyoming State Board of Nursing
CNA FAQs
Q: How long does it take to become a CNA?
A: Many programs take around 4–12 weeks, but you'll need to add time for application processing and exam scheduling.
Q: Can I become a CNA online?
A: You may be able to take some coursework online, but clinical training must be in person, and the competency exam is typically in-person.
Q: What's the difference between CNA certification and being "on the Nurse Aide Registry"?
A: In most states, passing the exam and completing state steps results in registry placement, which employers use to verify your eligibility to work.
Q: What if I fail the CNA exam?
A: Retake rules vary by state. Many states allow multiple attempts before requiring retraining; check your state's rules.