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Certified Nursing Assistant
CNA certification is regulated at the state level through Boards of Nursing. The federal OBRA mandate requires a minimum of 75 training hours, but most states exceed this. Training programs combine classroom instruction, clinical practice, and skills lab hours, followed by a competency exam.
51
Total States
98
Avg Training Hours
32
Above 75hr Minimum
50
Require Background Check
CNA certification requires completing a state-approved training program and passing a competency exam. Requirements vary by state, with different training hours, exam providers, and renewal cycles.
State-approved CNA training programs combine classroom instruction with hands-on clinical hours. The federal minimum is 75 hours, but many states require 100+ hours covering patient care skills, infection control, communication, safety procedures, and resident rights.
After completing training, candidates must pass a two-part competency exam: a written (or oral) knowledge test and a clinical skills evaluation. Most states use Pearson VUE, Prometric, or D&SDT as their exam provider.
CNA certification must be renewed every 1-2 years. Most states require a minimum number of paid nursing work hours (typically 8 hours) and completion of in-service training or continuing education hours to maintain active status on the nurse aide registry.
Click any column header to sort. Click a state to view full requirements.
| State | Training Hours | Exam Provider | Total Cost | CE Hours | Renewal | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | 75 hrs | Credentia (NNAAP) and Prometric | $135–$185 | 12 | 2 years | Mar 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | 140 hrs | Credentia (NNAAP) | $260–$335 | 24 | 2 years (all certifications expire March 31 of even-numbered years) | Mar 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | 120 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) | Exam fee only | 12 | 2 years | Mar 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | 90 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) | $125–$135 | 12 | 2 years (24 months, no grace period) | Mar 2026 |
| California(CA) | 160 hrs | Credentia (Northern California) and D&S Diversified Technologies/Headmaster (Southern California) | $115–$180 | 48 | 2 years | Mar 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | 75 hrs | Credentia (NNAAP) – transitioned from Pearson VUE | $135+ | 12 | 2 years (24 months) | Mar 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | 100 hrs | Prometric | $118+ | 12 | 2 years (24 months) | Mar 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | 150 hrs | Prometric | $115+ | 24 | 2 years (24 months) | Mar 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | 120 hrs | Credentia (NNAAP) – transitioned from Pearson VUE | $167–$192 | 24 | 2 years (24 months) | Mar 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | 120 hrs | Prometric | $205–$230 | 24 | 2 years (expires May 31 of renewal year) | Mar 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | 85 hrs | Credentia (NNAAP) | $130+ | 12 | 2 years (24 months, no grace period) | Mar 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | 100 hrs | Prometric | $225–$235 | 24 hours of continuing education required for Group 2 CNAs (those who worked in non-Medicare/Medicaid settings) | 2 years (24 months) | Mar 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | 120 hrs | Prometric (written/oral exam); skills exam administered by training provider or approved test site | $29–$39 | 12 | 2 years (24 months from last day worked) | Mar 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | 120 hrs | Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC) – Illinois Nurse Aide Testing | $85 | 12 | 2 years (24 months) | Mar 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | 105 hrs | Ivy Tech Community College | $100 | 12 | 2 years | Mar 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | 75 hrs | Headmaster (D&S Diversified) and Credentia for written/oral; Iowa community colleges for skills evaluation | $165–$205 | 12 hours per year if employed in a federally certified long-term care facility (no CE requirement for registry maintenance itself) | 2 years (24 months) | Mar 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | 90 hrs | KDADS Health Occupations Credentialing (computer-based exam administered at multiple statewide sites) | $20 | 12 | 2 years (24 months) | Mar 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | 75 hrs | Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) | $135–$150 | 12 | 2 years | Mar 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | 80 hrs | Prometric | $151 | 12 | 2 years (24 months) | Mar 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | 130 hrs | Maine CNA Competency Test (administered through state-approved evaluators) | $0 for registry placement | 12 | 2 years (24 months) | Mar 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | 100 hrs | Credentia (via CNA365 platform) – National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) | $161.25 | 12 | 2 years | Mar 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | 100 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) via TestMaster Universe (TMU) | $100 | 12 | 2 years (24 months) | Mar 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | 75 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) | $215 | 24 hours per renewal cycle (12 hours per year); must include abuse, neglect, and care planning training | 2 years (24 months) | Mar 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | 75 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) | $270 | 12 | 2 years (24 months) | Mar 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | 75 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) | $135 | 12 | 2 years | Mar 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | 175 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) | $125 | 12 | 2 years | Mar 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | 75 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) | $97 | 12 | 2 years | Mar 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | 75 hrs | Nebraska Health Care Learning Center (NHCLC) | $100 | 12 | 2 years (continuous) | Mar 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | 75 hrs | Credentia (formerly D&S Diversified Technologies/Headmaster) | $190 | 24 | 2 years | Mar 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | 100 hrs | Excel Testing | $310 | — | 2 years | Mar 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | 90 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) for skills testing; PSI for written/oral testing | $76 | 12 | 2 years | Mar 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | 75 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) | $140 | 12 | 2 years | Mar 2026 |
| New York(NY) | 100 hrs | Prometric | $115 | 12 | 2 years | Mar 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | 75 hrs | Credentia (via CNA365 platform) | $140 | 12 | 2 years | Mar 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | 75 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) | $275 | 12 | 2 years | Mar 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | 75 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) | $104 | 12 | 2 years | Mar 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | 75 hrs | Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education (CareerTech) Health Certification Project; also Prometric for some testing | $75 | 12 | 2 years | Mar 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | 155 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) | $176.50 | 0 | 2 years | Mar 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | 80 hrs | Credentia (NNAAP) | $157–$175 | 12 | 2 years | Mar 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | 120 hrs | Credentia (NNAAP) | $205 | 12 | 2 years | Mar 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | 100 hrs | Credentia (NNAAP via CNA365 platform) | $165 | 12 | 2 years | Mar 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | 75 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) via SDHCA | $207.50 | 24 | 2 years | Mar 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | 75 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) via TMU portal | $177.15 | 12 | 2 years | Mar 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | 100 hrs | Prometric | $145–$160 | 24 | 2 years | Mar 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | 100 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) via TMU system | $145 | 12 | 2 years | Mar 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | 80 hrs | Excel Testing | $116.50 | 12 | 2 years | Mar 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | 120 hrs | Credentia (NNAAP) | $180 | 12 | 1 year | Mar 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | 108 hrs | Credentia (NNAAP) | $285 | 0 | 1 year | Mar 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | 120 hrs | Professional Healthcare Development (PHD) | $175 | 12 | 2 years | Mar 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | 75 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) via TestMaster Universe (TMU) | $137.75 | 12 | 2 years | Mar 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | 75 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) via TestMaster Universe (TMU) | $247 | 24 | 2 years (even-numbered years, October 1 - December 31) | Mar 2026 |
CNAs often work alongside other healthcare and licensed professionals. Explore related licensing requirements.
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See the full comparison table above for all 51 states.
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