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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
31
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.
Side-by-side fees, hours, exams, and timelines across all 50 states. Sort by cost, hours, or any column.
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Study Materials & Exam Prep — CNA Certification Exam
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Practice Tests for the CNA Certification Exam
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Click any state to see full requirements, costs, and step-by-step instructions →
| State | Training Hours | Exam Provider | Total Cost | CE Hours | Renewal | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | 75 hrs | Credentia (NNAAP) and Prometric | $135–$185 | 12 | 2 years | April 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | 140 hrs | Credentia (NNAAP® Nurse Aide Exam) | $230 | 24 | Confirmed via 'License Expiration Dates' link and renewal application on official site; fixed expiration on March 31 of even-numbered years is consistent with CBPL patterns | April 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | 120 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies LLP / Headmaster LLP | $125 | 12 | 2 years | April 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | 75 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies – Headmaster (also operating as Headmaster LLP) | $125–$135 | 12 | 2 years (24 months, no grace period) | April 2026 |
| California(CA) | 150 hrs | Credentia only (statewide as of 2024) | $156 | 48 | 2 years | April 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | 75 hrs | Credentia (NNAAP) | $135+ | 12 | 2 years (24 months) | April 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | 100 hrs | Prometric Inc. | $118+ | 12 | 24 months | April 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | 150 hrs | Prometric | $115+ | 24 | 2 years (24 months) | March 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | 120 hrs | Credentia (NNAAP) – transitioned from Pearson VUE | $167–$192 | 24 | 24 months | April 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | 120 hrs | Prometric | $205–$230 | 24 | 2 years (expires May 31 of renewal year) | March 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | 85 hrs | Credentia (NNAAP) | $130+ | 12 | 2 years (24 months, no grace period) | April 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | 100 hrs | Prometric | $225 (written/skills) or $235 (oral/skills) | 24 hours of continuing education or a 24-hour competency evaluation course required for Group 2 CNAs (non-Medicare/Medicaid settings) | 24 months (2 years) | March 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | 120 hrs | Prometric (written/oral exam); skills exam administered by training provider or approved test site | $29–$39 | 12 | 24 months from the date of the last day worked | April 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | 120 hrs | Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC) – Illinois Nurse Aide Testing | $85 | 12 | 2 years (24 months) | March 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | 105 hrs | Ivy Tech Community College | $100 | 12 | 2 years | March 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | 75 hrs | Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies) for written/oral exam; Iowa community colleges for skills evaluation | $165 | 12 hours per year if employed in a federally certified long-term care facility | 2 years (24 months) | April 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | 90 hrs | KDADS Health Occupations Credentialing (computer-based exam administered at multiple statewide sites) | $20 | 12 | 2 years (24 months) | March 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | 75 hrs | Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) | $135–$150 | 12 | 24 months | April 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | 80 hrs | Prometric | $151 | 12 | 2 years (24 months) | April 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | 130 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) | $125 | 12 | Every 24 months | April 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | 100 hrs | Credentia (via CNA365 platform) – National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) | $161.25 | 12 | 2 years | March 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | 100 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies – Headmaster via TestMaster Universe (TMU) | $100 | 12 | 2 years (24 months) | April 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | 75 hrs | D & S Diversified Technologies - Headmaster | $215 | At least 12 hours annually (24 hours per 2-year renewal cycle) per Rule 400.315, effective March 23, 2026; must include abuse, neglect, and care plan training | 24 months | March 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | 75 hrs | D&SDT-Headmaster (D&S Diversified Technologies – Headmaster) | $270 | 12 | 24 months | April 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | 75 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies LLP / Headmaster LLP | $135 | 12 | 2 years | April 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | 175 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) | $125 | 12 | 2 years | April 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | 75 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) | $125 | 12 | 2 years | April 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | 75 hrs | Nebraska Health Care Learning Center (NHCLC) | $100 | 12 | 2 years (continuous) | March 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | 75 hrs | Credentia | $190 | 24 | 2 years | April 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | 100 hrs | Excel Testing (exceltestingnh.com) | $310 (computed: $200 exam + $63 registration + $47 background check) | — | 2 years | April 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | 90 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) for skills testing; PSI for written/oral testing | $76 | 12 | Every 24 months | March 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | 75 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies LLP / Headmaster LLP | $140 | 12 | 2 years | April 2026 |
| New York(NY) | 100 hrs | Prometric | $115 | 12 | 2 years | March 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | 75 hrs | Credentia (via CNA365 platform) | $140 | 12 | 2 years | March 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | 75 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) | $275 | 12 | 2 years (24 months) | March 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | 75 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies LLP (D&SDT) – Headmaster LLP | $104 | 12 | 24 months | April 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 | April 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | 150 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies LLP, dba Headmaster LLP | $176.50 | 0 | 2 years | April 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | 120 hrs | Credentia (NNAAP) | $157–$175 | 12 | 2 years | April 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | 80 hrs | Credentia (NNAAP) | $205 | 12 | 2 years (24 months) | April 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | 100 hrs | Credentia (NNAAP via CNA365 platform) | $165 | 12 | 24 months | March 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | 75 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies LLP dba Headmaster LLP; test scheduling coordinated via SDHCA (LuAnn Severson, 605-339-2071) | $177.50 | 24 | 2 years (24-month period) | April 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | 75 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) via TMU portal (tn.tmutest.com) | $164.15 | 12 | 2 years | April 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | 100 hrs | Prometric | $145–$160 | 24 | 2 years | March 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | 100 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) via TMU system | $110 | 12 | 2 years | April 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | 140 hrs | Excel Testing (exceltestingvt.com) — confirmed as Vermont's testing provider on the official DLP NATCEP page | $143.25 | 12 | 2 years | April 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | 120 hrs | Credentia (NNAAP) | $180 | 12 | 1 year | April 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | 85 hrs | Credentia (NNAAP) | $210 | 0 | Annual (on or before birthday each year) | April 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | 120 hrs | Professional Healthcare Development (PHD) | $140 | 12 | 2 years | April 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | 75 hrs | D&S Diversified Technologies LLP / Headmaster LLP via TestMaster Universe (TMU) | $137.75 (standard written knowledge + skills test) | 12 | 2 years (24-month certification period) | March 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) | March 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.
In-depth articles to help you get licensed
Moving to a new state?
See which states have reciprocity for CNA licenses and what's required to transfer.
Explore similar licensing requirements