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How to become a CNA in Alaska. Training: 140 hours required. Exam provider: Credentia (NNAAP). Total initial fees: $260–$335. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Certified Nursing Assistant
Governing Authority
Alaska Board of Nursing – Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing
Official website →Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
73% of data points are verified against official sources. 11 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
140 hrs
Training Hours
Credentia (NNAAP)
Exam Provider
$260–$335
Total Initial Fees
2 years (all certifications expire March 31 of even-numbered years)
Renewal Period
24 hrs
CE Hours
Must have performed at least 160 hours of paid CNA employment during the current certification period in the U.S. or Canada
Work Hours Req
Regulatory Information
VerifiedGoverning Authority
Alaska Board of Nursing – Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing
(907) 269-8160
Program Approval Body
Alaska Board of Nursing
State-Approved Training Program Required
Regulated by the Alaska Board of Nursing – Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing
State-Approved Training Program
Training Hours Breakdown
140
Total Hours
60
Classroom
80
Clinical
Program Approval Body
Alaska Board of Nursing
Topics Covered
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Written Exam
Available
Oral Exam Option
Required
Skills Evaluation
Exam Provider
Credentia (NNAAP)
Written Exam Details
60
Questions
120 min
Time Limit
70%
Passing Score
Skills Evaluation Details
5
Skills Tasks
30 min
Time Limit
Attempts Allowed
3
Retest Waiting Period
Must pass within 3 attempts per section; after 3 failures, must retake the training program
Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Fingerprinting
Immunizations Required
TB Test Required
Abuse Registry Check
Physical Exam Required
CPR Certification
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Training Program Fee Varies by program; employers of nurse aides in Medicare/Medicaid facilities must cover training costs | $825–$1,720 |
Competency Exam Fee Exam fee paid as part of application; oral exam costs an additional $5 | $50–$60 |
State Registration Fee Certification fee paid to Alaska Board of Nursing; application fee is an additional $50–$100 | $100 |
Background Check Fee Fingerprint processing fee for state and federal background check | $60–$75 |
Total Initial Fees Total of application, certification, fingerprint processing, and exam fees (excludes training program tuition) | $260–$335 |
Scope of Practice
VerifiedAllowed Duties
Restricted Duties
Supervision Requirements
Must work under the supervision of a licensed nurse (RN or LPN)
Approved Work Settings
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years (all certifications expire March 31 of even-numbered years)
Renewal Period
Must have performed at least 160 hours of paid CNA employment during the current certification period in the U.S. or Canada
Work Requirement
24
In-Service/CE Hours
Renewal Fee
$100
Biennial renewal fee; online or by mail
Late Renewal Fee
N/A
No grace period; if certification expires, must apply for reinstatement
Inactive Reinstatement
If lapsed 13 months to 5 years, may apply for reinstatement; if lapsed more than 5 years, must complete a new training program and retest
Regulatory Board
CNAs must maintain active certification by meeting work hour requirements and completing in-service training within each renewal cycle. Failure to renew may require retaking the competency exam.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State CNA Certification
Transfer Process
Must apply for certification by endorsement through the Alaska Board of Nursing; endorsement fee is $260
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Out-of-state CNAs typically need to apply for reciprocity through the state's nurse aide registry. Verification of active, good-standing status on the originating state's registry is usually required.
Alaska requires 140 training hours (nearly double the federal minimum) and has notably strict renewal requirements: 160 hours of paid employment (vs. the federal 8-hour minimum) and 24 hours of CE per renewal period. All certifications expire on a fixed date (March 31 of even-numbered years) with no grace period. The endorsement fee of $260 is among the highest for CNA reciprocity.
Alaska requires 140 training hours (60 classroom + 80 clinical), nearly double the federal OBRA minimum of 75 hours
The competency exam is administered by Credentia using the NNAAP exam
All certifications expire March 31 of even-numbered years with no grace period
Renewal requires 160 hours of paid CNA employment (much higher than the federal 8-hour minimum) and 24 hours of CE
Alternative pathways exist for nursing students, military corpsmen/medics (within 5 years), and licensed nurses
Applications must be notarized and include a passport-style photo
Training must have been completed within 2 years prior to application
There is no interstate compact for CNAs. Transfer between states requires reciprocity application to the new state's Nurse Aide Registry.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Alaska.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#46 of 51
Salary
#7 of 51
Cost
#46 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Nursing Assistants (SOC 31-1131)
Entry Level
$41,840
25th percentile
Median
$45,840
+16% vs. national avg ($39,530)Experienced
$50,700
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
1,660 employed in this state
Source: BLS OEWS – Nursing Assistants (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+4.1%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+57,000
over 10 years
Annual Openings
182,300
per year (avg.)
1.4M currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Nursing Career Ladder+217% salary growth potential
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CNA
$45,840
State-approved training program (4-12 weeks)
You are here
CNA
State-approved training program (4-12 weeks)
$45,840
Practical nursing program (12-18 months) + NCLEX-PN
$77,670
ADN or BSN degree + NCLEX-RN
$110,690
MSN or DNP + national certification
$145,450
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 8–23 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
2–6 weeks
Estimated processing time
Study guides and practice tests for the certified nursing assistant exam.
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Alaska requires 140 hours of training and passage of the Credentia (NNAAP) competency exam to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. All certification is managed through the Alaska Board of Nursing – Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state Board of Nursing.