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Certified Nursing Assistant
Total cost: $167–$192
Governing Authority
DC Department of Health, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA)
Official website →Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
120 hrs
Training Hours
Credentia (NNAAP) – transitioned from Pearson VUE
Exam Provider
$167–$192
Total Initial Fees
24 months
Renewal Period
24 hrs
CE Hours
Must work as a nurse aide at least one documented day (eight consecutive hours) for pay during the previous twenty-four (24) months, under the supervision of an RN or LPN
Work Hours Req
Regulatory Information
VerifiedGoverning Authority
DC Department of Health, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA)
(877) 672-2174
Program Approval Body
DC Health – Board of Nursing
State-Approved Training Program Required
Regulated by the DC Department of Health, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA)
State-Approved Training Program
Training Hours Breakdown
120
Total Hours
75
Classroom
45
Clinical
Program Approval Body
DC Health – Board of Nursing
Topics Covered
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Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Written Exam
Available
Oral Exam Option
Required
Skills Evaluation
Exam Provider
Credentia (NNAAP) – transitioned from Pearson VUE
Written Exam Details
70
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 24 months of program completion; 3 attempts allowed per section
Overall licensing difficulty: 1/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
CNA Certification Exam
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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CNA Competency Exam
Questions
70 questions
Time Limit
120 minutes
Passing Score
70%
Administered By
Credentia (NNAAP) – transitioned from Pearson VUE
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $117–$127Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the CNA Competency Exam.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — CNA Certification Exam
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Study guides and practice tests for the certified nursing assistant exam.
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Minimum Age
Education
Background Check
Fingerprinting
Immunizations Required
TB Test Required
Abuse Registry Check
Physical Exam Required
CPR Certification
Not sure if you need a cna license? Check whether your state requires one.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Training Program Fee Varies by program; employers of nurse aides in Medicare/Medicaid facilities must cover training costs | $1,200–$3,000 |
Competency Exam Fee Written + skills: $117; oral + skills: $127 (includes $12 registry placement fee); retakes: $40–$65 per section; paid to Credentia | $117–$127 |
State Registration Fee Registry placement fee included in exam fee | $12 |
Background Check Fee MPD and FBI fingerprint-based background check; costs vary | $50–$65 |
Total Initial Fees Total of exam and background check fees (excludes training program tuition) | $167–$192 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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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
Verified24 months
Renewal Period
Must work as a nurse aide at least one documented day (eight consecutive hours) for pay during the previous twenty-four (24) months, under the supervision of an RN or LPN
Work Requirement
24
In-Service/CE Hours
Renewal Fee
$0
No renewal fee required; submit renewal through Credentia platform
Late Renewal Fee
N/A
No renewal fee; if lapsed, must apply for reinstatement or retrain
Inactive Reinstatement
Nurse Aides must retrain and retest when the certification has expired more than 24 months
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
Out-of-state CNAs with active, good-standing certification can apply for certification by endorsement; may be certified without retaking the exam if credentials meet DC standards
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.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare District of Columbia with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
DC recently transitioned testing and registry services from Pearson VUE to Credentia. The District requires both DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and FBI background checks via fingerprinting. Initial applications go through DC Health's internal licensing portal while exam registration goes through Credentia separately. The endorsement fee of just $15 is among the lowest in the nation.
DC requires 120 training hours (75 classroom/lab + 45 clinical), exceeding the federal OBRA minimum of 75 hours
DC recently transitioned from Pearson VUE to Credentia for CNA exam administration and registry management
Knowledge exam available in written English, oral English, or oral Spanish formats
Written exam has 70 questions (60 multiple-choice + 10 reading comprehension) with a 2-hour time limit
Must be at least 18 years old and certified free of communicable disease
Both MPD and FBI background checks are required via fingerprinting
24 hours of DC BON-approved CEUs required for renewal every 24 months
No renewal fee required; renewal submitted through Credentia platform
Endorsement (reciprocity) fee is only $15
There is no interstate compact for CNAs. Transfer between states requires reciprocity application to the new state's Nurse Aide Registry.
CNA requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in District of Columbia
See how District of Columbia compares: CNA License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in District of Columbia.
CNA Schools in District of Columbia
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to District of Columbia? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your CNA license to District of Columbia →
Transfer your CNA license from District of Columbia to: Maryland → | Virginia →
District of Columbia requires 120 hours of training and passage of the Credentia (NNAAP) – transitioned from Pearson VUE competency exam to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. All certification is managed through the DC Department of Health, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA).
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state Board of Nursing.