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How to become a CNA in Louisiana. Training: 80 hours required. Exam provider: Prometric. Total initial fees: $151. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Certified Nursing Assistant
Governing Authority
Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) – Health Standards Section
Official website →Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
70% of data points are verified against official sources. 9 fields based on preliminary research. 3 fields need verification. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
80 hrs
Training Hours
Prometric
Exam Provider
$151
Total Initial Fees
2 years (24 months)
Renewal Period
12 hrs
CE Hours
Must have performed at least 8 hours of paid nursing or nursing-related duties in the past 24 months in an LDH-licensed healthcare facility (nursing homes, hospitals, home health, hospice, assisted living, adult day health care, or ICF/DD)
Work Hours Req
Regulatory Information
VerifiedGoverning Authority
Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) – Health Standards Section
(225) 342-0138
Program Approval Body
Louisiana Department of Health (LDH)
State-Approved Training Program Required
Regulated by the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) – Health Standards Section
State-Approved Training Program
Training Hours Breakdown
80
Total Hours
40
Classroom
40
Clinical
Program Approval Body
Louisiana Department of Health (LDH)
Topics Covered
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Written Exam
Available
Oral Exam Option
Required
Skills Evaluation
Exam Provider
Prometric
Written Exam Details
60
Questions
90 min
Time Limit
Skills Evaluation Details
5
Skills Tasks
30 min
Time Limit
Attempts Allowed
3
Retest Waiting Period
Must complete testing within 12 months of training; up to 3 attempts per component; after 3 failures or 2 years from training, must complete a new 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; some employers cover training costs | $525–$1,240 |
Competency Exam Fee Written only: $40; oral only: $40; clinical skills only: $85; rescheduling fee: $25 (if changed <5 business days before exam) | $125 (written or oral + clinical skills) |
State Registration Fee Placement on the Nurse Aide Registry is automatic after passing exam | $0 |
Background Check Fee Louisiana State Police background check fee ($26 per report) | $26 |
Total Initial Fees $125 exam fee + $26 background check; excludes training program tuition | $151 |
Scope of Practice
Mostly 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 (24 months)
Renewal Period
Must have performed at least 8 hours of paid nursing or nursing-related duties in the past 24 months in an LDH-licensed healthcare facility (nursing homes, hospitals, home health, hospice, assisted living, adult day health care, or ICF/DD)
Work Requirement
12
In-Service/CE Hours
Renewal Fee
$0
Automatic recertification at expiration if employer reports required work history; no renewal fee
Inactive Reinstatement
If certification has lapsed due to insufficient work history, must complete recertification testing through Prometric
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 certification may apply for reciprocity through Prometric and LDH; $35 non-refundable processing fee; may work temporarily for up to 30 days during emergencies after home state certification verification
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.
Louisiana uses Prometric (not Pearson VUE or Headmaster) for competency evaluations. Both exam components must be taken on the same day for first-time testers. Renewal is automatic based on employer-reported work history with no renewal fee. Louisiana also maintains a Direct Service Worker (DSW) registry alongside the CNA registry. During emergencies, out-of-state CNAs can work temporarily for up to 30 days.
Louisiana requires 80 training hours (40 classroom + 40 clinical), slightly exceeding the federal OBRA minimum of 75 hours
Prometric administers the competency evaluation in Louisiana
Both written and skills exam components must be completed on the same day for first-time testers
Minimum age is 16 years old
Background check through Louisiana State Police costs $26
Renewal is automatic if employer reports work history; no renewal fee
No grace period once certification expires
During emergencies, out-of-state CNAs may work temporarily for up to 30 days
Louisiana also maintains a Direct Service Worker (DSW) registry alongside the CNA registry
Contact the Nurse Aide Registry at (225) 342-0138
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 Louisiana.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#51 of 51
Cost
#29 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Nursing Assistants (SOC 31-1131)
Entry Level
$28,750
25th percentile
Median
$30,240
-24% vs. national avg ($39,530)Experienced
$34,450
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
20,550 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+317% salary growth potential
You are here
CNA
$30,240
State-approved training program (4-12 weeks)
You are here
CNA
State-approved training program (4-12 weeks)
$30,240
Practical nursing program (12-18 months) + NCLEX-PN
$53,930
ADN or BSN degree + NCLEX-RN
$78,880
MSN or DNP + national certification
$125,980
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: 6–20 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) – Health Standards Section — Licensing Requirements
2–6 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) – Health Standards Section — Licensing Requirements
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Louisiana requires 80 hours of training and passage of the Prometric competency exam to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. All certification is managed through the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) – Health Standards Section.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state Board of Nursing.