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How to become a CNA in New Hampshire. Training: 100 hours required. Exam provider: Excel Testing. Total initial fees: $310. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Certified Nursing Assistant
Governing Authority
New Hampshire Board of Nursing, Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC)
Official website →Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
59% of data points are verified against official sources. 15 fields based on preliminary research. 2 fields need verification. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
100 hrs
Training Hours
Excel Testing
Exam Provider
$310
Total Initial Fees
2 years
Renewal Period
None
CE Hours
Must have performed paid nursing-related services during the renewal period
Work Hours Req
Regulatory Information
VerifiedGoverning Authority
New Hampshire Board of Nursing, Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC)
Program Approval Body
New Hampshire Board of Nursing (OPLC)
State-Approved Training Program Required
Regulated by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing, Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC)
State-Approved Training Program
Training Hours Breakdown
100
Total Hours
40
Classroom
60
Clinical
Program Approval Body
New Hampshire Board of Nursing (OPLC)
Topics Covered
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Written Exam
Available
Oral Exam Option
Required
Skills Evaluation
Exam Provider
Excel Testing
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 retake full training program after 3 failed attempts
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 | $625-$1,400 |
Competency Exam Fee Written exam $100 + Clinical exam $100; paid to Excel Testing | $200 |
State Registration Fee Application/initial license fee including $28 mandatory PHP fee; paid to OPLC | $63 |
Background Check Fee Fingerprint-based background check fee | $47 |
Total Initial Fees Exam $200 + Application $63 + Background check $47 (excludes training tuition) | $310 |
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
Renewal Period
Must have performed paid nursing-related services during the renewal period
Work Requirement
—
In-Service/CE Hours
Renewal Fee
$63
Biennial renewal fee
Inactive Reinstatement
Must complete an LNA refresher course and pass the competency exam if license has lapsed
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
Application by endorsement available for out-of-state LNA/CNA holders; temporary license may be available while endorsement application is under review
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.
New Hampshire is one of the few states that LICENSES nursing assistants (LNAs) rather than certifying them (CNAs). The state requires 100 training hours with an unusually high 60 hours of clinical training. Excel Testing is the sole exam provider, and fingerprint-based background checks are mandatory.
New Hampshire calls CNAs 'Licensed Nursing Assistants' (LNAs) - it is a LICENSE, not just a certification
New Hampshire requires 100 training hours (40 classroom + 60 clinical), above the 75-hour federal minimum
The competency exam is administered by Excel Testing, not Pearson VUE or Prometric
New Hampshire requires fingerprint-based background checks through the NH Criminal Records Portal
Continuing education must be tracked through CE Broker (as of 2025)
NH also offers Medication Nursing Assistant (MNA) certification as an advancement pathway
Temporary licenses may be available for endorsement applicants from other states
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 New Hampshire.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#23 of 51
Salary
#6 of 51
Cost
#50 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Nursing Assistants (SOC 31-1131)
Entry Level
$40,790
25th percentile
Median
$46,050
+16% vs. national avg ($39,530)Experienced
$49,730
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
7,190 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+188% salary growth potential
You are here
CNA
$46,050
State-approved training program (4-12 weeks)
You are here
CNA
State-approved training program (4-12 weeks)
$46,050
Practical nursing program (12-18 months) + NCLEX-PN
$74,660
ADN or BSN degree + NCLEX-RN
$96,830
MSN or DNP + national certification
$132,440
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: 7–21 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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New Hampshire requires 100 hours of training and passage of the Excel Testing competency exam to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. All certification is managed through the New Hampshire Board of Nursing, Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC).
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state Board of Nursing.