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Certified Nursing Assistant
Total cost: $310 (computed: $200 exam + $63 registration + $47 background check)
Governing Authority
New Hampshire Board of Nursing, Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC)
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.
100 hrs
Training Hours
Excel Testing (exceltestingnh.com)
Exam Provider
$310 (computed: $200 exam + $63 registration + $47 background check)
Total Initial Fees
2 years
Renewal Period
None
CE Hours
Must have worked for pay performing nursing-related services at least once 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
Not separately specified
Skills Lab
Program Approval Body
New Hampshire Board of Nursing (OPLC)
Topics Covered
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Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Written Exam
Available
Oral Exam Option
Required
Skills Evaluation
Exam Provider
Excel Testing (exceltestingnh.com)
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
Overall licensing difficulty: 2/100
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
60 questions
Time Limit
120 minutes
Passing Score
70%
Administered By
Excel Testing (exceltestingnh.com)
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $200 (combined written and skills)Invest 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; some employers cover training costs | $625-$1,400 |
Competency Exam Fee Written exam $100 + Clinical exam $100; paid to Excel Testing | $200 (combined written and skills) |
State Registration Fee Application/initial license fee including $28 mandatory PHP fee; paid to OPLC | $63 |
Background Check Fee Fingerprint-based background check fee | $47.00 |
Total Initial Fees Exam $200 + Application $63 + Background check $47 (excludes training tuition) | $310 (computed: $200 exam + $63 registration + $47 background check) |
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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 worked for pay performing nursing-related services at least once 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.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare New Hampshire with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
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.
As of February 3, 2025, CE Broker is the only CE tracking system approved by OPLC
CNA requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in New Hampshire
See how New Hampshire compares: CNA License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in New Hampshire.
CNA Schools in New Hampshire
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to New Hampshire? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your CNA license to New Hampshire →
Transfer your CNA license from New Hampshire to: Maine → | Massachusetts → | Vermont →
New Hampshire requires 100 hours of training and passage of the Excel Testing (exceltestingnh.com) 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.