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Certified Nursing Assistant
Total cost: $76
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
90 hrs
Training Hours
D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) for skills testing; PSI for written/oral testing
Exam Provider
$76
Total Initial Fees
Every 24 months
Renewal Period
12 hrs
CE Hours
At least 7 hours of paid employment providing nursing or nursing-related services in a licensed healthcare facility/agency over the last 24 months
Work Hours Req
Regulatory Information
VerifiedGoverning Authority
New Jersey Department of Health
(866) 561-5914
Program Approval Body
New Jersey Department of Health
State-Approved Training Program Required
Regulated by the New Jersey Department of Health
State-Approved Training Program
Training Hours Breakdown
90
Total Hours
50
Classroom
40
Clinical
Not specified
Skills Lab
Program Approval Body
New Jersey Department of Health
Topics Covered
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Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Written Exam
Available
Oral Exam Option
Required
Skills Evaluation
Exam Provider
D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) for skills testing; PSI for written/oral testing
Written Exam Details
60
Questions
90 min
Time Limit
75%
Passing Score
Skills Evaluation Details
5 randomly assigned skills, always including hand hygiene
Skills Tasks
30 min
Time Limit
Attempts Allowed
3
Retest Waiting Period
Up to 3 attempts within one year of training completion
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
60 questions
Time Limit
90 minutes
Passing Score
75%
Administered By
D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) for skills testing; PSI for written/oral testing
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $76Invest 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 | $575-$1,320 |
Competency Exam Fee Skills + Written exam $76; Skills + Oral exam $90; Skills retake $23; Written retake $53; Oral retake $67 | $76 |
State Registration Fee No separate state registration fee for initial certification | $0 |
Total Initial Fees Exam fees only (excludes training tuition and background check); $90 for oral exam option | $76 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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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
VerifiedEvery 24 months
Renewal Period
At least 7 hours of paid employment providing nursing or nursing-related services in a licensed healthcare facility/agency over the last 24 months
Work Requirement
12
In-Service/CE Hours
Renewal Fee
$30
Biennial renewal fee; in-person submission at PSI location
Inactive Reinstatement
Must complete a new training program and pass the competency exam if certification 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
Two routes available: Route 1 requires 24 hours of approved CEUs (12 Alzheimer's care + 12 other); Route 2 requires 35+ hours/week of CNA work in a nursing home in the last 24 months plus passing NJ skills and written/oral exams
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 Jersey with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
New Jersey uniquely uses two separate exam providers - Headmaster for skills testing and PSI for written/oral exams. The oral exam is available in both English and Spanish. Background check processing through IdentoGO can take up to 12 weeks. Reciprocity has two distinct routes with different requirements.
New Jersey requires 90 training hours (50 classroom + 40 clinical), above the 75-hour federal minimum
New Jersey uses TWO exam providers: Headmaster for skills testing and PSI for written/oral testing
Oral exams available in English and Spanish
Fingerprint-based background check through IdentoGO required; processing takes up to 12 weeks
Renewal requires only 7 hours of paid CNA work in 24 months (lower than federal 8-hour minimum)
The program is formally called NATCEP (Nurse Aide in Long Term Care Facilities Training and Competency Evaluation Program)
Contact: (866) 561-5914 or CNA@doh.nj.gov (include 'NATCEP' in subject line)
Skills testing contact: (877) 851-2355; Written testing contact: (877) 774-4243
There is no interstate compact for CNAs. Transfer between states requires reciprocity application to the new state's Nurse Aide Registry.
7 hours confirmed across multiple sources; claim about being below the federal minimum is accurate
CNA requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey (you) | $76 | 7–21 wks | |
| Connecticut | $118+ | 7–21 wks | → |
| Delaware | $115+ | 8–24 wks | → |
| New York | $115 | 7–21 wks | → |
| Pennsylvania | $157–$175 | 6–20 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in New Jersey
See how New Jersey compares: CNA License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Transferring Your License?
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in New Jersey.
CNA Schools in New Jersey
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to New Jersey? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your CNA license to New Jersey →
Transfer your CNA license from New Jersey to: Delaware → | New York → | Pennsylvania →
New Jersey requires 90 hours of training and passage of the D&S Diversified Technologies (Headmaster) for skills testing; PSI for written/oral testing competency exam to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. All certification is managed through the New Jersey Department of Health.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state Board of Nursing.